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Martin Shaw songs
Posted by George Odam on March 25, 2009, 12:42 pm
I am researching the songs of Martin Shaw and collecting copies since most are out of print. Since there have never been any recording of them I am trying to collect old copies to gain the interest of singers who do not now know his music. There are plenty enough to make a full CD and many are of top quality. The Martin Shaw Trust is, at the moment, unable to be of any assistance, which is a pity. I would be so grateful to hear from anyone who knows the songs or who can suggest where I might get hold of copies. I know the British Library stock well, but can only view it in situ.
Re: Martin Shaw songs
Posted by Liz Wilde on May 30, 2009, 6:11 pm, in reply to "Martin Shaw songs" 213.136.172.139
While searching online for the words of "Glad Hearts Adventuring" which we sang as school children in the 1950's I came across the website above, which you have probably already seen, but just in case.....
Thank you. Yes indeed. It is the only info. on MS apart from a Wiki entry based on it. I am working on a biography but the family are being very unhelpful. Glad Hearts lyrics were written by the then GGA Cheif Commissioner!
Re: Martin Shaw songs
Posted by margaret mckerrow on June 26, 2012, 3:16 pm, in reply to "Martin Shaw songs"
For some reason I was thinking of my old school yesterday and started singing the chorus of "glad hearts adventuring" and trying to remember all the words, very frustrating...So I tried to find the words on line and came across your site. I would love a copy of the words if you were successful in finding them. I went to school in Kent, England in the '50's. and now live in California. Thank you for your time, Margaret Mc.
Re: Martin Shaw songs
Posted by Prof. George Odam on June 26, 2012, 4:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Martin Shaw songs"
DearMargaret, Thank you for your enquiry. The song you remember was Issued under agreement by the Girl Guides Association in 1924 The words are by Margaret McDonald who was then Chief Commissioner of GGA. It is a grand melody. One of Martin's best I think.
Glad hearts adventuring, The way is wide Valour and faith shall shield the Pilgrim's side. Constant and undismayed, Your journey past, Across the Hills of Time Home lies. at last.
Glad hearts adventuring, The City of God dawns far Brothers take to the trail again, Sisters follow the star.
Honour and sleepless love Where'er you roam, Shall watch beside the camp And guard the home. Your comrades wind and sun; Your book the world Your lamp, the unaltered law; Your flag unfurled.
Glad hearts etc.
The sword may fall to rust, And kingdoms fail Still stands your promise sire Love shall prevail When you are old and grey When youth is gone Still shall you sing to those Who follow on.
Glad hearts etc.
I hope you enjoy singing this and reliving your old school days. Were you ever a Girl Guide I wonder? Martin Shaw wrote this and other pieces specially for the GGA. By a strange chance, I too have done the same, as I was the GGA music consultant for 6 years back in the 70s and then founded the National Scouts and Guides Symphony Orchestra, which still is running here in the UK. In 1989 I conducted them on the lawn of the white House in Washington.
Have you come across the first recording of Shaw's songs? I worked on the research for four years and the CD was released in February of this year. It is titled The Airmen: songs of Martin Shaw and is readily available on Amazon.
Best wishes
George Odam Emeritus Professor
Re: Martin Shaw songs
Posted by margaret mckerrow on June 27, 2012, 4:17 am, in reply to "Re: Martin Shaw songs"
Thank you Prof. Odam, I am thrilled that I can now walk down memory lane correctly! Thank you for the info regarding the new CD I will definately check it out. Margaret McKerrow
Margaret, alerted by the correspondence that the CD of Martin Shaw's songs has been released, I've just received a review copy. I hope the review will appear on MusicWeb before too long.
Re: Martin Shaw songs
Posted by chris howell on July 15, 2012, 11:31 am, in reply to "Re: Martin Shaw songs" 95.224.218.33
Two songs by Martin Shaw have just been set down by Sheva Collection as part of a CD dedicated to Christina Rossetti. The songs are "Over the Sea" and "Easter Carol". At the time the project was planned I had no knowledge of the "Airmen" CD, let alone its content, though given the Rossetti theme I may have gone on to duplicate "Over the Sea" - a beautiful song - anyway. At least the life-affirming "Easter Carol" should be new to the Shaw discography. This material awaits editing, booklet notes etc. but I hope the CD will be out before the end of the year.
Chris Howell
Re: Martin Shaw songs
Posted by Joanna Godfree on October 24, 2012, 9:34 am, in reply to "Re: Martin Shaw songs"
Hello - I can recall a lot of the words (I left Ashford in '69) but the tune is slipping in and out of my brain. Is there anywhere I can track down the shhet music? Many thanks!
Re: Martin Shaw songs
Posted by George Odam on October 24, 2012, 10:01 am, in reply to "Re: Martin Shaw songs"
Hello Joanna
I will try to help but you do not tell me to which song you are referring. Give me some of the words and I expect I can be of help.
Re: Martin Shaw songs
Posted by Joanna Godfree on October 24, 2012, 10:10 am, in reply to "Re: Martin Shaw songs"
Hello George - many thanks for such a quick reply, and apologies for my typo. I was after the music of Glad Hearts, which was what a number of the previous posters had been talking about -the 'Liberty Hymn' at Ashford School for Girls. If it is sung to the tune of a well-known hymn the name of that would be very helpful. I can NEARLY recall it, but not quite! Thanks again for any help.
Re: Martin Shaw songs
Posted by George Odam on October 24, 2012, 10:26 am, in reply to "Re: Martin Shaw songs"
OK Send me an email to g.odam@talktalk.net and I can send you PDFs of the music. It is out of print. It was written for the Girl Guides Association with words by the then Chief Commissioner. Martin Shaw wrote several things for the GGA, as did I many years later, and I became their Music Consultant!
Wow!! What a coincidence I was having a dinner party recently and we started talking about our school hymn, I remember Glad Hearts Adventuring but couldn't remember much more of the words decided to check it out when I saw all the wordsit made the hair on the back of my neck stand up,last time I sang this song It was my last day of school way back in 1960. Thanks Prof Odam for bringing back long forgotten memories. Regards Roger
Re: Martin Shaw songs
Posted by Ruth Murray on April 7, 2013, 6:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Martin Shaw songs"
This was Los my old school song. We have a school reunion on 19/20th April 2013 and I also was looking for the words. Thank you . Ruth fron UK