A Place In The Choir - Beggars Mantle (Bill Staines)

1986 0722 This song was a favourite in Beggars Mantle live appearances and recorded on their long unavailable album, "Home That I Love". This clip is from a session of songs recorded as "inserts" for the Border TV "Look Around" news magazine programme on 22nd July 1986. They're accompanied here on the Bass Guitar by Lorenz Cairns.

Beggars Mantle were a folk duo from Fife, working between 1983 and 1989 when Bruce Davies and Bill McArthur agreed to end their partnership. During their career, they did much TV work for STV, Grampian and Border. The broke up amicably at the end of 1989, Bruce to pursue a solo career and Bill to form Crann Tara, which he performed with until his death in 2002.

www.brucedavies.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• www.brucedavies.com
• All God's Creatures
• A Place In The Choir
• Beggars Mantle
• Bill Staines
• Bill McArthur
• Bruce Davies
• Border TV

[beggarsmantle]

Hi Martin, Thank you for your comment. As the song says, "All God's creatures got a place in the choir" and, although the Makem & Clancy version is a favourite of mine, too (as is the version by Bill Staines, the writer of the song), I've been happy to know that many people have enjoyed our version of the song so, I think that we have our "place in choir", too. I'm delighted that, at nine years old, you are as interested in music as you are and wish you all the best. Bruce

[mtischler1]

Hi Bruce! Thanks so much for your quick response. I'm not very computer literate and only recently started exploring these sites. I'm 65 and - uh - "old dogs-new tricks", you know. So sorry for Bill's passing. Leaves a hole in our lives that unconcollable. I will check out these other recordings. Have you a CD available? Peace, my friend. Sincerest condolensces and the best of wishes.

[beggarsmantle]

Hi Mike. Thanks again. I have CDs available on my website, which is noted in the video description. I'd be glad to hear from you. All the best, Bruce

[mtischler1]

Beautifully done, group. I played this song to a children's church, taught them the chorus and they went around singing it. You have a great group. Mike

[beggarsmantle]

Hi Mike and thanks for your comment. As you'll see from the date (and fashions) of the recording, this clip is quite old and, sad to say, my partner, Bill (with the white cap) died in November 2002. Although we parted company as a duo in 1990, he always remained one of my closest friends and is still missed by me and all those whose lives he touched. Hope you might enjoy some of the other Beggars Mantle and Bruce Davies videos. All the best Bruce

[beggarsmantle]

We first heard it sung by Tommy Makem & Liam Clancy. Their version encouraged me to find Bill's recordings, not an easy thing to do in Scotland! I'm glad I persevered - he is a great writer and, as I said in a previous comment, a wonderful man, too. I'll never forget the night we worked together (or the plate of Notorious Nachos we shared after the gig at Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem, PA.

[00martin1]

booooooooooooooooooooooooo im nine and these are worse pepole ive saw ever my fave are the clancys and tommy

[Right1025]

i have 2 sing this song 4 my assembaly

[mtischler1]

Great song-great performance. Awaiting your CD's on the edge of my seat. Have you eer heard the song that starts: "See the lonely old men playin' draughts 'round the tree, in the square of the village of Brambleshirewood andthe care free young boys playin' ball 'round those men...?" I heard it last about 50 years ago by Jimmy MGregor, I believe. Have you recorded this, by chance? Love your work. Mike (USA).

[rstidyman]

I learned this song in 1979...from Bill Staines. He was a guest artist on the SChooner Lewis R. French. I was a deck hand and every night he and a friend would serenade us and teach us songs and even how to yodle.