ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

During my brief visit to Tamworth I asked Manfred how you go about writing Lyrics, unfortunately about two minutes later I had forgotten everything he told me.

So I have tried something here, not sure what you’d call it, (although rubbish springs to mind) the beat is supposed to go ‘De dum de de dum de de dum de de dum’ - or something like that.

The story comes from an old mine we came across on the goldfields called ‘Sweet Nell’ at a place pronounced Hoot-an-noo-ie.

There was a grave not far away near an old track

SWEET NELLIE MACBRIDE
Young Billy from Dubbo hums softly a song,
of love and devotion as he strides along.
He dreams of his sweetheart and smiles then with pride,
his thoughts are as always of Nellie MacBride.

He dreamt of her beauty and undoubted charms,
and prays that one day she’ll belong in his arms.
But first he must prosper and search far and wide,
before he can marry sweet Nellie MacBride.

Long days out there searching while looking for gold,
have tested his spirit and young heart so bold.
But never he wavered or cast hope aside,
of winning his fortune and Nellie MacBride.

The days turned to months and the months became years,
her letters from home told of heartache and tears.
She begged he return soon and make her his bride,
and spoke of her love then did Nellie MacBride.

Death haunted the outback in these early days,
and illness could strike down in so many ways.
When typhoid struck Billy his dream was denied,
no wedding for him and sweet Nellie MacBride.

They laid him to rest in a grave near the track,
so far from his loved ones; he’ll never come back.
The last words he whispered the day that he died,
were of his great love for sweet Nellie MacBride.

© T.E . Piggott

Mate I think it’s great, I’m not a muso as such but as a drummer I can follow your beat and I like the story line as well.

TTFN

Totally agree with Dave - this is terrific - I can hear the music. Love it

Cheers

Maureen

That's it Terry. You could call it a waltz or a minuet

Yep, works for me, I just sang it - luckily for them no one was in the room.

Thanks Folks,
I kinda wondered how that one would go.

I'd been struggling with a poem that just wasn't doing what I wanted it to do, so to give it a break I had a go at this last night.
I suppose it could be improved a little by tweaking a couple of lines that are a little awkward at the moment and I could try writing a chorus that slots in every couple of stanza's or so. Though it could be argued that each stanza is a sort of chorus anyway I guess.

I always find it a bit of fun to try something totally different from time to time



Cheers terry

Dave Smith wrote:Mate I think it’s great, I’m not a muso as such but as a drummer I can grunt and lift heavy things

I agree with Dave.

As with your poetry, Terry . . you've nailed the rhythm and you've got that sing-song lilt with a fine selection of words, and it's a neat little yarn.

Enjoyed it, mate.

Cheers, Marty

Thanks Marty,
I didn't really have a clue of how to go about this sort of thing,
but I have been keen to have a go at it for some time now after reading
some of Manfreds work and I remember Glenny was working with a musso
on lyrics some time ago.
I'm not even sure if these lines could be classed as lyrics, but it was fun having a go anyway

It's always interesting to try something different.

Cheers Terry

Good lyrics Terry perhaps a chorus might fit ??

Bit like the song Mountains of Morn I think that how you spell it.


Oh Maggie this Londons a wonderful sight
The people here working by day and by night.


Gonna learn the guitar one day.


Bob

... with YOUR voice Bob, I recommend the harmonica ...