It was a lively gathering as usual last night, if smaller than last time. The repertoire of those attending is impressive and there seems to be a good deal of knowledge of songs, writers and singers among you all, including Ray who doesn't sing (or prefers not to, perhaps) but certainly seems to know his onions. James provided the lions share of the tunes this time on button accordion, with the addition of some smallpipe tunes from David. The other instrumentalist was Carol, accompanying herself on guitar.
We started off with a strong female contingent and, after a natter, Eliza opened with a song learned from Silly Sisters (June Tabor and Maddy Prior), 'The Seven Wonders.' Carol threw down the gauntlet with a fabulous Les Barker parody of 'My Husband's Got no Courage in Him' learned from Norma Waterson's singing, the title of which substitutes the word 'Courage' for 'Porridge' which will give you an idea of where it might go. Katy's first offering was 'When Your Time o' Work is Done,' and 'Miriam's, Heather Dale's 'The Maid and the Selkie' in which, as Miriam pointed out, things end well, unusual for songs based on the selkie myth.' Beth's first was Emily Smith's, 'Put your Hand in Mine,' and Dawn joined us, beginning with,John Warner's lovely nostalgic song remembering the classroom, 'I Remember How the Ryans Came to School.' When the men joined us, David sang Cicely Fox Smith's 'The Race of Long Ago.' and Robbie, Harvey Andrew's 'The Soldier.'
At various points in the proceedings James played a set of Irish Jigs, one of which was 'One Hundred Pipers.' He later gave us Jerry Holland's Lonesome Eyes,''The Dance of the Riug Salmon' (some of us heard this as the 'rogue salmon' which produced an interesting picture) and also, 'Miss Monaghan's (a reel) as well as a couple of other nameless ones. 'David's tunes on pipes were 'Never Loved Thee More,' 'Bobbin' Joan,' 'Mount Your Baggage' and 'Pawkey Adam Glenn.'
At various points in the proceedings James played a set of Irish Jigs, one of which was 'One Hundred Pipers.' He later gave us Jerry Holland's Lonesome Eyes,''The Dance of the Riug Salmon' (some of us heard this as the 'rogue salmon' which produced an interesting picture) and also, 'Miss Monaghan's (a reel) as well as a couple of other nameless ones. 'David's tunes on pipes were 'Never Loved Thee More,' 'Bobbin' Joan,' 'Mount Your Baggage' and 'Pawkey Adam Glenn.'
Eliza later sang 'The False Knight on the Road' and had a go at Burns' 'Westling Winds,' helped out by Beth.
Carol accompanied herself on guitar for a great Mike Silver song (didn't get title and can't find it based on my scribble) and 'Dougie McClean's, 'Down too Deep,' as well as the rousing chorus, 'Yellow's on the Broom' and Dick Gaughan's anthem for independence with mutual respect, 'Both Sides of Tweed.' Miriam also gave us her haunting, 'Twa Corbies' and the gently humorous, 'Courting too Slow'
As a collector of many years Katy has much to delve into and there were some gems last night, Violet Jacob's powerful Scots dialect poem, 'The Norlan' Wind' set to music by Jim Reid as well as the mysterious traditional tale song, As I was Going to Banbury' which features salmon found in the head of a dead man, her choice inspired by James' earlier salmon tune.'
Beth's, 'There were Roses' by Tommy Sands spoke to and complemented Robbie's previous, 'The Soldier' (about senseless killing of people on all sides in the Northern Ireland conflict) and the Traditional 'The Blacksmith.' Eliza followed this with 'The Allensford Pursuit' based on evidence collected at witch trials at Morpeth Assizes which also has the transformations during pursuit. As was remarked, the female is outdone in these ritualized mating conflicts, though there are two versions in which this could be said to be ambiguous. Implied violence against the female precludes the singing of them for some, though I, for one, find the animal transformations anthropologically intriguing - but then i'm a sucker for mythological remnants.
Dawn later sang Jez Lowe's, 'The Big Fear' from the point of view of the animals who can become roadkill on the night of the lone badger's death and 'For the Lack of Honest Work.' Robbie gave us his favourite and ours, 'Over the Hills and Far Away' and David, Mike Harding's 'King Cotton,' inspired by a walk in the Rossendale valley.
Beth's, 'There were Roses' by Tommy Sands spoke to and complemented Robbie's previous, 'The Soldier' (about senseless killing of people on all sides in the Northern Ireland conflict) and the Traditional 'The Blacksmith.' Eliza followed this with 'The Allensford Pursuit' based on evidence collected at witch trials at Morpeth Assizes which also has the transformations during pursuit. As was remarked, the female is outdone in these ritualized mating conflicts, though there are two versions in which this could be said to be ambiguous. Implied violence against the female precludes the singing of them for some, though I, for one, find the animal transformations anthropologically intriguing - but then i'm a sucker for mythological remnants.
Dawn later sang Jez Lowe's, 'The Big Fear' from the point of view of the animals who can become roadkill on the night of the lone badger's death and 'For the Lack of Honest Work.' Robbie gave us his favourite and ours, 'Over the Hills and Far Away' and David, Mike Harding's 'King Cotton,' inspired by a walk in the Rossendale valley.
James rounded off proceedings with 'The One Horned Sheep.' and 'The Redesdale Hornpipe '
Next month's date is Tuesday September the 22nd. It would be great to see you all then for the sharing of songs and tunes interlaced with congenial conversation.
- Eliza
Next month's date is Tuesday September the 22nd. It would be great to see you all then for the sharing of songs and tunes interlaced with congenial conversation.
- Eliza
