Lyrics – Late American Civil War composer and songwriter Henry Clay Work(1832 – 1884). Vocals – Late American country singer-songwriter John R. Cash. (1932 – 2003).
According to folklore this famous song ‘My Grandfather Clock’ was inspired by a clock at The George Hotel, in the village of Piercebridge, latter located in the borough of Darlington in County Durham, England. The hotel in past times was a wayfarers’ inn and was owned and operated by two Jenkins brothers. In the lobby of the Inn was a longcase tall weight driven pendulum clock, which kept perfect time, until one of the brothers passed away. Following his passing the clock began to lose time at an increasing rate, despite the best efforts of a local clockmaker to repair it. When the second brother died, the clock stopped suddenly and completely, never to work again.
It is understood that in 1875 the songwriter, Henry Clay Work, visited the George Hotel, and having listened to the tale of the clock from various employees and locals, he composed this song ‘My Grandfathers Clock’.
We also learn from folklore that the clock appears to recognise both the good and bad events in this grandfather’s life; it rings 24 chimes when the grandfather brings his bride into his house, and near his death it rings out an alarm, which the family recognize as meaning that the old grandfather is near death, and so they gather around his bed side. After the grandfather dies, the clock suddenly stops, and never works again.
My Grandfather’s Clock
My grandfather’s clock was too large for the shelf, So it stood ninety years on the floor; It was taller by half, than the old man himself, Though it weighed not a pennyweight more. It was bought on the morn, of the day that he was born, And was always his treasure and pride, But it stopped short, never to go again, When the old man died.
Ninety years without slumbering, his life seconds numbering, It stopped, short, never to go again, When the old man died.
My grandfather said, that of those he could hire, Not a servant so faithful he found, For it wasted no time and had but one desire, At the close of each week to be wound, And it kept in its place, not a frown upon its face, And its hand never hung by its side, But it stopped, short, never to go again, When the old man died.
It rang an alarm, in the dead of the night, An alarm that for years had been dumb, And we knew that his spirit, was pluming for flight, That his hour for departure had come. Still the clock kept the time, with a soft and muffled chime, As we silently stood by his side. But it stopped, short, never to go again, When the old man died.
Ninety years without slumbering, his life seconds numbering, It stopped, short, never to go again, When the old man died. [Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick……..]
Lonely: Defined as sad because a person has no friends or company. Homeless: Defined as being without a home, and therefore typically residing on the street.
Streets of London
Lyrics and Vocals: English singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist Ralph McTell.
Streets of London
Have you seen the old man in a closed-down market? Kicking up the paper with his worn out shoes. In his eyes, you see no pride and held loosely at his side, Yesterday’s paper telling yesterday’s news. Chorus: So, how can you tell me you’re lonely and say for you that the sun don’t shine? Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London. I’ll show you something to make you change your mind.
Have you seen the old girl who walks the streets of London? Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags. She’s no time for talking, she just keeps right on walking, Carrying her home in two carrier bags. Repeat Chorus:
In the all night café at a quarter past eleven, Same old man sitting there on his own. Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup. And each tea lasts an hour and he wanders home alone. Repeat Chorus:
Have you seen the old man outside the seaman’s mission? Memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears. And in our winter city the rain cries a little pity, For one more forgotten hero and a world that doesn’t care. Repeat Chorus:
An extract from the poem ‘HUMANITAD’* by Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, (1854 – 1900). [* From the Latin word meaning “Human Nature”.]
Cowslips, Co. Tipperary. Pic. G. Willoughby.
HUMANITAD
Full winter: and the lusty goodman brings His load of faggots from the chilly byre, And stamps his feet upon the hearth, and flings The sappy billets on the waning fire, And laughs to see the sudden lightening scare His children at their play, and yet, – the spring is in the air; Already the slim crocus stirs the snow, And soon yon blanched fields will bloom again With nodding cowslips for some lad to mow, For with the first warm kisses of the rain The winter’s icy sorrow breaks to tears, And the brown thrushes mate, and with bright eyes the rabbit peers.
Wishing all our readers, both at home and abroad, a very Happy Easter Holiday.
Lord I Hope This Day Is Good.
Lyrics: Song writer David Hanner, latter a member of The Corbin Hanner Band.
Vocals: American country music singer, songwriter the late Don Ray Williams(1939 – 2017).
Lord I Hope This Day Is Good.
Lord, I hope this day is good. I’m feelin’ empty and misunderstood. I should be thankful, Lord, I know I should, But Lord I hope this day is good. Lord, have you forgotten me. I’ve been prayin’ to you faithfully. I’m not sayin’ I’m a righteous man, But Lord I hope you understand. I don’t need fortune and I don’t need fame. Send down the thunder, Lord, send down the rain, But when you’re plannin’ just how it will be Plan a good day for me. Lord, I hope this day is good. I’m feelin’ empty and misunderstood. I should be thankful, Lord, I know I should, But Lord I hope this day is good. You’ve been the King since the dawn of time. All that I’m askin’ is a little less crime. It might be hard for the devil to do, But it would be easy for you. Lord, I hope this day is good. I’m feelin’ empty and misunderstood. I should be thankful, Lord, I know I should, But Lord I hope this day is good.
Vocals: American singer-songwriter Alan Jackson. Lyrics: Songwriter: American evangelist and song-leader George Bennard(1873–1958).
The Old Rugged Cross.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame. And I love that old cross where the dearest and best, For a world of lost sinners was slain. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true, It’s shame and reproach gladly bear. Then he’ll call me some day to my home far away, Where his glory forever I’ll share. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down. And I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown. I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown.
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