The Sheffield Grinder by MrBouzouki published on 2021-01-10T13:35:16Z Background This is my take on an old traditional song. The earliest reference I've discovered is around 1847. It supposedly had other titles 'The Grinders' and 'The Saddle on the Right Horse' It is a vivid description of the lot of Sheffield Grinders, working and often dying early in life due to their trade. The 'Grinding Hull's' mentioned in the lyrics were grim places, full of particles of metal and dust from the grinding wheels. Historical evidence suggests boys were often apprenticed from nine to twelve years of age. Through my working career I was employed in the Steel Industry engaged in scientistic work and environmental research, quite a bit of it related to occupational health problems, So it is no surprise to me and very fitting that I wanted to get this song recorded. As a Sheffield lad born and bred it connects for me I guess. Apparently a version of this traditional song was recorded by 'The Ian Campbell Group' in 1972 and the band 'Afterhours' from their eponymous cassette only album from 1988. After hearing the 'Afterhours' 1988 version, I decided to work up a DADGAD guitar arrangement of my own. Here is the result. --------------------------------------------------- Instrumentation and Arrangement I wanted a simple arrangement for this song as really it's all about the lyrics and overall message. I used a DADGAD guitar tuning and aimed for a strum pattern that hopefully reflects the cyclical rhythmic quality of the grindstones in use. After the main vocals was recorded I decided a bit of backing vocals would add a bit of extra spice to the overall song. Sometimes voice and guitar is all you really need. :-) -------------------------------------------------- The Sheffield Grinder (Lyrics around 1847) **( with small revisions for this version) (Photograph taken from the Illustrated London News 1866) The Sheffield grinder's a terrible blade. Tally ho, the grinder! 'Fore he sets his little 'uns down to trade. Tally ho, the grinder! He sets ‘em all down to grind in the hull, Till their bodies are stunted and their eyes are dull, And their brains are all dizzy and dazed in their skulls. Tally ho, the grinder! He shortens his life and he hastens his death. Tally ho, the grinder! And he’ll drink steel dust with every breath. Tally ho, the grinder! And he won't wash his hands ‘ere he eats a meal And he won’t wear a mask as he grinds at his wheel And he’ll die as he’s lived, as hard as cold steel. Tally ho, the grinder! (Instrumental) The Sheffield grinders of whom we do speak. Tally ho, the grinder! Well they’re men who’ll earn just one pound a week. Tally ho, the grinder! But of Sheffield grinders another sort Methinks ought to be called to court, Aye, and that’s the grinding Government Board. Tally ho, the grinder! At whose door lies the blacker blame? Tally ho, the grinder! Oh where lies the heavier weight of shame? Tally ho, the grinder! Is it the famine-price contractor's head, Or on the workman who’s under-fed, And who grinds his own bones and his children’s for bread? Tally ho, the grinder! Genre Folk & Singer-Songwriter Comment by Joel Beautiful song. Guitar and voice are very nice 2022-02-17T10:12:28Z Comment by Sonni Quick Great Storytelling. Very well done. I'll have to listen again. 2022-02-15T00:16:45Z Comment by Miaow McDonald aw... what a sad tale, beautifully told. 💔 2022-01-19T05:04:58Z Comment by Miaow McDonald great voice! 2022-01-19T05:03:44Z Comment by Teeniest Great work - nice melody 2021-08-09T12:44:16Z Comment by Finn Eces Did not know this song, great tune. Important to retell these stories. 2021-06-18T20:01:05Z Comment by Musicar A warm traditional ballad you gave us, expressive vocals and beautiful guitar. 2021-04-03T15:12:51Z Comment by Scooter Holiday - Artist/Producer - Demos Very nice 2021-03-30T21:10:31Z Comment by Bas Kooman Compelling performance, solid strumming and impressive storytelling. Enjoyed! 2021-03-30T18:34:58Z Comment by David Dunham What??? I listened and commented but failed to like and repost. Fixing that now. What a great song! 2021-03-30T18:28:08Z Comment by Yung Croix Great work here man Nice Production 2021-03-27T04:13:10Z Comment by Dgé breton beautiful atmosphere with your voice and guitar.yes man the blues is here.👍🎸from 🇫🇷 2021-03-24T08:55:29Z Comment by TSM So nice! Very clean and sweet sound! Love the acoustic progression! 2021-03-20T14:37:48Z Comment by boon-suzuki Your song tells us negative aspect of early industrial era. Nice tribute to this traditional song. 2021-03-05T12:30:43Z Comment by Achazia (Veiled Harmonies) Very nice song. I like it a lot. Good job on this tune Pete :) 2021-03-01T12:26:02Z Comment by Dad on the moon This is really what I expect from a Folk composer, to bring back to life a story on a theme having existed to remember the living conditions of the past, you sing with a lot of convictions as if you came from this same time, bravo 2021-02-14T17:09:52Z Comment by Don Jennings Hey, great song, playing and singing@ 2021-02-12T23:10:57Z Comment by echosonica Very raw and very real song, Pete. 2021-02-09T21:13:29Z Comment by tbone711 A treacherous tale so well conveyed, bravo! 2021-02-05T14:19:11Z Comment by Lammbone Really liking this song 2021-02-04T00:12:35Z Comment by Caz Yardley 😍 wonderful work 👏🏼👏🏼 2021-01-31T17:15:35Z Comment by Niskee Z I like this kind of songs - good storytelling, easy guitar and nice harmonies. Always trying to do that myself. 👍👍 2021-01-27T20:28:46Z Comment by Jonathon Strauss Brenner Great song, performance 2021-01-22T21:06:18Z Comment by Sonny Kaye such a beutiful song 2021-01-18T17:37:46Z Comment by Sonny Kaye great guitar on this 2021-01-18T17:37:29Z Comment by idematoa Wonderful piece 😍 🍀 💐🙏🎶🎧 2021-01-18T06:05:46Z