Sir Patrick Spens (Traditional Sea Song)

Like most songs from my past I thought I knew this one but it keeps catching me out. So four takes later and sore fingers from practice, this is the best it gets I'm afraid. I learned this from a Nic Jones Album. Nic was, and is, an absolute giant in the English folk tradition. An exceptional guitarist and interpreter of English traditional song.

[@colscols]

Thanks for the songs utube would not be the same without you. Respect !

[@uzbegh]

Many of my friend said this was a perfect beach comber's song. If you ever make it Clearwater you may just here it being played. Best wishes mate.

[@Deebemc]

As a wee Scottish schoolboy, I had to learn this auld ballad. I loved the Corries and Barbara Dickson 's versions. Now hearing Nic's highly original rendition covered by Martin Simpson and very beautifully by yourself, makes this ballad of courtly intrigue a brilliantly coloured thing indeed. Well played, sir!

[@bobdwilliams]

first time I heard this was on a Nic Jones LP Awesome job, thanks for posting this

[@fortlee3]

Superb interpretation, sir. Well done.

[@DeLorean4]

I really like your interpretations of each song, having my name in any of them just makes them better :P

[@tommysuet]

I've always loved this song - Well played!

[@whistler8]

enjoyed it thoroughly! Congratulations!

[@ichingiching]

quite the opposite.. I love any snippet of information that expands or enriches my understanding of a song.. I enjoyed reading through the Scottish version.. cheers and thanks.. Mike

[@MrDazvid]

This is a lovely song made more enjoyable by your fine singing and playing, thankyou.

[@DeLorean4]

I was looking for a song with my name in it and surely enough, here's one! Very well played! Kudos from Patrick Leclerc :)

[@Goddess-of-Beer]

I've first learned about this song in my British Culture class. Lovely lyrics. You have an amazing voice sir!

[@frankflanagan3583]

It is Celtic Scots, no British

[@Goddess-of-Beer]

@@frankflanagan3583 I didn't say it was, but thanks for the info.

[@ichingiching]

Hi Claire, thanks for dropping me a note. I've just looked at your songs.. really good selection. M:)

[@luisespejel]

great song and very nice played

[@ichingiching]

thanks for enriching my understanding of the song.. it really has evoked a lot of interest.. cheers M

[@freenoswal]

Hi ichingiching Joe Here, I love this version, cheers!

[@ichingiching]

thanks for dropping in .. cheers

[@ichingiching]

That's a lovely post and colourful in itself.. when I taught art I always encouraged students to explore variations on a theme.. and ever thus with musical interpretations.. all are right, all are different and none are ever wrong.. thank you for your note and kind words..

[@freenoswal]

ichingiching this is still one of my favourites 5*****

[@shiner501]

i had to work on this in english class this week and my group took it apart and paraphrased it and everything

[@ichingiching]

thank you.. and for writing.. cheers Mike

[@ichingiching]

Hi flacadkna.. thanks for dropping in.. regards Mike

[@ichingiching]

this song is really growing as a historical document.. I'm going to take time out and really find out more about the history.. fascinating.. Thanks, Mike

[@uzbegh]

Cool, I want to learn this song as well.

[@ichingiching]

Thanks have you got any views or information you could post.. Its always good to get more information about a song or the history it represents.. Thanks Mike

[@ichingiching]

thank you, enjoy your playing.. m:)

[@ichingiching]

Hi Vishnu, yes its DADGAD. As Bob mentioned, I took it off a Nic Jones Album years ago. He was a fantastic English traditional acoustic singer and guitarist. He's still remains a giant amongst English folk although a car crash some years ago left him unable to perform. He is one of my all time hero's.

[@ichingiching]

love it..

[@ichingiching]

Thanks b0dhran.. you look like your haveing fun at your sessions..

[@FIFER777]

Mike, What I make of this is probably not 100per cent but it is roughly this:- Richt laich very reluctant : Weet their cork heeled schoone:- get their corked heeled shoes wet : Bot lang owre a the play were played:-But long after the scenario of the sinking was over : Thair hats they swam aboone:- their hats floated above them. This may not be exact but I believe it is very nearly there. Thanks again for your reply

[@ichingiching]

thats kind.. many thanks.. mike

[@ichingiching]

Hi Colscols I'm picking my mail up in NZ. Thanks for the comments, you made my day. M

[@STEFYRED]

Try to listen , " In search of Nic Jones " produced from tapes recorded live in Italy before his car accident. I was glad to be part of sending one tapes to Nic's wife supporting her with the true friendship and care of what Nic left behind .

[@ichingiching]

just dropped you a note.. hope your playing and singing.. record more songs.. !

[@ichingiching]

Many thanks.. M

[@ichingiching]

thanks joe..

[@ichingiching]

Glad you liked it. I'll look out for more.. lol Cheers M:)

[@Sumer61]

you are very talented on the guitar and voice. I would love to jam with you.

[@ichingiching]

cheers .. never knew that..

[@ichingiching]

Nick Drake was a one off.. and a brilliant creative songwriter.. its not really a 'main stream' folk song.. how did she get to know it..? its a fine song.. cheers Mike

[@lolsing8836]

Hello

[@OK0088]

Ahhh, this DADGAD with an offscreen capo on 2nd right? By my working I ended up with EBEABE (tuning 4th and 5th strings up a tone made me very nervous!!) Anyway, great song, awesome performance!

[@ichingiching]

thats kind..cheers

[@ichingiching]

that would be fun... i'll book a flight.. lol..

[@ichingiching]

Thank you,, DADGAD

[@FIFER777]

When are you going to sing this one in the original Scots tongue? I believe you would make a good job of it

[@ichingiching]

Thanks FIRER.... and how would you translate "O our Scots nobles wer richt laith To weet their cork-heild schoone; Bot lang owre a' the play were playd, Thair hats they swam aboone"

[@ichingiching]

go for it

[@ichingiching]

thanks for that.. is it not a ballad about the sea? best wishes M:)

[@ichingiching]

lol.. it would make me nervous too.. yes its DADGAD.. capo 2.. regards Mike

[@robertquackenbush4334]

Uzbegh here. You still kickin mate? It been 11 years. 11. Fuck all. I love you.

[@shiner501]

i got so much on it. i will update it this week for you by friday keep looking. in your inbox

[@ichingiching]

interested to know if what you found out about the song.. m

[@titus4434]

When will you make a tutorial??

[@ichingiching]

Hi Alex.. this one would be quite tricky.. it's in dadgad and so the style would be complicated..

[@ichingiching]

I think I would get banned from Scotland if i tried.. .. ! (although I did work in Ayr for three seasons when I was a student.. should have picked up some intonation then.. )

[@FIFER777]

You are welcome, just one snippet of information in my vast pool of useless information. Seriously though, if you want the correct words go into Google and type in Scottish Version of Sir Patrick Spens Its at the top and titled--Traditional Scottish Songs. You will see that the last verse is more appropriate when it says Wi the Scots Lords at his feit

[@MrTichthomas]

you play all the same shit as me i love you to bits X

[@ichingiching]

its in DADGAD tuning.. thats a start.. M

[@alderneyfred]

No, it's not a sea-song ! It's a ballad ( International Society of Pedants ). But good, though.

[@FIFER777]

Its Aberdour not Aberdeen