English Folk Songs

[philmayfield 6,140]

Way back in the ‘50’s at primary school we used to sing English folk songs in the weekly music lesson. I presume all Notts schools used the same song book. Can anyone remember the title?

In later years we regularly used to go to the folk clubs in pubs in Southwell, Newark and Cropwell Bishop and hear celebrity artists and local singers. Have folk clubs died out now?

[Cliff Ton 10,467]

Something to do with Cecil Sharp ?

[philmayfield 6,140]

He was the great collector of English folk songs as you know but I don’t recollect his name on the cover.

[The Pianoman 1,535]

One of Cecil J Sharps collection dished up for piano by Percy Grainger, played by me. Sorry, camera was out in the wind.

 

 

[philmayfield 6,140]

I bought a fancy electronic keyboard to teach myself to play during the Covid lockdown. I never reached that standard and it sits there unused now. 

[Cliff Ton 10,467]

Quite a few options on what the book may have been.

 

https://shorturl.at/co156

[Jill Sparrow 10,307]

Good old Percy Grainger. Haven't heard that for years.

[philmayfield 6,140]

Yes, I've been browsing those. It did have a plain cover as I remember.

[Cliff Ton 10,467]

I've always remembered the name Sabine Baring-Gould from early school days, in connection with hymns and folk songs. 

 

And never having known any other person named Sabine, I always assumed it was a woman. I discovered only a few years ago that it's a man.

 

His main claim to fame may be writing 'Onward Christian Soldiers'.

[philmayfield 6,140]

I've been singing 'Hills of the North Rejoice' today. Have I found religion at last? 

[Jill Sparrow 10,307]

Little Cornard, I hope. Composer, Martin Shaw.  It was a favoured hymn at Manning... along with Jerusalem. I suppose they assumed we'd all grow up to be members of the WI.

[Beekay 5,151]

Do you mean to say you weren't a W.I. officienado ma'am?

[Cliff Ton 10,467]

3 hours ago, The Pianoman said:

One of Cecil J Sharps collection dished up for piano by Percy Grainger, played by me. Sorry, camera was out in the wind.

 

The next meet-up needs to be in a place which has a piano, and you can play music to accompany us while we eat.

[philmayfield 6,140]

I have it on good authority that the WI don’t sing Jerusalem any more. Not in this village anyway. Their meetings are totally secular.

[Jill Sparrow 10,307]

39 minutes ago, Beekay said:

Do you mean to say you weren't a W.I. officienado ma'am?

I don't know one end of a jam jar from another, Beekay.

[philmayfield 6,140]

They don’t make jam either. Last week’s meeting was something to do with looking after your bowels! 

[The Pianoman 1,535]

47 minutes ago, Cliff Ton said:

 

The next meet-up needs to be in a place which has a piano, and you can play music to accompany us while we eat.

So who is going to play the piano to accompany me while I eat?  

[IAN FINN 808]

We will book Mr Joe Piano Henderson.

[Beekay 5,151]

I could always play the spoons. 

[Dark Angel 138]

Sabine Baring-Gould, did he not write about Werewolves?

Some rusty door in the recess of my mind has allowed a glimmer of light to enter.( Or not.)

[LizzieM 9,510]

4 hours ago, The Pianoman said:

So who is going to play the piano to accompany me while I eat?  

I have a feeling you are the most proficient pianist on the Nottstalgia forum Malcolm!  

[Oztalgian 3,298]

What about Rambling Syd Rumpo and this Lincolnshire ditty

 

https://youtu.be/--jGP5T28QY?list=OLAK5uy_l9wbwhy5ksWIVaDza4sFDKYB--uGWP5K8

 

[DJ360 6,730]

@ Mal.. I'm very envious of your piano skills.  I can't get both sets of fingers to do the same thing at the same time, much less different things...

 

I believe Cecil Sharpe House in London is still the HQ of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. An enquiry via their website might get results.

 

https://www.efdss.org/cecil-sharp-house

 

We sang follk songs too, though the only ones I clearly recall are 'The Raggle Taggle Gypsies Oh!, and 'Soldier Soldier Will You Marry Me?'

 

We were forced also to sing. 'My Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown', which isn't English..or a folk song. It's an American song first featured in a 1919 Broadway Musical called 'Irene'., but I digress.. I liked the tune, but hated having to sing those words as an 8 or 9 year old BOY!!! 

 

Peak Folk Club activity here seems to have been in the 70s-90s, when I was a regular at a club in St Helens, which later moved to a couple of venues in this village before seemingly fizzling out. Not sure what's happening here.  Also, there's a very strong Irish influence, partly due to our proximity to Liverpool, but that's not a problem for me. I like all decent Folk music.