@Symphonyofflowers thanks for that! ive been dying to hear this song for the past 25yrs and it only dawned on me afew days ago to look it up on utube [...why didnt i think to do that before?-lol]. this is a gem and when i used to buy singles as a kid-teenager in the 80s,one of the first things i would do was play the b-side;and when an artist would put time and effort into recording a good quality b-side,it was a real buzz! i think it was their way of thanking fans for buying their singles.
I'm learning this song as part of a shanty repertoire (although it's not a shanty, strictly), and it's lovely to hear Kate singing it! My favourite traditional version is actually A.L.Lloyd on Blow Boys Blow...
As someone else said, it's a shame she missed out the second and last verses - I'll post them in a minute for completness (won't fit in one comment!)
Scratch that, it's a frigging masterpiece. Incredibly witty lyrics and I adore how the rest of the song, the melody of it, is so simple. Her voice is the carrying power. Genius songmaking!
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention recorded this after Zappa heard it on an LP of Sea Shanties by Ewan McColl on Topic circa 1965, I wonder if Ms Bush had the same LP. Zappa never released it during the time he recorded it, but its available on 'Lost Episodes' which came out a few years after he died.
Beefheart uses Zappa's riff on HCB on the song Electricity. I am keen to find out who came with the riff first.
Yes, Kate learned the song from Ewan MacColl,(the father of Kirsty MacColl, by the way). I don't know if she learned it from the same album. But Kate grew up with folk music, since her brothers were quite heavy into folk music in the sixties. Kate has said herself that the first songs she sang were sea shanties which she sang along with her brothers.
Excellent i must admit i havent seen a couple of these pics before the one at 1 min 20 1 min 36 and 1 min 50 great work again if u like can u do a video for Room For The Life or Rocket,s Tail Thank You.
Thank you! I had to search hard to find those pictures. I could send you a link if you want to.
I had thought about doing "Room For The Life" myself, but it will take some time. It's hard work making videos and now I have to relax a little. I also will be very busy the next one or two weeks. I will make more videos but I can't keep the same tempo as I have done until now.
Hello Appy. I have been thinking about it and I think I can make a video for "Rocket's Tail". I suddenly remembered I have a lot of pictures from the late 1980s I haven't used yet. Just give me a few days.
soy argentino y aca esta lleno de reggaton, gracias por revivir lo lindo de la musica
Mr19941994fernando 8 months ago
did kate write this song?
fergusil 8 months ago
@fergusil No, she didn't. It's an old folk song.
Symphonyofflowers 8 months ago
@Symphonyofflowers thanks for that! ive been dying to hear this song for the past 25yrs and it only dawned on me afew days ago to look it up on utube [...why didnt i think to do that before?-lol]. this is a gem and when i used to buy singles as a kid-teenager in the 80s,one of the first things i would do was play the b-side;and when an artist would put time and effort into recording a good quality b-side,it was a real buzz! i think it was their way of thanking fans for buying their singles.
fergusil 8 months ago
Last verse, which wraps it nicely, with a very funny line at the end...
So each man took his drop of rum and he drunk success to trade,
And likewise to the cabin boy who was neither man nor maid.
It's hoping the wars don't rise again, us sailors to destroy,
And here's hoping for a jolly lot more like the handsome cabin boy.
sandtreader 10 months ago
Missing second verse which explains the captain's wife's comment at the end!
The captain's wife she being on board, she seemed in great joy
To think her husband had engaged such a handsome cabin boy.
And now and then she slipped him a kiss, and she would have liked to toy,
But it was the captain found out the secret of the handsome cabin boy.
sandtreader 10 months ago
I'm learning this song as part of a shanty repertoire (although it's not a shanty, strictly), and it's lovely to hear Kate singing it! My favourite traditional version is actually A.L.Lloyd on Blow Boys Blow...
As someone else said, it's a shame she missed out the second and last verses - I'll post them in a minute for completness (won't fit in one comment!)
sandtreader 10 months ago
hey this reminds me sort of the book "the true confessions of charlotte doyle" by avi
poisonchihuahuas 11 months ago
Kate is simply amazing.I like her version best ;)
What a funny song :D
Sharmilka 11 months ago
spellbinding - is this on any of her albums?
gmimer 1 year ago
Wow !!!!!!! Never knew Kate was into Trad ...... I remember when I first heard this song on Martin'Carthy 's debut album .
THE WASTED SWELL OF PRETTY NELL , THE HANDSOME CABIN BOY !!!!!!!!!
MrPozzoz 1 year ago
Very, very beautiful. One of her best.
bukovoima 2 years ago 6
Scratch that, it's a frigging masterpiece. Incredibly witty lyrics and I adore how the rest of the song, the melody of it, is so simple. Her voice is the carrying power. Genius songmaking!
bukovoima 2 years ago 3
Actually, she didn't write the song herself. It's a traditional Irish folk song.
Symphonyofflowers 2 years ago 2
Well, that doesn't really matter, does it? It's still a magnificent song, still has incredibly witty lyrics and it's still one of her best.
bukovoima 2 years ago 2
Wow!
KateBushRox 2 years ago
Kate is beautiful and i love her :3
victorfreitas 2 years ago 2
I do not have this song in my discography, it(she) is beautiful...
gonzalorodriguez72 2 years ago
Ewan McColl is old time. Kate Rusby is the only English traditional singer that I can handle, and not for very long.
Kate Bush is the closest thing to a divine creature that this world can offer. Consider that.
AugustusLarch 2 years ago 11
@AugustusLarch I agree, I love both Rusby and Bush, but Bush has to beat Rusby :)
TheHorrocksSmile 1 year ago
nice
Leojoris 2 years ago
Haunting and fantastic; I have the vinyl somewhere ! Thanks for posting.
Caledonian86224 3 years ago
You're welcome.
Symphonyofflowers 3 years ago
I kind of like Jerry Garcia/David Grisman's version better.
xzonisx 3 years ago
It makes my heart quiet & clear.
alice4avant4garde 3 years ago 3
Spine tingling song. There are actually two other written verses that Kate doesn't include. But it is still marvelous performance.
soundzok 3 years ago
Not to take anythinga way from Kate's version, but the meaning of the song is changed significantly by the omission of the seond and last verses.
The original being much more uplifitng and profoundly positive as a result.
Klaa2 2 years ago
thanx a lot for posting!
Weibsvoice 3 years ago
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention recorded this after Zappa heard it on an LP of Sea Shanties by Ewan McColl on Topic circa 1965, I wonder if Ms Bush had the same LP. Zappa never released it during the time he recorded it, but its available on 'Lost Episodes' which came out a few years after he died.
Beefheart uses Zappa's riff on HCB on the song Electricity. I am keen to find out who came with the riff first.
deepindercheema 3 years ago
Yes, Kate learned the song from Ewan MacColl,(the father of Kirsty MacColl, by the way). I don't know if she learned it from the same album. But Kate grew up with folk music, since her brothers were quite heavy into folk music in the sixties. Kate has said herself that the first songs she sang were sea shanties which she sang along with her brothers.
Symphonyofflowers 3 years ago
Is this performance available on any commercially release?
I must have it. Not on iTunes.
Must check eBay for vinyl...
terrapanda 4 years ago
You can find it on the "This Woman's Work" box set. It's on one of the two bonus discs there.
Symphonyofflowers 4 years ago
Excellent i must admit i havent seen a couple of these pics before the one at 1 min 20 1 min 36 and 1 min 50 great work again if u like can u do a video for Room For The Life or Rocket,s Tail Thank You.
appy51 4 years ago
Thank you! I had to search hard to find those pictures. I could send you a link if you want to.
I had thought about doing "Room For The Life" myself, but it will take some time. It's hard work making videos and now I have to relax a little. I also will be very busy the next one or two weeks. I will make more videos but I can't keep the same tempo as I have done until now.
Symphonyofflowers 4 years ago
Hello Appy. I have been thinking about it and I think I can make a video for "Rocket's Tail". I suddenly remembered I have a lot of pictures from the late 1980s I haven't used yet. Just give me a few days.
Symphonyofflowers 4 years ago
absolutely gr8
brilliant video yet again
lovely piccys
ur very talented
xXxMysticalMoonxXx 4 years ago
Thank you very much! I only try to do my best and find pictures that suit the song.
Symphonyofflowers 4 years ago
well u doing brillianty
its wonderful
xXxMysticalMoonxXx 4 years ago