Devon Songs (recorded 2018)

by Alan Courtney

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

1.
Port of Appledore 05:14
lyrics
buy track
1. Dawn it comes creeping from out of the darkness The world still lies sleeping away The daylight is filtered through misty greyness And all that was clear fades away And out of the shadows come shapes of the rail Of the mast and the rigging the of the nets and the sails And we feel the chill of the day 2. The harsh laugh of gulls echoes clear in the shallows The coldest of mornings is here The mist on the river brings shapes in the shadows That fill all us sailors with fear We know all the perils of the journey ahead As out to the ocean we steer Chorus As we long for home once more In the port of Appledore 3. This hard winter’s morning out past the Burrows The small ship sails high on the tide Our reddened hands bleeding from hard frosty ropes Already half blinded by spray Ands behind us are wheeling the merciless gulls Watching like hawks for their prey Chorus 4. And it’s far from the harbour, far out to sea Drifting with aching hearts Tossed on the ocean, far from the shore The stars and the moon far apart And out there past Lundy the sea it is raging Already we feel like lost men
2.
The Lydford Watchmaker 03:34
lyrics
buy track
Don't you cry don’t you frown as his time it runs down Be you journeyman ploughman or baker You bold men of Devon from country or town Drink a health to George Routleigh watchmaker I’ll sing you this song if you’ll hear of his fame His town it was Lydford, George Routleigh his name Time’s been his life as he helped time to run As he worked as the Lydford watchmaker When he was new made his movement was fast His hands never stopped as the hours they flew past Without care as the sands of his youth ran away Never stopping to think of the future Don't you cry don’t you frown as his time it runs down Be you journeyman ploughman or baker You bold men of Devon from country or town Drink a health to George Routleigh watchmaker But after the passing of youth’s brittle years He learned of the meaning of other men’s fears His days they slipped past at slower pace now And prudence was his regulator So calmly time glided he never went wrong True was his life’s rhythm with joy in his song Except when he was set going by those who knew and cared not for his key Don't you cry don’t you frown as his time it runs down Be you journeyman ploughman or baker You bold men of Devon from country or town Drink a health to George Routleigh watchmaker He is an old man now his song it is sung His movement is rusty his mainspring is sprung His hands go but slowly his case it is scratched He knows he is running down truly But though in the churchyard his case will be laid When his hands they are stopped he will not be afraid He knows he’ll be wound up and taken in hand In the next world was he meets his maker Don't you cry don’t you frown as his time it runs down Be you journeyman ploughman or baker You bold men of Devon from country or town Drink a health to George Routleigh watchmaker
3.
Down in the diving bell 03:14
lyrics
buy track
I courted a pretty little mermaid and to kiss her was my wish But like a little ale she slipped away and I never hear from that fish Her mother brought her back again - she did look so pale Tis a very funny thing that that mermaid would shake hands with her tail Down in the diving bell at the bottom of the sea That is the place for the fishes I can see Down in the diving bell at the bottom of the sea Pretty little mermaid, pretty little mermaid came a’ courting me Now down in the diving bell you’ll see things make you laugh The clothes lines were all made out of the Atlantic telegraph Down in the diving bell at the bottom of the sea All though those clothes was never dry twas a very fine place to be Down in the diving bell at the bottom of the sea That is the place for the fishes I can see Down in the diving bell at the bottom of the sea Pretty little mermaid, pretty little mermaid came a’ courting me Now the church that we got married in was made of oyster shells The crabfish wore the cap and gown, the lobster tolled the bell Down in the diving bell at the bottom of the sea Pretty little mermaid, pretty little mermaid came and married me Down in the diving bell at the bottom of the sea That is the place for the fishes I can see Down in the diving bell at the bottom of the sea Pretty little mermaid, pretty little mermaid came a’ courting me Down in the diving bell at the bottom of the sea Pretty little mermaid, pretty little mermaid came and married me
4.
Bideford Quay 05:25
info
buy track
5.
The Bellringing 03:48
lyrics
buy track
One day in October, neither drunken nor sober,
O'er Broadbury Down I was wending my way,
When I heard of some ringing, some dancing and singing.
I ought to remember that Jubilee day.
T'was in Ashwater Town, the bells they did sound,
They rang for a belt and a hat laced with gold,
But the men of Northlew rang so steady and true,
that there never were better in Devon I hold. T'was misunderstood, for the men of Broadwood,
gave a blow on the tenor should never have been.
But the men of Northlew rang so faultlessy true,
A difficult matter to beat them I ween
T'was in Ashwater Town, the bells they did sound,
They rang for a belt and a hat laced with gold,
But the men of Northlew rang so steady and true,
that there never were better in Devon I hold. They of Broadwood being naughty, then said to our party,
We'll ring you a challenge again in a round.
We'll give you the chance at St Stephen's or Launceston,
The prize to the winners being a note of five pound. T'was in Ashwater Town, the bells they did sound,
They rang for a belt and a hat laced with gold,
But the men of Northlew rang so steady and true,
that there never were better in Devon I hold When the match it came on, at good Callington.
The bells they rang out o'er the valleys below.
Then the old and young peoble, the hale and the feeble.
They came out to hear the sweet bell music flow. T'was at Callington Town, the bells they did sound,
They rang for a belt and a hat laced with gold,
But the men of Northlew rang so steady and true,
that there never were better in Devon I hold. Those of Broadwood once more, were obliged to give o'er.
They were beaten completely and done in a round.
For the men of Northlew pulled so steady and true
That no better than they in the West could be found.
6.
The Ballad of Theoodore Veale 04:40
info
buy track
7.
Captain Morgan 05:04
info
buy track
8.
Adam was a poacher 03:32
lyrics
buy track
Adam was a poacher went out one day at fall To catch a hare for hunting and eating bones and all To catch a hare for hunting and eating bones and all In the sun having fun old Adam he did lay Oh hare it is good eating old Adam he did say In the sun having fun old Adam he did lay Oh hare it is good eating old Adam he did say A keeper that was passing in shadows he was there Hoped to find a poacher hunting for the hare Hoped to find a poacher hunting for the hare In the sun having fun old Adam he did lay Oh hare it is good eating old Adam he did say In the sun having fun old Adam he did lay Oh hare it is good eating old Adam he did say Adam at the hunting trying not to breathe Keeping all his tools and traps hidden up his sleeve Keeping all his tools and traps hidden up his sleeve In the sun having fun old Adam he did lay Oh hare it is good eating old Adam he did say In the sun having fun old Adam he did lay Oh hare it is good eating old Adam he did say That keeper who was standing slyly in the brake Saw Adam with his springle - proceeded both to take Saw Adam with his springle - proceeded both to take Caught red handed now in prison Adam groaning lay Oh hare it is good eating but not for him today Hare not his in prison grey old Adam groaning lay Oh hare it is good eating but not for him today Old Adam was a a poacher - went out one day at fall Went out that morning looking big but came back looking small
9.
Widecombe Fair 03:41
lyrics
buy track
It was early dawn when we met out on the hillside On our way to Widdecombe Fair To drink ourselves dry make a big noise there Six Devon lads with a younger boy Whose mother had said "Promise me now you'll watch for him. He's never slept out of home before And you know too well there'll be trouble in store" I gave her my word and we crossed the moor It was growing dark, we stopped at the inn, when we saw her, Fair-faced in the candle-light, Such a fine sight with her long black hair Young Billy stared and she stared right back but the landlord said she's spoken for Billy said leave me here alone, I'll meet you tomorrow On your way back home, at the cross-ways, At noon on the Whiddon Down Road You go and I'll stay, you boys go and I'll stay I said take my watch and my chain, we all hit the road again Four miles to the fairground, we had a fine time there Next day came, we waited in the rain At the crossroads, but the boy never came. I said you go ahead, I returned to the inn But the landlord said that the last thing seen was a Boy and a girl out on the moor that was all he knew , and he showed me the door I called and I cried God knows I tried. Until the long night came, his mother flew at me, She called me names, scratched my face, Said I was too blame, and asked would She ever see her sweet sweet son again Well a year went by without one sign, I'm back at the inn to see what I'd find And the wind whistled cold on the moor that night, I thought I saw a couple in the pale moonlight, The landlord said it's you again, from his pocket hung down my watch and chain. Tom I sat down on a stone and I cried Knowing full well that the young lad died. Tom Tom lend me your grey mare, I want to go back to Widdecombe fair With Bill and Jan, Peter and Dan, Harry and Pete, on the moors we'll meet. All along down along out along lee All along down along out along lee
10.
Sally Free and Easy 03:20
lyrics
buy track
Sally free and easy, that should be her name
Sally free and easy, that should be her name
Took a sailor's loving for a nurs'ry game Well, the heart she gave me wasn't made of stone
No, the heart she gave me wasn't made of stone
It was sweet and hollow like a honeycomb Think I'll wait till sunset, see the ensign down
Yes I'll wait till sunset, see the ensign down
Then I'll take the tideway to my burial ground Sally free and easy, that should be her name
Sally free and easy, that should be her name
When my body's landed hope she dies of shame
11.
Rouse rouse 03:15
lyrics
buy track
Rouse rouse from your slumbers, prepare a glad voice And join with the number that now do rejoice Rouse rouse from your slumbers, prepare a glad voice And join with the number that now do rejoice No longer be silent and now join with them Hark! Angels are bringing Hark! Angels are bringing Hark! Angels are bringing glad tidings to men What blissful glad tidings are those that we hear? Rejoicing, harmonious that sounds from the sphere What blissful glad tidings are those that we hear? Rejoicing, harmonious that sounds from the sphere ’Tis music transporting, cherubic, profound Creation’s vast circuit Creation’s vast circuit Creation’s vast circuit it echoes around Hark! Hark to the chorus, salvation to men, To those humble shepherd that dwell on the plain Hark! Hark to the chorus, salvation to men, To those humble shepherd that dwell on the plain ’Tis Jesus the saviour, come see where he’s born In Bethlehem city In Bethlehem city In Bethlehem city on this happy morn Then straightway these shepherds to Bethlehem steered Mysteriously led by a star that appeared Then straightway these shepherds to Bethlehem steered Mysteriously led by a star that appeared Then Joseph and Mary they saw with surprise And laid in a manger And laid in a manger And laid in a manger the King of the Skies Rouse rouse from your slumbers, prepare a glad voice And join with the number that now do rejoice Rouse rouse from your slumbers, prepare a glad voice And join with the number that now do rejoice No longer be silent and now join with them Hark! Angels are bringing Hark! Angels are bringing Hark! Angels are bringing glad tidings to men
12.
Soon after look for rain 02:34
info
buy track
13.
Cold Lady 05:21
lyrics
buy track
In the streets of the town where I ran as a child, Most houses were broken and the weeds they grew wild And the cranes in the dockyard ran idle and still And I looked for a job but I found none So I left all my friends and I joined the navy For five years I’d sail and the world I would see A trade and good craic all was in it for me And I never once thought of the Argie In the raw and the cold south Atlantic Sea Twas there I met the Cold Lady Well we had our good times when we went on shore leave From Plymouth to Gib, Singapore and Pompey Never watching the years pass on by before me Never thought I might fight with Argie But when the Falkland war came to the islands we sailed It was called a just war when the talking had failed It was there without warning the missile blast came And we most of us met the Cold Lady Well they found and they saved us and back home we came The newshounds kept asking us who was to blame And I no longer felt like I wanted to sail So I looked for a job but I found none So now as I stand at the top of the town Before me the dockland waste stretches on down And I think now I’m idle of the lads that went down Who met and who walked with the lady
14.
Tavistock Goosey Fair 03:07
lyrics
buy track
'Tis just a month come Friday next, Bill Champerdown and me Us traipsed across old Darty Moor, the Goosey Fair to see Us made ourselves quite fitty, us greased and oiled our hair Then off us goes in our Sunday clothes behind old Bill's grey mare Us smelled the sage and onion 'alf a mile from Whitchurch Down And didn't us 'ave a blow out when us come into the town And there us met Ned Hannoford, Jan Squire and Nicky Stewer And it seemed to we, that half of Devon was to Tavistock Goosey Fair And its oh, and where be a-going And what be a-doing of there Lay down your prong and stamp along To Tavistock Goosey Fair Us went to see the 'orses and the 'effers and the yews Us went on all them roundabouts and then us saw the shows And then it started raining and blowing in our face So we went down down to the Rose & Crown to 'ave a dish of tay And then us had a sing song and the folks kept dropping in And what with then that knows us, well, us had a drop of gin And what with one an' t'other, us didn't seem to care Whether us was to Bellever Tor or Tavistock Goosey Fair And its oh, and where be a-going And what be a-doing of there Lay down your prong and stamp along To Tavistock Goosey Fair 'Twere raining streams and dark as pitch when us trotted 'ome that night An' when us got past Merrivale Bridge, th’old mare, 'er took a fright Says I to Bill, "Be careful, you'll 'ave us in them drains" Says 'e to me, "Cor bugger, why 'aven't you got the reins?" Just then the mare ran slap into a whacking gert great stone 'Er kicked the trap to flibbits and 'er trotted off alone And when it come to reckoning, 'tweren't no use standing there Us 'ad to traipse 'ome thirteen mile from Tavistock Goosey Fair And its oh, and where be a-going And what be a-doing of there Lay down your prong and stamp along To Tavistock Goosey Fair

about

I wondered what to do to mark 50 years of singing folk music in clubs and elsewhere and decided to go back to where I started in North Devon, to develop an album and a show of songs of Devon. The album is a mix of well known Devon songs, and others i have written about people, places and events that have touched and shaped me over the years.

All songs and music by Alan Courtney, who sang all vocals and played acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, bass and keyboards.

credits

released May 24, 2020

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Alan Courtney image

Alan Courtney England, UK

I've decided to collect here all my solo recordings from 2002 onwards, when I left my job and started to work for myself.

I was born and raised in Devon, but have lived the last 40 years in Malvern. I've played folk music in clubs, sessions, festivals etc since the age of 15.
I played in rock n blues, then folk bands Malthouse Passage and Set em up Joe. I've recorded many albums showcased here ... more

contact / help

Contact Alan Courtney

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Alan Courtney, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now