We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Newfoundland Vinyl

by Allison Crowe

/
1.
Black Velvet Band Words and Music - Traditional As performed by Allison Crowe Her eyes they shone like a diamond, I saw her the queen of the land. And her hair hung over her shoulders, tied up with a black velvet band. In the neat little town they call Belfast, apprenticed to trade I was bound. And many an hour of sweet happiness, have I spent in that neat little town ’til sad misfortune came o'er me, which caused me to stray from the land. Far away from me friends and relations, betrayed by the black velvet band. Her eyes they shone like a diamond, I saw her the queen of the land. And her hair hung over her shoulders, tied up with a black velvet band. As I was strolling down Broadway, meaning not long for to stay, when who should I meet but this pretty fair maid, come a-courtin' along the highway. She was both fair and handsome, and her neck it was just like a swan. And her hair hung over her shoulders, tied up with a black velvet band. Now as I was courtin' this pretty fair maid, and a gentlemen passin' us by, I know she meant the doing of him, by the look in her roguish black eye. A gold watch she took from his pocket, and placed it right into me hand. And the very next thing that I said was, that it fit like a black velvet band. Before the judge and the jury, next morning I had to appear. And the judge he says to me, "Young man, Your case it is forever clear. "Now, I'll give you seven years at hard labour, To be served far away from this land." Far away from me friends and relations, betrayed by the black velvet band. So, come all you jolly young fellows, a warning you'll take by me. Whenever you're out on the town, me lads, be 'ware of the pretty colleens. They'll fill you up with some drink, me lads, ’til you are unable to stand. And the very next thing that you'll know is, you've landed in Van Diemen's Land. Her eyes they shone like a diamond, I saw her the queen of the land. And her hair hung over her shoulders, tied up with a black velvet band. And her hair hung over her shoulders, tied up with a black velvet band.
2.
Easy 03:55 video
Easy Words & Music - Terry Skinner As performed by Allison Crowe I could have searched the world and never found you. But, just like a dream you came to me. Now every time I put my arms around you, I know why loving you comes easily. Easy. Oh, oh, easy. That’s how loving you was meant to be. Easy. Oh, oh, easy. Loving you comes so easy to me. You look just like you were sent from heaven. And the way you’re lovin’ me is so heavenly. I never thought that love could be so easy. And I know you’re only easy with me. Easy. Oh, oh, easy. That’s how loving you was meant to be. Easy. oh, oh, easy. Loving you comes so easy to me. Loving you comes so easy to me.
3.
Men Who Die for a Living Words and Music - Gary O'Driscoll As Performed by Allison Crowe As the morning mist rolls over Cape Chapeau Rouge young miners with lunch-tins go down with the crews to a damp, dusty, dungeon to earn a day's pay. They're the men who die for a living. Well, they follow Iron Springs to the bowels of the mine with their oil-skins and hammers where the sun never shines. With stone all around them and death in the air they're the men who die for a living. Well, Abraham Pike was the first one to go. Then Davey and Rennie, Augustin and Joe. Like the leaves they are falling, but the others still go. They're the men who die for a living. Well, the mines they are gone but the sadness remains for the widows and children who must bear the pain. And their names they are written in stone on the hill, all the men who die for a living. All the men who die for a living.
4.
Cliffs of Baccalieu Words and Music - Jack Withers As Performed by Allison Crowe We were bound home in October from the shores of Labrador, trying to race a bold nor’easter and snow too; When the wind swept down upon us making day as dark as night, just before we made the land at Baccalieu. Well, we tried to clear the island as we brought her further south. But the wind from out the nor’east stronger blew. And our lookout soon he shouted for right there dead ahead, through the snow squalls, loomed the cliffs of Baccalieu. And it was hard down with the tiller as we struggled with the sheets, trying our best to haul them in a foot or two. With our deck so sharply tilted we could scarcely keep our feet, as we struggled on the rocks at Baccalieu. For the combers beat her under and I thought she'd never rise. And her main boom was bending nigh in two. And all hands come to windward and they stared with straining eyes down to leeward at the cliffs of Baccalieu. For to leeward stood the island and to windward was the gale. And the blinding sleet'd cut you through and through. With her lee rail three foot under, yes, and two hands at the wheel, we hauled her from the cliffs of Baccalieu. Yes, we hauled her to the south’ard and her canvas stood the strain. And the blinding snow squalls from the nor’east blew. But our hearts were beatin' gladly when no longer could we view down to leeward at the cliffs of Baccalieu, Down to leeward at the cliffs of Baccalieu.
5.
Skipper Billy's Wake Words and Music - Ellis Coles As Performed by Allison Crowe Aunt Lucy made an announcement early in the day. She said she hated to tell us Uncle Bill had passed away. Well, we were so excited our legs began to shake. We knew we'd been invited to Skipper Billy's wake. At two am we crowded in to say our last goodbye. To think there was moonshine in the room, it made us jump for joy. But someone made a blunder that was beyond our reach, and just to help us out a bit they brought along some Screech. We took old Bill out of the box and placed him in a chair. We started drinkin' 'shine and Screech to sorta drown our fears. But when we looked at Skipper Bill his face was old and drawn. We thought we better bury him before the break of dawn. Oh, what a lovely funeral we had upon that night. A little breeze was blowin' and the stars were shinin' bright. We bowed our heads and said a prayer and raised our bottles high, and we drank a toast to Skipper Bill away up in the sky. Next morning we were awakened by Aunt Lucy once again: "We’ve called the search and rescue, well, we can't find Uncle Jim!" The funeral flashed before me, and I had an awful dread, if Bill was still there in the chair we buried Jim instead. Well, I called the boys together and a meeting we then had. I told them of the slight mistake - it wasn't all that bad. We'd go out there and dig him up, no one would never know, 'cause Uncle Jim would never know with moonshine in the hole. Well, we placed the box upon the ground and lifted off the lid. Uncle Jim just lay there grinnin', at least he wasn't dead. He looked at us and took a drink - he said, “There is no doubt, it was a lovely party until the lights went out!" Now may this be a lesson to you swingin' folks around, be careful what you're drinking when you're out on the town. And let this be a lesson, I hope you all would teach, never, when you're drinking, mix moonshine with your Screech.
6.
Sonny's Dream Words and Music - Ron Hynes As Performed by Allison Crowe Sonny lives on a farm in a wide open space. You can take off your sneakers and give up the race. You could lay down your head by a sweet river bed, but Sonny always remembers what it was his Momma said. Sonny carries a load though he's barely a man. There ain't all that to do, but he does what he can. And he watches the sea from a room by the stairs, and the waves keep on rollin' - they've done that for years. “Sonny don't go away, I am here all alone. Your daddy's a sailor who never comes home. The nights get so long, and the silence goes on, and I'm feeling so tired. I'm not all that strong.” It's a hundred miles to town, and Sonny's never been there. And he goes to the highway and he stands there and stares. And the mail comes at four and the mailman is old, but he still dreams his dreams - full of silver and gold. Sonny's dreams can't be real, they're just stories he's read. There are stars in his eyes and there’s dreams in his head. And he's hungry inside for the wide world outside, and I know I can't hold him though I have tried and tried. “Sonny, don't go away, I am here all alone. Your Daddy's a sailor who never comes home. And the nights get so long, and the silence goes on, and I'm feeling so tired, not all that strong.” “Now, Sonny don't go away, I am here all alone. And your Daddy's a sailor who never comes home. The nights get so long, and the silence goes on, and I'm feeling so tired, not all that strong.”
7.
Tiny Red Light Words and Music - Traditional As Performed by Allison Crowe “Put the light in the window, my darling,” she said as she gazed at the dark, stormy, night overhead. A little girl ran with her eager delight and she placed in the window the tiny red light. Her father came home from his work withered cold, angry and cross 'cause his fish were not sold. And he said that “The oil it must do for the night”. So he took from the window the tiny red light. “Oh, Father, dear Father, don't take it away. Think of them poor sailors far out on the bay.” Now, if he could have seen what’d happen that night, that might have been saved by the tiny red light. Now the very next morning came a knock on the door. A sailor stood pointing far out on the shore. Three tiny ships went adrift in the gale. With tears in his eyes he told her father this tale. “We followed your tiny red light,” said the man, “ ’til it vanished from sight - on the rocks our ship ran. Many were drowned on the billows last night, that might have been saved by your tiny red light. That might have been saved by your tiny red light.”
8.
The Mobile Goat Song Words and Music - Tom Cahill As Performed by Allison Crowe Have you heard the story of the Mobile goat on the grand old Southern shore, on the lovely isle of Newfoundland, where goats don't roam no more? It's about a man named Dillon whose cursin' was of note, and how he was diggin' for spuds one day, when he spoke to the Mobile goat. Now, the goat had been stealin' Dillon's spuds for twenty years or more, and every time he saw him, Dillon cursed and raged and swore. He was diggin' hard in his field this time and the goat was chewin' away near a great big six-foot granite rock when Dillon heard him say. “Are you diggin' 'em, Dillon? Are you diggin' 'em deep? Are you pilin' 'em, Dillon, in a nice big heap? ” “Oh, I'm diggin' 'em, ” says Dillon “Not enough to fill a boat. I'd be diggin' 'em more if it wasn't for you, you rotten stinkin' goat.” Now Dillon got the fright of his life, when he knew just what took place. And he said, “Good Lord, 't’is the devil himself come t’snatch me from your grace. “Come to take me for my sacrilege and my rotten life of sin.” And he ran like mad down the hill to home and the goat just pitched right in. But they say it was the priest just passin' by when he heard old Dillon curse on the goat and the spuds and the Lord above for makin' all things worse. Just to hush the roars at Heaven above he thought he'd bid good-day. And as he passed the garden fence the good priest he did say: “Are you diggin' 'em, Dillon? Are you diggin' 'em deep? Are you pilin' 'em, Dillon, in a nice big heap?” ”Oh, I'm diggin' 'em, says Dillon "Not enough to fill a boat. But I'd be diggin' 'em more if it wasn't for you, You rotten stinkin' goat.” You could never tell Dillon 't’was the priest who spoke to his cursin' spree, passin' quietly behind that rock, so Dillon couldn't see. And to this day in Mobile, on the grand old Southern shore, there's a thousand who believe the goat spoke out when Dillon swore. “Are you diggin' 'em, Dillon? Are you diggin' 'em deep? Are you pilin' 'em, Dillon, in a nice big heap?” “Oh, I'm diggin' 'em,” says Dillon, “Not enough to fill a boat. but I'd be diggin' 'em more if it wasn't for you, you rotten stinkin' goat. But I'd be diggin' 'em more if it wasn't for you, you rotten stinkin' goat.”
9.
Seven Old Ladies Words and Music - Traditional As Performed by Allison Crowe And it's - oh, dear, what can the matter be? Seven old ladies locked in the lavat'ry. They were there from Sunday to Saturday. Nobody knew they were there. Now the first was the wife of the Deacon of Dover. And though it was known she's a bit of a rover, she liked it so much that she thought she'd stay over. And nobody knew she was there. And it's - oh, dear, what can the matter be? Seven old ladies locked in the lavat'ry. They were there from Sunday to Saturday. Nobody knew they were there. La la la Well, the next was an athletic lady named Myrtle. She jumped o'er the top like a steeple-chase hurdle. Her glasses got caught in the stay of her girdle and nobody knew she was there. And it's - oh, dear, what can the matter be? Seven old ladies locked in the lavat'ry. They were there from Sunday to Saturday. Nobody knew they were there. La la la, La la la Well, the next was a lady, Elizabeth Bender, ’was doing all right ‘til a vagrant suspender got all tangled up in her feminine gender. And nobody knew she was there. And it's - oh, dear, what can the matter be? Seven old ladies locked in the lavat'ry. They were there from Sunday to Saturday. Nobody knew they were there. La la la, La la la, La la la Well, the next was a lady named Jennifer Kim. She'd just settled in on a personal whim. Somehow she got hers caught 'tween the cup and the brim, and nobody knew she was there. And it's - oh, dear, what can the matter be? Seven old ladies stuck in the lavat'ry. They were there from Sunday to Saturday. Nobody knew they were there. La la la, La la la, La la la Well, the next was the Bishop of Chichester's daughter. She wanted to pass some superfluous water. She pulled on a chain and the rising tide caught her, and nobody knew she was there. And it's - oh, dear, what can the matter be? Seven old ladies stuck in the lavat'ry. They were there from Monday to Saturday. Nobody knew they were there. La la la, La la la, La la la, La la la Well, the last was a lady, now sweet Nellie Pumphrey. She settled right in and she made herself comfy. Somehow, she found out, she could not get her bum free, and nobody knew she was there. And it's - oh, dear, what can the matter be? Seven old ladies stuck in the lavat'ry. They were there from Monday to Saturday. Nobody knew they were there. La la la, La la la, La la la, La la la, La la la, La La La, La la la La la laaaa
10.
Sweet Forget Me Not Words and Music - Bobby Newcomb As Performed by Allison Crowe Fancy brings a thought to me of a flower bright and fair. Its grace and beauty both combine more brighter to more fair. Just like a maiden that I know once shared my happy lot, where we parted, when she whispered, "You'll forget me not." We met I really don't know where, but still it's just the same, for love grows in the city streets as well as in the lane. I gently pressed her tiny hand - one glance at me she shot. She dropped her flower, I picked it up - 't’was a sweet forget-me-not. She's graceful and she's charming like the lilies in the pond. Time is sliding swiftly by - of her I am so fond. The roses and the daisies were blooming 'round the spot, where we parted, when she whispered, "You'll forget me not." At last there came a happy time when something that I said it caused her lips to mouth her "Yes" - and shortly we were wed. There is a house down in the lane in a tiny garden spot. There grows a flower, I know it well - it's a sweet forget-me-not. She's graceful and she's charming like the lilies in the pond. Time is flying swiftly by - of her I am so fond. The roses and the daisies were blooming around the spot, where we parted when she whispered, "You'll forget me not." When we parted, when she whispered, "You'll forget me not."

about

On “Newfoundland Vinyl”, her 11th album for Rubenesque Records, Allison Crowe commits her voice and musicianship to traditional songs and covers tunes popularized by vinyl-era Atlantic Canada legends such as Joan Morrissey, Harry Hibbs, Dick Nolan, Eddie Coffey and Eddie Eastman. Add in tunes associated with The Dorymen, Stan Rogers plus modern troubadors Gary O’Driscoll and Ron Hynes for a moving and joyous showcase.

"What a voice, what a voice, what a voice!" remarks veteran music reviewer Muruch posting on the ‘No Depression’ blog. “It plays like a lovely, vintage collection of traditional Irish and Canadian folk ballads, lively sea chanteys and drinking songs, parlour songs and country tunes with surprising retro, girl-pop harmonies woven throughout. The album is full of dazzling melody and such a unique charm. And Allison’s voice is so strong and spectacular,” writes the West Virginia-based folk afficionado. “It has the timeless beauty of a classic folk album.”

“It seems simple, but it really is a classic treatment of the classic songs that are performed by Crowe. She has renewed with stylish vigor traditional songs that deserve new life and interpretations,” says East Coast Kitchen Party.

"I am so grateful to have been asked by Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador, two years in a row, to put together songs and musically direct for a show called 'Newfoundland Vinyl'. As part of the Gros Morne Theatre Festival, I get to work with extremely talented and fun people each Summer in a gorgeous setting - Cow Head, NL. From the vast and encyclopaedic sea of beautiful music to come from, and out of, Newfoundland and Labrador, here is a collection of some of the songs from this year's show," notes Allison Crowe.

BLACK VELVET BAND – lively traditional song recorded on both sides of the Atlantic, including a version by the legendary 'His Nibs' Harry Hibbs

EASY – penned by Terry Skinner and made a classic radio hit by country star Eddie Eastman

MEN WHO DIE FOR A LIVING – Gary O’Driscoll, award-winning songwriter and producer from Bay Bulls and NL's southern shore, wrote this potent elegy “for the miners here and gone”

CLIFFS OF BACCALIEU – Jack Withers sea-faring song has previously been sailed by such distinct voices as Anita Best, Louise Morrissey and Stan Rogers

SKIPPER BILLY'S WAKE – songwriter Ellis Coles’ jaunty mix of moonshine, Screech and more was well popularized by Dick Nolan

SONNY'S DREAM – Newfoundland’s “Man of 1000 Songs”, Ron Hynes, created this anthem of the heart and home

TINY RED LIGHT – a traditional Newfoundland song revitalized in the vinyl era by The Dorymen (popular east-coast combo founded by John Drake and Tom Rose - a pair of lads out of Fortune Bay communities Belleoram and Bay du Nord)

THE MOBILE GOAT SONG – composed by St. John’s Tom Cahill, frequent collaborator with “Newfoundland’s First Lady of Song”, Joan Morrissey, who released this fun romp on her 1973 LP “Home Brew”

SEVEN OLD LADIES – a bawdy song which musically plumbs a 1700s nursery rhyme, ("Johnny's So Long at the Fair") – and a tune also recorded by the great Joan Morrissey

SWEET FORGET ME NOT- first published in 1877, this tender tune by Bobby Newcomb was the first single, and a vinyl hit on the mainland as well, for Cape Shore’s Eddie Coffey.

REVIEWS - Allison Crowe’s “Newfoundland Vinyl” LP:

"Allison Crowe Creates a Remarkable Recording with Newfoundland Vinyl" says East Coast Kitchen Party. “It seems simple, but it really is a classic treatment of the classic songs that are performed by Crowe. She has renewed with stylish vigor traditional songs that deserve new life and interpretations,” continues ECKP. “This record was made for sitting back in the big chair while relishing a favourite drink. Maybe Screech. It will probably bring a tear to the eye of a few. It’s that good.” ~ September 6, 2013 - see full review @ www.eastcoastkitchenparty.net/Music_Newfoundland_Vinyl.php

"It plays like a lovely, vintage collection of traditional Irish and Canadian folk ballads, lively sea chanteys and drinking songs, parlour songs and country tunes with surprising retro, girl-pop harmonies woven throughout. The album is full of dazzling melody and such a unique charm... It has the timeless beauty of a classic folk album." ~ Muruch / No Depression blog www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/allison-crowe-newfoundland-vinyl-rubenesque-records-2013 + www.muruch.com/2013/07/allison-crowe-newfoundland-vinyl.html

”CD OF THE WEEK: Allison Crowe is bi-coastal and her latest record on her own Rubenesque label isn’t a CD. She is from Nanaimo and her manager still lives on Vancouver Island, so, the island ties are there even if she now lives most of the time in Corner Brook, Nfld. Crowe’s ninth record is weirdly typical of her in that it defies convention, stick-handles around the pop idiom, shows imagination and daring, and opts for vinyl. Her Newfoundland Vinyl balances traditional folk and more contemporary sounds that serves as well as a soundtrack to a Newfoundland festival. A marvellous singer, Crowe plays down vocal gymnastics in favour of restraint, which translates as respect. The arrangements are minimal — often no more than guitar enhanced by background vocals — with a little humour thrown in to lighten the load. ~ Tom Harrison, The Province (Canada), "Garage" - August 6 2013 @ blogs.theprovince.com/2013/08/01/tom-harrisons-garage-for-aug-6

"There is something about this album that makes the songs become the soundtrack of your life. The grace and subtlety in the instrumental and vocal arrangements make this a one-of-a-kind must-have album for 2013." ~ The Celtic Music Fan celticmusicfan.com/2013/07/22/newfoundland-vinyl-by-allison-crowe

credits

released June 25, 2013

Songs performed, arranged, engineered and produced by Allison Crowe - home in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

With thanks to: Adam and Linkers and Johnny + all of our families and extended families and friends; my friends in Nanaimo; all the lovely people of Cow Head, NL; the entire company at GMTF and everyone involved with TNL; cast and crew of Newfoundland Vinyl and NV: The Flip Side; Adrian Payne (pictured); Dr. Tipple, Dennis and the folks at Humber Valley Veterinary; Dr. Venditti, Dr. Chou, Dr. Bailey, Sonia, and team at the Atlantic Veterinary College in PEI; + the great people I met during our Charlottetown stay; Martin House; & Brent and his pup Zephyr for being so awesome.

Images: Northern Lights over Gros Morne, & Adrian Payne @ mussel boil by Allison Crowe (thanks Johnny Cann for showing me how). Chart of ye land of New Found Land with ye particular harbours at large: John Thornton, Hydrographer, 1700 - Library and Archives Canada. Opera-Lyrics Smooth font by maltedMedia. Ginga font by Billy Argel. Layout: Kevin Luke + Contour Grafix. Vinyl Production: Caroline Ohrt et ses collègues de RIP-V. Audio Assembly: Carl Rowatti + Trutone Mastering Labs. Personable Manager: Adrian du Plessis

Rubenesque Records Ltd. - Made in Canada

Visit GEST Songs Of Newfoundland And Labrador - an invaluable online resource rich with lyrics and music: www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld

Peace

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Allison Crowe Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador

"Why music?" "Why breathing?"

contact / help

Contact Allison Crowe

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Allison Crowe, you may also like: