Words to Harbor Lights?

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

If you know them, would you be so kind as to post them? Thanks,

carl

Mike Neer · From: NJ

HARBOR LIGHTS
(Kennedy/Williams)

I saw the harbor lights.
They only told me we were parting.
Those same old harbor lights
That once brought you to me.

I watched the harbor lights
How could I stop the tears from starting?
Some other harbor lights will steal your love from me.

I longed to hold you near
And kiss you just once more.
But you were on the ship
And I was on the shore.

Now I know lonely nights.
And all the while my heart is whispering.
Some other harbor lights will steal your love from me.

At one point in time, I used to back up The "Platters" (note the "", I think only one original member) on guitar whenever they were in NY in the late 80s. When I was a kid I inherited my parents' 45s and these were some of my faves.

[This message was edited by Mike Neer on 13 June 2004 at 12:03 PM.]

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Carl,
I went to www.google.com and searched for:
lyrics Harbor Lights

There were tons of results.
Here's one: http://members.aol.com/kkcowgirl/mrharbor.htm

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Thank you gentleman. Now I must tell you I had several reasons for wanting to find the words. For one it was the only way I could think of that would lead me to my next question.

Take a look at the second line of the opening verse. Then look at the word "parting". Now my question is this? Is the syllable "part" when converted to the music, a diminished chord or is it a major chord? IE, in the key of Eb, one should play a D chord?

In other words:

1. part=D major

2. ing=Eb.

The reason for my question is; I have heard it played both ways. But how is it written; and if you play the tune which do you use? The other reason is I wanted to know all the words to such a beautiful song I have played since 1951 but never heard it sung. I learned it from JB on the Harmoicats classic recording that was recorded back then.

Thanks for the help.

May Jesus bless you,

carl

[This message was edited by C Dixon on 13 June 2004 at 01:47 PM.]

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

I've alway done it using a dimished chord for "part".

Actually I treat "parting" as a three syllable word.
"Pa R Ting".

The first two syllables have two different voicings of the dim chord, by sliding it up.

I don't know it that's correct, but I've been doing it that way since my teens, nobody complained yet.

With that much time into it, I'm not going to change now.
It's not wrong, it's my style.

[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 13 June 2004 at 02:32 PM.]

Bob Hickish · From: Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.

Part - is a --dem. ing -- major

George Rout · From: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

And....if you're an ole tymie guy like me and play it in A Major tuning, the "part" is simply in C# and the "ing" is D. That's the way it's written for the old tuning. Geo

Donald Ruetenik · From: Pleasant Hill, California, USA

My vote's for the original Platters' rendition.

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

And what chords did they use in the Platter's recording?

Also, after all the responses (thanks) I imagine what happened is this; the composer used a dim chord, but some Hawaiian guitar players probably used a major instead. So if the rest of the band played a major also, it worked. However, I really believe the sheet music would show a dim chord there. Not sure.

Does anyone know where I might get a hold of the sheet music? Also, does anyone know the key in which it was written?

Again, thanks for all the responses,

carl

Blake Hawkins · From: Florida

Carl, I have the sheet music. It is in Eb,

and, yes, it uses a diminished chord.

Ebdim Eb
PART-----ING

Blake

[This message was edited by Blake Hawkins on 14 June 2004 at 09:26 AM.]

Mike Neer · From: NJ

Wow, it's hard to believe that this would be the only version of the song you've heard.

Have a listen to this version by Frances Langford, with Sam Koki. Now THAT'S some Hawaiian steel playing.

[This message was edited by Mike Neer on 14 June 2004 at 10:03 AM.]

[This message was edited by Mike Neer on 14 June 2004 at 10:22 AM.]

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Thank you Blake.

That confirms my thoughts for soo many years. It shows also that once again, players will take it upon themselves to simply rewrite the music. And in some cases, it becomes the norm. More than a few players I perceive play the "part" chord as a D major if they play it as a triad.

Is there any way you could copy that music and send it to me in an email. Or snail mail it? I will be happy to pay the costs.

I am reminded of the lone dim chord that is written in the old hymn "In The Garden". In all my years I have rarely ever heard a steel player play that dim chord. In most cases a minor or major is substituted instead. I always wonder if anyone else catches it.

For a person that was drilled and drilled by an ole Mama Lion when I was learning music, it makes it difficult on my tired ole ears when I hear a chord subbed for a dim. Since I know of no other chord that can adaquately sub for the tension a dim chord provides.

Oh well

The late Curly Chalker and I talked about this aspect of music and players one night in Nashville at length. I left there spell bound. Of course IMO, no player on earth was more qualified to discuss chords and harmony because he was truly the chord King on the PSG.

Finally, thank you Mike Near for posting that. I love that type of steel guitar playing. I must admit, had I heard that recording (I haven't) in earlier years I would not have heard one single word. I am one of probably a very miniscule few players who tunes 100% of all words out of all songs; if there is a steel in it.

If you are an electronic tech you will understand it when I say my ears have an infinite Q when it comes to tuning out what I don't wish to hear

If you doubt this, ask my wife

carl

Danny James · From: Summerfield Florida USA

Carl,
Years ago I transposed Harbor Lights from the sheet music (Eb)to tablature for the Multi-Kord. I still play it in Eb and I do use the Eb dim. when I play it. I may still have the sheet music.
Danny

Bob Hickish · From: Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.

This was a timely post ! Believe it or not I had dug through my old sheet music so I could relearn the tune [ I played it years ago ] and when I read this post I had the music in my hand - its not that I knew that it was a diminished !!! it was in front of me .and thanks so much for the MP3 that will make it all the easier - I'm a western Swinger and you guys are turning me on to
that good old Hawaiian sound

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

Mike Neer · From: NJ

Carl, I'd say that puts you in the majority, not minority!

Wow, that's shocking to me! I'd rather listen to a good vocalist any day. There's nothing more beautiful than the sound of the human voice. And what's a song without it's words?

[This message was edited by Mike Neer on 15 June 2004 at 01:22 PM.]

George Rout · From: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

Hey Mike, have your never played with a vocalist who sang off key????!!!!! Geo

Mike Neer · From: NJ

Hey Mike, have your never played with a vocalist who sang off key????!!!!!

For the most part, I've managed to steer clear of those. I've made my living over the years by playing guitar and singing. It's only in the last few years that I am a sideman, and only recently that I'm playing steel professionally.
But we were talking about listening to singers, and as I mentioned GOOD singers, not backing up mediocre singers. I still stand by my statement that I'd rather listen to a good singer any day over a steel.

Rick Aiello · From: Berryville, VA USA

Mike Neer · From: NJ

Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?

[This message was edited by Mike Neer on 16 June 2004 at 11:21 AM.]

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

And I thought it was the amplitude of the oscillation! Darn.

Bob Hickish · From: Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.

Carl
Do you know if anybody ever plays the first part of Harbor Lights ? - or is it the norm to just play the Refrain - I don't ever remember hearing what is on the first page of the sheet music . other than that 4 bar intro ???????????

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

When I played 6tring hawaiian. If the song was in Eb and called for a Eb dim, I went to D one fret down and pick the 3rd and 5th (only two notes) then slide up to Eb again.

We did pretty good without pedals in those days.

So Carl is correct again. (2 note Dim on PART and slide back to Eb major on ING.....al

------------------
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

I don't know Bob,

I have never seen the music and the only recording I ever heard of it for many years was the Harmonicats version featuring Jerry Byrd when I was in College in '51.

Recently, I had someone send me a "harmonicats" recording, but it was not the Harmonicats. And sadly it was not JB. But the person sending it to me thought it was. So that is the 2nd one I ever heard. Like the Harmonicats one, there was no singing on it. Then the posting above is the 3rd recording I ever heard.

Ray Montee sent me the original Harmonicats version. I shall be eternally greatful to
Ray for doing this. Since "Harbor Lights" by JB is my second all time favorite by him. Second only to "LaGolendrina".

But I will know soon Bob.

Blake Hawkins is kind enough to send me the sheet music. And I will find out what I been doing wrong

By the way, I have a video of Jerry doing it (I have never seen him do it in person), and it is the most beautiful rendition I have ever heard. I did not think the Harmonicats version could be improved upon, but this video one just blows me away.

Incidently, over in the music section, I was in a nice way taken to task about my tuning the singer out when there is a recording with steel in it.

I can only say and I believe this with all my heart, that if most had been with Ray, Roy, Al, Al Stotler, and I, and so many others, over those many nostalgic years when Jerry played the "music", I believe they would see why some of us tune the singers out. I do not believe there is a singer on the face of this earth that can touch what Jerry gets on a steel guitar.

That is my story and I am sticking to it.

carl

[This message was edited by C Dixon on 16 June 2004 at 08:23 PM.]

Bob Hickish · From: Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.

Carl
I understand exactly what you are saying about tuning out what you don't want to hear - and especially when it comes to the steel guitar ! I do the same thing - My wife will say " ya gota play that so lode !! and all I hear is the steel in the background - So Fret Not Fellow muter your not alone ;]

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