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Poor Old Horse
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CBC Folk Challenge April 2013
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Trash-pop, guitar rock and melodic miscellany.
Not so much a band as a bloke with a guitar and a laptop, The Smivets deliver a genre-bending blend of pop, rock, punk, prog and many other monosyllables.
Song Info
Genre
Rock • Folk Rock
Charts
Peak #45
Peak in subgenre #8
Author
Traditional
Uploaded
April 20, 2013
Track Files
MP3
MP3 4.0 MB • 128 kbps • 4:24
Story behind the song
When I were a lad, the best thing on a Friday night was the local folk club, where strange and rather elderly men all wearing what looked like fisherman's kit (we were many leagues from the sea) would sing often ribald songs and twang away on guitars as loud as they could. It was also a good excuse to consume lots of Double Maxim and no-one checked your age too closely hehe. This was one of my favourites - made famous by The Albion Band whose arrangement I have borrowed. Apparently a traditional shanty, but some of the verses (Sally in the garden etc) reveal that perhaps the sailors' concentration sometimes drifted from their work a little. Anyway a great tune and hearty thanks to Jude and Bobby at the CBC for setting the folk music challenge so I could revive it.
Lyrics
They say, old man, your horse will die (And they say so, and we hope so) They say, old man, your horse will die (Oh poor old man) And if he dies then we'll tan his hide (And they say so, and we hope so) Aye and if he dies then we'll tan his hide (Oh poor old man) And it's after years of long abuse (And they say so, and we hope so) Then we'll salt him down for the sailors' use (Oh poor old man) He's as dead as a nail in the lamp room floor (And they say so, and we hope so) He's as dead as a nail in the lamp room floor (Oh poor old man) Aye and he won't bother us no more (And they say so, and we hope so) Aye and he won't bother us no more (Oh poor old man) And it's Sally's in the garden and she's picking the peas (And they say so, and we hope so) Aye and her long black hair's hangin' down to her knees (Oh poor old man) And she's back up in the kitchen and she's kneading the duff (And they say so, and we hope so) Aye and the cheeks of her arse are going chuff chuff chuff (Oh poor old man) It's mahogany beef and the weevily bread (And they say so, and we hope so) It's mahogany beef and the weevily bread (Oh poor old man) And I thought I heard the old man say (And they say so, and we hope so) Just one more pull and then belay (Oh poor old man) Just one more pull and that will do (And they say so, and we hope so) For we're the lads to kick her through (Oh poor old man)
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Comments 12
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Ken Sacco
Jul 06, 2013
very cool
Roger John
Apr 28, 2013
Nicely nicely done. The music is really well written. Foot stomping. The repetition works.
Pinecats
Apr 24, 2013
Excellent tune Steve. One of the best of the night for me...excellent vocals...harmonies so well done...and the way you build the song up is a joy. The "back up" vocals are ace and the overall tune is done with instrumental brilliance. I really enjoyed this one alot. Creative and full of wonderful tones with impressive dynamics. Key changes and...man... this tune has it all! A gem!
Keyshardy
Apr 24, 2013
Another great folk song here Steve, Love the fiddles got a real western feel to this one..Nice work!
GinNger SparklezZz
Apr 23, 2013
another great song!! wow! super folk rock lyrics, can't get any better than this! and with awesome vocals and tight harmonies! i love the music too! especially the drum work. sounds like you have a great studio to record in!! wonderful song! chuff chuff chuff lol
Oddger
Apr 23, 2013
This is so great, Steve. I love the vocals and the guitars. The progression is splendid, the song has a great tune and you would love to sit in a bar and sing along "and they say so, and they hope so". This song is a classic and as good as any of it's more famous predecessors in the folk genre. Bravo!
Drumnjon
Apr 22, 2013
SETH, This is beautiful... Love your vocals ...This is a very special sound...so heartfelt...WOW THANK YOU... Amazing... JON :):):)
spinaceto
Apr 21, 2013
Enjoyed this authentic and amazing song, good instrumentations and performance, I think it was one of my favorite last evening!! Good Job! -Spin-
VMP (USA)
Apr 21, 2013
Really special stuff here Steve, an absolute favorite!
Rodrica Rudge
Apr 21, 2013
Fantastic sound, very big and full with rich tones. Fantastic job on the vocals and harmonies. Great job on the other music tracks and I love that guitar! This just makes you want to join in, especially after a few beers, lol. Excellent!
The Footnotes
Apr 21, 2013
Fabulous, head to tail, fabulous. Great vocals, great lead guitar, great production.
Michael Duran
Apr 20, 2013
Brilliant stuff mate, love the harmonies! :D