Jon simply attributes his source for this moving epic as Louis Killen thus, “Lou Killen’s calling card. Reproduced here with deference to the master.” This thread from mudcat again has the lyrics and source information, which seems to indicate that this has crossed the Atlantic from Newfoundland.
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Jon attributes the learning of this to Forest School Camps (you can follow this link to read more about them here) and it’s one of several annotated as such. The cockade is of course a symbol of allegiance, which in this case isn’t specified, but a quick bit of delving seems to indicate the Jacobites and King Charles as possible. Naturally enough there are other songs of the same name to confuse the picture, notably from the pen of Robbie Burns. This also seems to be known as The Soldier’s Farewell and possibly as My Love Has ‘Listed, having one of the commonest themes found in country songs that tells of the fortunes of a girl and her young man who leaves her to join the army. The mudcat link here is also the closest lyrical match although the order of the verses is different as is some of the detail.
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Song five for day five is Earl Richard, which Jon picked up from Maddy Prior & Tim Hart, although as he says, “It’s only half the story – check out Young Hunting for the exciting conclusion.” A version of this appeared on the first Spiers & Boden CD Through & Through, but I’m afraid I can’t comment on that further as the CD is currently unavailable. So if you have a copy I’d like to know more. You’ll find it’s referenced in this Mudcat thread as well, where the lyrics have a decidedly Scottish flavor that seems to fit the songs history as it was collected there. The thread also hints at different interpretations – always good for a spiky debate!!
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Day four and here’s the song that Jon sang on the Mike Harding show last week One Night As I Lay On My Bed, which belongs to the family of night-visit songs. Jon claims Louis Killen as his source of this, although a quick search also reveals versions by Steeleye on their debut Hark! The Village Wait, June Tabor on Abyssinians and Shirley Collins on Adieu To Old England.
As always there are lyrical variants, with some following events through to the following morning. It’s also markedly similar to Cold, Haily, Rainy Night, although it’s a bitter wind to be endured here. Here’s another Mudcat link for you to explore if you want to.
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Day three and Young Roger Esquire, which Jon learnt from Peter Ballamy, as he explains…
“A real Bellamy tour-de-force of which, this is a pale imitation. Fantastic song though.”
Also known as Roger The Miller and The Grey Mare, you’ll find a Mudcat thread or two here. The lyrics are slightly differently constructed to the version Jon sings and there are even some extra verses.
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