Barges

Album: Not Till Tomorrow (1972)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Ralph McTell said of this solo composition: "'Barges' was the first tune that I could actually trace to another composer, Greig."

    He doesn't say what piece by the classical composer he might have inadvertently borrowed from, but this heavily arpeggiated acoustic guitar ballad owes little or nothing to anything but his own childhood. Ralph McTell was a war baby; born in 1944, his father walked out on his mother when he was young leaving her to raise Ralph and his younger brother Bruce alone. In the Summer months, the two boys would stay with their uncle and aunt and their grandparents in Banbury - the Oxfordshire town immortalized in the well-known nursery rhyme. There, they spent many hours exploring the Oxford Canal, and doing what young boys do under such circumstances.
  • A September 2008 interview with Mary Kirkham includes footage of him reading from his new book, and explaining "Barges" which he said in those days were still being worked by water gypsies. The song itself is pure nostalgia, and one of McTell's finest. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 1

  • Thomas Sharma from EnglandThe beginning of the verse melody is similar to the main theme of "Morning Mood" from Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, although the rhythm is different. It's an entirely unconscious borrowing but a beautifully effective and appropriate one.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.