Some 20 years ago, I was in conversation with the great Bob Fox and his wife. I happened to tell him that my favourite song in his repertoire was the Joe Wilson song 'Sally Wheatley'. At that his wife turned to him and said 'There you are Bob, what did I tell you? It is easily the most well-loved song of all the songs you sing.' Twenty years later, it still comes up fresh every time. Any song that starts with the words 'Now I'm most depressed and sad', just has to arrest the listener from the very first bar, does it not? I was no exception. Here is the remarkable song written a century and a half ago., with its story… Exquisitely delivered here by Bob…. Not only is he in fine voice, his guitar accompaniment is so authoritative too. Here are the lyrics…. Now I’m most depressed and sad, when I once was blithe and glad, I could trip about the town both trim and neatly. I was happy night and morn, but of all such joys I’m shorn, Since I fell so deep in love with Sally Wheatley. Chorus (after each verse): And oh dear me, what am I ganna de, Sally’s taken me heart away completely, And I'll never get it back, 'Cos she gans with Mr Black, And they say he’s gan te marry Sally Wheatley. Well I’ve never seen such a lass, and I know she liked her glass, She could toss a pot of whisky over sweetly. Well it’s right to take a drop, if you know just when to stop, That was just the very way with Sally Wheatley. How I felt I diven’t knaw, the first time I Sally saw, In a threesome reel she hopped about se leetly. And I might have had a chance, if I’d asked her up to dance, But I was ower shy to speak to Sally Wheatley. So, as often is the case, you’ ll find others in your place. If you diven’t shove ahead and fettle reetly. For I’d scarcely turned me back, aye and there was Mr Black, He was jigging round the room with Sally Wheatley. Now, he must have made it right, when he set her home that night, 'Cos after work, dressed up, he goes to see her neetly. Well there’s great danger in delay, or I wouldn’t be sad today, If I had a heart, I'd break it for Sally Wheatley. (Dai Woosnam, Grimsby)
Joe was a tour de force, was the song "Bonnie Gatesheed Lass" about the Bridge Hotel, but he mentioned the Bridge End, which was at the bridge end at the Newcastle side
Reminds me of something that happened to me a long time ago, im never coming to this video again, verging on tears here!!!lol nice song, makes me think of her though, strange how thing come back to you.
First time I heard this song the Dubliners were performing it. Have to say this version is much different and much much better. will Bob ever take a trip to southern Ireland?
I've asked him that and I know he'd love to but he needs a promoter to set up enough gigs to make it worth while. English folk doesn't have the reputation it would need to get people out to hear it - good as it is (especially Bob). I knew Bob in the 1980's and 90's when I lived in Newcastle - he was a stalwart of the Tyneside Irish Centre - he knows the scene so well.
I always love listening to Bob Fox…and this song is done so beautifully! 👏
Some 20 years ago, I was in conversation with the great Bob Fox and his wife. I happened to tell him that my favourite song in his repertoire was the Joe Wilson song 'Sally Wheatley'.
At that his wife turned to him and said 'There you are Bob, what did I tell you? It is easily the most well-loved song of all the songs you sing.'
Twenty years later, it still comes up fresh every time.
Any song that starts with the words 'Now I'm most depressed and sad', just has to arrest the listener from the very first bar, does it not?
I was no exception. Here is the remarkable song written a century and a half ago., with its story…
Exquisitely delivered here by Bob…. Not only is he in fine voice, his guitar accompaniment is so authoritative too.
Here are the lyrics….
Now I’m most depressed and sad, when I once was blithe and glad,
I could trip about the town both trim and neatly.
I was happy night and morn, but of all such joys I’m shorn,
Since I fell so deep in love with Sally Wheatley.
Chorus (after each verse):
And oh dear me, what am I ganna de,
Sally’s taken me heart away completely,
And I'll never get it back,
'Cos she gans with Mr Black,
And they say he’s gan te marry Sally Wheatley.
Well I’ve never seen such a lass, and I know she liked her glass,
She could toss a pot of whisky over sweetly.
Well it’s right to take a drop, if you know just when to stop,
That was just the very way with Sally Wheatley.
How I felt I diven’t knaw, the first time I Sally saw,
In a threesome reel she hopped about se leetly.
And I might have had a chance, if I’d asked her up to dance,
But I was ower shy to speak to Sally Wheatley.
So, as often is the case, you’ ll find others in your place.
If you diven’t shove ahead and fettle reetly.
For I’d scarcely turned me back, aye and there was Mr Black,
He was jigging round the room with Sally Wheatley.
Now, he must have made it right, when he set her home that night,
'Cos after work, dressed up, he goes to see her neetly.
Well there’s great danger in delay, or I wouldn’t be sad today,
If I had a heart, I'd break it for Sally Wheatley.
(Dai Woosnam, Grimsby)
Joe was a tour de force, was the song "Bonnie Gatesheed Lass" about the Bridge Hotel, but he mentioned the Bridge End, which was at the bridge end at the Newcastle side
This is the first time I’ve heard this, it’s made me cry
Reminds me of something that happened to me a long time ago, im never coming to this video again, verging on tears here!!!lol nice song, makes me think of her though, strange how thing come back to you.
Lovely
Met my missus 11 yrs ago in the Red House and Bob's music has been a regular feature before and since...
Just brilliant.
Beautiful. I'm sorry it took me so long to find this!
Great story song.
Definately one of my desert island discs
Majestic!
First time I heard this song the Dubliners were performing it. Have to say this version is much different and much much better. will Bob ever take a trip to southern Ireland?
I've asked him that and I know he'd love to but he needs a promoter to set up enough gigs to make it worth while. English folk doesn't have the reputation it would need to get people out to hear it - good as it is (especially Bob). I knew Bob in the 1980's and 90's when I lived in Newcastle - he was a stalwart of the Tyneside Irish Centre - he knows the scene so well.
thanks for the great sounds (pmw) peacefull and relaxing 5 min thanks
Good one Bob, lovely style on the guitar.
Such a lovely tune. And Bob Fox is such a good bloke. I was convinced there was going to be a happy ending for the lad...
:(