Farewell to a Poor Man's Son

[Chris from Fieldtown]

I'm trying to find the lyrics for this song which is a bonus track on Babacombe Lee. Anyone have a version written out or a source? Googling hasn't helped unfortunately. A friend wants to sing the song and she's struggling like me to to work out a few of the lines.

Chris

[Brendan]

I think if you watch on YouTube the lyrics are clearer on the Wilson and sea rock version.

[Jules Gray]

I'm trying to find the lyrics for this song which is a bonus track on Babacombe Lee. Anyone have a version written out or a source? Googling hasn't helped unfortunately. A friend wants to sing the song and she's struggling like me to to work out a few of the lines.

I once asked Swarb himself to clear up a couple of the lines for me.  Let me know which bits you can't work out.

Jules

[Chris from Fieldtown]

I'm trying to find the lyrics for this song which is a bonus track on Babacombe Lee. Anyone have a version written out or a source? Googling hasn't helped unfortunately. A friend wants to sing the song and she's struggling like me to to work out a few of the lines.

I once asked Swarb himself to clear up a couple of the lines for me.  Let me know which bits you can't work out.

Jules

Thanks Jules, how amazing is TAW!. It's V4 that has us most stumped - When peace must the devil  ?rise?  And the born again pauper ?something something life? Any help gratefully passed onto the singer.

[Jules Gray]

Thanks Jules, how amazing is TAW!.

I asked him after a concert.  He then emailed me the lines I couldn't make out.

It's V4 that has us most stumped - When peace must the devil  ?rise?  And the born again pauper ?something something life? Any help gratefully passed onto the singer.

When needs must the devil drives
It's dog eat dog
The strongest shall survive
While the poor will get poorer
Buried alive

Jules

[Chris from Fieldtown]

Thanks Jules, how amazing is TAW!.

I asked him after a concert.  He then emailed me the lines I couldn't make out.

It's V4 that has us most stumped - When peace must the devil  ?rise?  And the born again pauper ?something something life? Any help gratefully passed onto the singer.

When needs must the devil drives
It's dog eat dog
The strongest shall survive
While the poor will get poorer
Buried alive

Jules

That's fab Jules, really appreciate your help. It speaks highly or Swarb as well taking the time to send you the words. I might pm you for confirmation of other lines, I think we are a way off with some!

Chris

[Jules Gray]

I might pm you for confirmation of other lines, I think we are a way off with some!

I've looked and I can't find his original email.  I think I printed it off somewhere.  He didn't send me the entire lyric.  I think I was confident about the rest of it.  I was intending to cover it myself, but never got around to it.

He didn't even have a copy of the song.  I burned him the disc from Fairport Unconventional with it on.  He said that listening to the old recordings made him cry, the emotions it brought back.

Jules

[Jules Gray]

When needs must the devil drives
It's dog eat dog
The strongest shall survive
While the poor will get poorer
Buried alive

Last line should read:

While the poor they get poorer
Buried alive

A small detail, but perhaps worth correcting myself for.

Jules

[Chris from Fieldtown]

When needs must the devil drives
It's dog eat dog
The strongest shall survive
While the poor will get poorer
Buried alive

Last line should read:

While the poor they get poorer
Buried alive

A small detail, but perhaps worth correcting myself for.

Jules

Thanks Jules, that's useful and I'll pass it on. Interesting that Swarb felt so sensitive about the old material and presumably being reminded of that time of his life. Only met him once at Bledington Morris day of dance. He was propping up the bar!

[Jules Gray]

Interesting that Swarb felt so sensitive about the old material and presumably being reminded of that time of his life.

It was Sandy and Trevor passing on that most upset him. He still missed both of them terribly.

Jules