The Maginot Waltz - Ralph Mctell cover - Facemask93

[Facemask93]

This is a song i first started playing about 25 years ago , its a little tricky , because it has an awkward fingering , so i never fully mastered it , plus both of my previous wives did'nt really like me playing guitar , and especially tunes like this , so i've only recently started playing this again , spurred on by the kind people  on Cool - Lab.
I'ts a sad story about two guys getting ready to go off and fight the hun in WW1 , thinking like most people at the time , that they would be back home quite quickly , so they take a Charabanc ( coach ) trip to Brighton ( a seaside Town in the South-East of England , not far from where Paul -Cadman , and i live ) sadly , like most they never came back , i hope you enjoy it

Two guitars - left & right
One vox

Rob

Written by Ralph McTell

All off to Brighton in a charabanc
Albert played his banjo and how we sang.
The beer was expensive but the laughter was free
oh how we do love to all be beside the sea.

Albert had a cousin named Marjorie
And I had been noticing that she had noticed me.
I quickly decided if she didn't mind
I would spend the day in her gay company.

We shared a plate of whelks strolling side by side.
I said she weren't too old to take a donkey ride
But I didn't mind when she laughed and said no
So we paused for a while and listened to the minstrel show.

There was a notice at the Palace Pier
It said there was to be a dance that night and it wasn't dear.
I explained of course that I could only waltz
And so we waltzed to every tune and air.

Nine o'clock come round we had to take the charabanc
Albert was too drunk to play the banjo but still we sang
All except Marjorie, I could tell at a glance
Because me and Albert was leaving for France.

I said "We'll both be home in a week or two
Me and Albert and Lord Kitchener will teach the Hun a thing or two.
I'm sure to return, after me do not yearn
And we will waltz together all our lives through."

[FuzzFace]

What a great ballad!
And a really crisp, clear recording.

Expertly done!

[Tony W]

Incredible guitar work. What continually amazes me is your vocals. Your vocals are completely unaffected father time. That's an incredible gift Rob, and I'm glad you share it with us.

Its a brilliant ballad.

[fenderbender]

nice version FM -you really do the song justice
great guitar playing as well

[Kenneth]

I really like this. No, not like it.
I love it.
It's beautiful, the playing is amazing, the vocals are as good as vocals get, what stunning music.
This will be in my folder for repeats many times. Thanks.

[Gnasty]

I'm not familiar with this song or McTell for that matter and to tell you the truth i don't want to be.

Although i like his crazy chord phrasing but listening to your voice is tranquil to me.

This is a great performance, so clear cut. Awesome job Rob!!!

[danieldesete]

you made me smile all way through. a massive well done

[Oldrottenhead]

braw i am not familiar with this one so forever more in my eyes and ears its a facemask original.

was captivated from the first note to the last and loved the story in the lyric, great song and performance.

[Geir]

Sure I commented on this yesterday ..... hmm c2h5oh-dementia maybe

This is just fantastic !!! So naked but still so full sounding ... just stunning ...

That voice !! That VOICE !!!!!!!!

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And fantastic guitarwork as well !

piPod already

[cuthbert]

I wasn't familiar with Ralph McTell until I heard one of your covers, Rob - and I still haven't heard any of his recordings. You see, I've been spoiled by your voice and guitar playing.

Love the subject matter, and we don't often get 3/4 time songs on this forum - this is a real treat. And it really is a crisp recording - was it done on the BR-800?

cheers,
cuth