About us
Worship and Events
Writing
Contact us
|
Serving God in the heart of our community since 1881 St Andrew's Church, Taunton |
 |
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
Morningtown Ride
It's amazing how many of these pieces have their origins on a motorway somewhere. Last week I was driving along the M42 listening to Terry Wogan (OK, you've got me - I'm a 'TOG' - and what is more I've reached the age where I don't feel inclined to apologise for it!) when he played The Seekers singing 'Morningtown Ride'.
I cannot remember the last time I heard that song. Certainly it was many, many years ago. It was one of the first '45s' that we had in our house when I was a child, played on a 'Collard' mono record player with valves, that needed you to pull the pick-up arm to the right in order to start the turntable, and with a ceramic pickup cartridge which tracked at about a pound and a half. It was brilliant.
So this unexpected blast from the past sneaked past my defences and before I knew it I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes (I'm a soft, sentimental old webmaster!) At 60mph on the M42 this is not an ideal state of affairs so I stopped off at the next services to pull myself together.
I am sure I must have heard Morningtown Ride since childhood, but I really can't remember when. It went to number 1 in the UK charts in 1966 - I was 5 at the time! Anyway, as I listened to it, digitally revitalised and in FM quality three things struck me.
The first was that was this is a lullaby, and a very beautiful one. I think when I heard it as a child I was more interested in the fact that it was about trains.
This was confirmed when I researched the song later. I discovered that it was written in 1957 by Malvina Reynolds, pictured below.
In a radio interview in 1977 she said "Once in a while I have something in particular to say [to children]--well, let’s take a song like 'Morningtown Ride.' I remember how it was when I was little. I know youngsters hate to go to bed at night because it seems like, as far as they’re concerned, it is the end of the world. Going to sleep means you are going to be cut off from everything, and I wanted to help them understand that they were heading somewhere, when they got into bed, that they were heading for morning. And strangely enough, this song became a grown-up hit all over the world. It really amazed me...”
And thirdly, it struck me that as Christians who are rockin', rollin', ridin' on a journey through our lives to a place we're sometimes not too sure about, here is a message of comfort and assurance for moments when we are anxious. Although not overtly religious it is a song full of peace, and hope for the future.
"Somewhere
there is sunshine, somewhere there is day
If, as 'grown up' Christians, these words touch some deep part of us, the knowledge that they were originally written for children should not surprise us. We are, after all, each of us a child of God. No matter how self-assured and 'adult' we may try to be, from time to time we all need some reassurance that we are loved and that everything is going to be alright.
Perhaps, for those of us at St. Andrew's, this song may have a special resonance. Since 1881 we have rejoiced in being God's 'Railway Children', and are now welcoming more little travellers to join us on our journey...
All aboard!
Adrian
Webmaster
P.S. Do take a look at the video links in the right hand column - they're classics! The photo is a detail of the 'Railway Window' in St. Andrew's Church. NOTE: I am the webmaster of St. Andrew's Church, not clergy or a reader. I write as 'a man in a pew' and the opinions stated are personal. You should not assume that I necessarily know what I'm talking about, or that what I say reflects the views of other people in our church! |
Morningtown Ride
Words and Music by Malvina Reynolds
(1900 - 1978)
Train whistle
blowin', makes a sleepy noise
Underneath their blankets go all the girls and boys
Rockin', Rollin', Ridin', out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown, many miles a-way
Driver at the engine, Fireman rings the bell
Sandman swings the lantern to say that all is well
Rockin', Rollin', Ridin', out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown, many miles a-way
Maybe it is raining where our train will ride
All the little trave'lers are warm and snug in-side
Rockin', Rollin', Ridin', out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown, many miles a-way
Somewhere there is sunshine, somewhere there is day
Somewhere there is Morningtown, many miles a-way
Rockin', Rollin', Ridin', out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown, many miles a-way
All bound for Morningtown, many miles a-way
Hear the song, see the Seekers
If you fancy relaxing in a warm bath of nostalgia you can see and hear The Seekers singing Morningtown Ride
This video is a real gem of The Seekers singing the song in an outdoor concert, and is of good sound quality, clearly showcasing Judith Durham's stunning voice.
This one is an appallingly contrived ancient video featuring members of the band, but which has the redeeming feature of probably being the recording most of us are familiar with, and it has a very cute dog in it.
There are several other videos of concert footage and Judith's solo performances of the song on YouTube - use the above links and look at the right hand menus.
To download the original song for the princely sum of 79 pence click here.
The Seekers were a folk influenced group who formed in Melbourne Australia in 1962, but later found success in the UK before making a triumphant return to their native Australia. In addition to Judith, the group consisted of Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley. Morningtown Ride went to number 1 in the British charts in December 1966. For detailed information on the group click here.
The writer of the song Malvina Reynolds, was born in 1900, Malvina Milder, of Jewish socialist immigrant parents in San Francisco. Information about her life can be found at here.
Page updated 03/11/2007
