Origins: One More Day - credited to John Tams?

Subject: Origins: One More Day
From: Santa
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 03:48 PM

I have this by Martin Simpson, on his Bootleg USA CD. I recall it (possibly not correctly) as a Vietnam War period leaving song, though I don't know who sang it then. It is sung as a homeward bound shanty by the Shellbacks Chorus, and the DT backs up this (though not I think the exact version sung?). Does anyone know when it "switched allegiance", or who may have been responsible?

Subject: RE: Origins: One More Day
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 05:25 PM

Like to see the words for the Vietnam War version. I'm only familar with the traditional sea shanty versions from Hugil et al.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origins: One More Day
From: Santa
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 09:18 AM

There's nothing in the song directly relating to the Vietnam War period, it was just my impression as to when I'd first heard it. But it seems this was wrong, because in the sleeve notes the song is credited to John Tams. Which raises interesting questions about traditional songs, changing them, and copyrights. Is changing from a happy homecoming shanty to a melancholic leaving song with new verses enough? I shall have to post them to you directly, if you still want them.

Having copied the words out, they seem much more related to Tams' "Pull Down Lads", his great song on fairground life. Perhaps both were part of a song cycle for a play/musical? I'd still like to know more about the origins of this version. And indeed about its life since, for I knew it when I heard Martin's CD but have no ideas from where – John Tams being below my personal horizon way back when.

Subject: RE: Origins: One More Day
From:
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 02:25 PM

Yes, please post them.

Subject: RE: Origins: One More Day
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 11:09 AM

Maybe Santa is too busy to post the lyrics right now, George.

Best to Vince when you next see him.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble