Shipyard Apprentice - The Battlefield Band

Shipyard Apprentice - The Battlefield Band
A great song about Glasgow's shipbuilding heritage and the fierce loyalty and pride of the men who bilt the ships of an empire.
The Shipyard Apprentice, also known as Fairfield Crane, is the most enduring of Archie Fisher's songs. It was written for a BBC radio series called 'Landmarks', the lyrics as a joint production with Norman Buchan, with a tune by Glasgow fiddler and Broomhill Bum Bobby Campbell. None of Norman's verses for the programme have been kept in Archie's sung version. As the fortunes of the Clyde shipyards have changed over the years other hands have wanted to change the song. Alasdair Robertson and John McCreadie have both made amended versions. This version by The Battlefield Band is my personal favourite and comes from their eponymous debut album (Topic Records, 1977).

[@colinmacgregor8718]

My dad and his brothers were apprentices at John Brown's on the Clyde in the 1930's.They went off to war in 1939 and fortunately returned home to go back to their trades.I started my trade in the shipyards in Sydney Australia.

[@jimlittle588]

my grand dad came back from the great war after being gassed at ypres, to the yards he was a apprentice to, god what we he think now ?

[@seantig479]

A fine tribute to the shipbuilders of Clydebank. When I visit the Queen Mary moored in Long Beach, California, I think of this song.

[@onemexican1973]

me too.

[@loZoneranger560]

Truly simple and beautiful.

[@joyceharkin3641]

wonderful song

[@rabbijim1]

!st heard the band around 1976 at a folk night in Kirkintilloch....a good old days.

[@CityPointJarhead]

Great rendition!

[@vallhalaviking3475]

💜💜💜

[@giveusbackourintegrity3704]

GET ON THIS MOJOMAN WE HAVE A DEEP DEEP TRADITION WHICH MUST BE KEPT AT ALL COSTS IT IS IN MY BLOOD AND I SHALL FIGHT LIKE MY FATHER BEFORE

[@sixfootbear]

The Unthanks do a fine version of this.

[@murryjcohen]

Ed Miller has a good version.

[@Celynalba]

Now after VE