JOHN JACK/REDESDALE (Hornpipe Macabre)
Rudy Sunde/Trad.
Main Vocal, Sam
Another song of the coastal trading ships that kept New Zealand supplied through the 19th Century. This one has a cold and wintery feel to it and ends tragically as the 'Eliza Simms' and her crew vanish into the vast ocean, leaving no trace. We always play it out with the traditional hornpipe 'Redesdale' to give a 'sad but jaunty' feel to the song.
Rudy Sunde was as good a writer of New Zealand folk songs as there's ever been. He and Stefan Clist struck up a friendship before Rudy passed away and his songs have been a huge inspiration to us. We have made every possible attempt to trace his estate in order that royalties can be paid on both the songs of his that we've used on this album, but without success. Even the folks at APRA couldn't help, though they told us that we're not the first people to ask. If anyone knows of Rudy's next of kin then we'd urge them to contact APRA in order that we can sort out the details.
lyrics
John Jack, John Jack, tell me where you're sailing.
Wild West Coast, Wild West Coast, Greymouth Town me darlin'.
Greymouth Town me darlin'.
John Jack, John Jack, tell me what's your cargo.
Flour and beer and tea and such, minor stores me darlin'
minor stores me darlin'
John Jack, John Jack, when are you departing?
19th June, 19th June, a Winter's trip me darlin'
Winter's trip me darlin'
John Jack, John Jack, the ship is heavy laden,
Cargo hold's all battened down, there's no more room me darlin'
no more room me darlin'
John Jack, John Jack, the shortest day she's close now.
Short along, we're outward bound, outward bound me darlin'
outward bound me darlin'
John Jack, John Jack, the sea is getting gloomy
Roaring Forties mighty strong, it's too strong me darlin'
too strong me darlin'
John Jack, John Jack, where are you my darlin'?
Eliza Simms is lost at sea, it's fare thee well me darlin'
fare thee well me darlin'
credits
from Laugh While You May,
released June 19, 2021
Sammy Leary - Vocals, Guitar, Lagerphone
Helen Cobbett - Backing Vocals, Bodrahn
Ben Cobbett - Backing Vocals, Fiddle, Banjolin
Alan Knight - Backing Vocals, Bouzouki
Andy Spence - Backing Vocals
Traditional folk music and field recordings meld into fascinating long-form sound collages on the new LP from Shovel Dance Collective. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 6, 2022
Scottish harpist and singer Rachel Newton brings an innovative, intensely emotional touch to traditional music on this dreamy LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 17, 2020
The Alabama duo's fifth album exults in dusty Americana, showcasing rich vocal harmonies alongside blissful folk instrumentation. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 31, 2024
More contemplative folk from the Minnesota singer-songwriter, sustained by raw full-band arrangements and philosophical lyrics. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 28, 2024
Irish singer-songwriter Oisin Leech's acoustic folk music is characterized by its muted beauty and intimate, solitary quality. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 16, 2024