I think I’m probably most familiar with Richard Thompson doing this and it first appeared on his album with Linda, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight, but Jon remembers Adrian Matthews, “Adrian from FSC taught me this at an impressionable age (he also taught me Prickle-Eye Bush). Bellowhead used to do a pretty mean version too but it got lost somewhere along the way.” You’ll find this on Richard’s site here.
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A genuinely curious item of which Jon Says, “I grew up listening to the McGarrigles, I absolutely love the sound of their voices, particularly when singing in French. This is a fun little song. Useful for science GCSE exams too as I recall.” Sadly of course Kate died early this year and I suspect it might be her scientific bent behind this, as she studied engineering while Anna painted. I have a copy of The McGarrigle Hour at home that I haven’t listened to in years, but recall being utterly smitten by it, so will have to dig it out (thanks for the nudge Jon.) Call me an anthropomorphic, old softy, but I love the way this turns scientific rationalism on its head (we know how but will we ever really know why) as a metaphor for human relationships.
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Another rousing Ballamy derived song, in this case a hymn and Jon Says, “One of the highlights of the Both Sides Then album with the Watersons and Anthea Bellamy chipping in with some pretty scary harmonies.” The words come form the same pen as Amazing Grace, John Newton and as you’ll see on Mainly Norfolk even Bellamy is confused about his source for this. This link gives the date as 1779 and has the full eight verses. Newton himself is another incredible character, a slave trader who spent some years as a slave himself (the biter bit), but eventually became a radical, evangelical preacher and ultimately denounced slavery. Although that final act of conscience came, by his own admission, regrettably late in life, he was none the less an effective voice, joining William Wiberforce and living to see the successful passing of the Slave Trade Act. Here’s the Wiki page on him.
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Another of Bellamy’s settings of a poem to music this time from the pen of Australian Henry Lawson and Jon says, “From the fabulous Second Wind album which I am hoping EFDSS will get around to reissuing at some point.” Bellamy’s original notes can be read on Mainly Norfolk and it’s notable that he compares Lawson to Kipling in explaining his rationale for doing this. I’d also say that Lawson’s original has the sense of a song lyric to it with a twice repeated chorus (if you will.) Jon slightly confuses some of the words, but hey! That’s the folk process and as I can’t even remember all of the titles from one day to the next, let alone the lyrics, I think he’s forgiven as this is lovely. Hauntingly sad and definitely one of my favourites so far. The poem was written in 1901 and should you want a quick introduction to its author, then Wiki has an interesting page.
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A humorous interlude from the pen of Tom Lehrer, of which Jon says, “This is a great favourite around the campfire of the FSCs, particularly with the younger children for some reason.” There are a couple more verses in Tom’s version, which he called The Irish Ballad, originally recorded in 1953. This Wiki link has the details, but note the cost and initially humble ambition sold on mail order. The songs were re-recorded live for Tom Leherer Revistited in 1960 and you’ll find the lyrics and a transcript of his witty introduction (although it certainly won’t read as well as it will plays) by following this link. I love Tom Lehrer’s stuff, he was a seriously clever man with a sadly short musical career (just 37 songs’ worth)and you can read all about him on Wiki should it take your fancy.
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