A Tide in the Affairs of Man the Coughton Conspiracy

A Tide in the Affairs of Man 41 In the early dawn, grazing, By Avon's banks, swathed in mist. One by one, shapes disappear. Charlecote was the place where William stalked that morning, Singling-out a doe, he took his aim As he drew his bow he felt a hand upon his shoulder And paid a heavy price for playing such a dangerous game In disgrace found his way to London town. Twas there he made his name, we know him now as William Shakespear The power of his fame came from his words, Now the games are plays, he plays the game of lording over The Lords and Ladies wished to be companion to his light Even those at Charlecote Park, they had heard. The King of Drama came triumphantly back to Stratford Tragedy has now become a lark The grandson of the man who banished Wiliiam in his youth Is now the Lord & welcomes Shakespear back...... to Charlecote Park. http://cresby.com © Cresby Brown and Chris Evans Aug 1997 Julius Caesar Act 4 Scene 3 spoken by Brutus to Cassius in Brutus's tent ....There is a tide in the affairs of men Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures.

The Coughton Conspiracy chorus Remember! Remember! The fifth of November: gunpowder, treason and plot. We may have forgotten the truth and the reason, but rhyme we certainly have not. Not all of the land agreed on religion, Henry the eighth took all churches not hearts. And so by the year of sixteen and hundred, Some noblemen thus stood apart. chorus Guy Fawkes we know as the evil agressor, who tried to blow parliament up but was caught With fuses in pocket near gunpowder barrels, BUT who was it paid for the plot? chorus What little we know of the schemers of treason, is fuserlier Guido did not act alone The seeds of sedition and rebel dissention, By Robert Catesby were sown. chorus Tortured and tried then hung drawn and quartred, each head of the eight proclaimed on a stake They'd known all along of planing and timing, that trial was nought but a fake. chorus I see no reason, why gunpowder treason, should ever, be, forgot. © Cresby Brown and Chris Evans. Aug 1997 Coughton (pronounced cof or cow take your pick) Court nr Alcester Warwickshire was the midland focus for the Catholic uprising of in the wake of the Reformation and then the Armada. On November 4/5th 1605 the conspirators' wives waited here for news of the Plot. 41 words & music © 42 Stain on My Floor Sept 1997 Cresby Brown Stain on My Character, Stain on my floor, Slain was the priest who darkened my door A god fearing man, who questioned my church, who questioned my wife, her did so besmirch Though why he resorted to physical blows, a-choking of her, well nobody knows Such (a) brash ungodly arrogant gall, cried out for action, so I started the brawl Stain on My Character, Stain on my floor, Slain was the priest who darkened my door A defenseless lass so (prim) and demure, devoted in motherhood, all fervant and pure, In the name of the Lord we hold so dear, why did he have her by the throat in such fear? My sword at my hip was drawn in a trice, with cut and thrust, and parry and slice Stain on My Character, Stain on my floor, Slain was the priest who darkened my door Character assasignation? Suggest kept short and plenty of music, try a Morris tune (Staines Morris?) but no tune as yet Nicholas Blome Squire of Baddesly Clinton Manor discovered the priest throttling his wife. Why? Don't know, but it makes for good copy.

The Roman Way, Chastleton's Chalice, A Tide in the Affairs of Man, The Coughton Conspiracy, Stain on My Floor, If Oi be Oi, Lola's Flowers, Paper Chase, Cotswold Air, Dover's Soul, Lord Nelson were all written specifically for a tapes of songs relating to tourist attractions in localised areas, in these cases Cotswolds and Herefordshire If Oi be Oi A farmer sold his chickens at market, !"#! and straightway homeward rightly trot, !"#! the Bird in Hand, was close at hand, !"#! but close at home he right was not. !"#! (guitar riff using tune with Home connections Home Sweet Home, Old Folks at Home etc) One pint was gone and more beer was ordered, !"#! despite his vision being blurred. !"#! In no time at all he was singing loudly, !"#! though every word he slurred !"#! (guitar riff using tune with beer connections or innebriated dischordant arythmic riff!) Young tykes decided a trick to play on him, !"#! and his hosses they un did hitch. !"#! Round the back they led both nags and, !"#! he came out and fell in the ditch !"#! (guitar riff using tune thast tumbles on the last few notes ) If Oi be Oi , Oi've lost two hosses , !"#! all going home to Westbury. !"#! If Oi bent Oi , Oi've found a waggon, $!"#! now tell Oi how's thet con be !"#! (guitar riff using tune from Uncle Tom Cobley (words lend I your gray mare)) words & music © CRESBY Sept 1997 42 Lord Nelson 43

words & music © CRESBY Nov 1997

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Lord Nelson lay plotting his battle to run and called up his officers and masters of his gun Now England expects all men the Admiral did say To do of their duty and win forth this day. Lord Nelson stood watching the heat of the fight Resplendant in his blue and gold braid so bright On high at Trafalgar a French sniper aimed And Nelson was hit and mortally maimed Lord Nelson lay dying and on his deathbed Called for his officers and to Hardy this he said Fate has come calling, tis kismet you know But my eyes grow dim so soon I must go. Lord Nelson they laid in a barrel of rum And long in his memory sailors sing this anthem With a drink to his boldness and tough discipline Then one more for luck and one more for each win. Lord Nelson still lives with each swig of the grog When mainsails are hoisted by each salty old sea dog. They sing up his courage with a rousing hussar 'Cos just like them he was a Jack Tar. follow with shanty - a Drop of Nelson's Blood

Oct 21 1805 Nelson died. When they brought officers' bodies home, which was conferred on dignantories, they were preserved in rum barrels, topped-up with the liquour. Hence the sailors' name for the sauce. The standard issue rum was a fairly sweet syrup so both sugar and alcohol acted to prevent decay. The Kymin, above Monmouth has a pavilion and obelisk built (1802) as a tribute to sailors which by popular consensus is regarded as Nelsons monument. The town museum specialises in the Admiral's memorabilia. 43 44 Lola's Flowers Come enjoy the summer hours, by the village square In the garden where the air is...... full of Lola's Flowers Sweet August bloom...... In Bretforton The Fleece Inn bids you welcome, To sink a pint or two. In mem'ry of Lola Taplin. chorus The beams of oak have weather'd Full six solid hundred years. Ales from the barrels flowing. chorus Tables shined with beeswax Polished like silver glass 'blazoned with Lola's flowers chorus ...... in Worcestershire ...... in England © Cresby Brown and Chris Evans Aug 1997 Lola loved white lilies and always had a bowl on a table in the “brew house” room.

Paper Chase http://cresby.com

The Lord of Chastleton died one day, and off to heaven did drift His faithful servant that same day, In sympathy died (so they do say) But the servant being so pious and true, took with him a simple gift.

The two were sat at the pearly gates, and talked of Kingdom come. The servant's gift was a ticket to peace, And he made it smaller with one swift crease. But the squire had nothing to offer and so sat there looking glum.

The ticket deemed much too big, was folded two times more. The nobleman cried lets share your prize, for I am good in my own eyes. For some of your ticket will get me in for that I am certainly sure.

The servant quickly tore a strip off for his aristocrat. But the greedy lord said “My good man”, Come share some more I know you can, So the servant tore and tore until the ticket was but a slat.

St Peter arrived at half past nine to inspect the assembled crowd. St Peter watched and looked askew, As lord Chastleton stood with his tickets two. Who as he opened his bits to view, found out where he was bound.

The humble servant turned in shame fearing the ticket he had Was Tainted by the self same cast, St Peter cautioned “Not so fast! Open the ticket, what you see at last, will make us both so glad.”

This is the rhyme for an old trick of fold and cut. The servant's ticket is in the shape of a cross. The bits of paper that the aristocrat had, came in various "L" and bar formations that are laid out in a swastika. words & music © Sept 1997 Cresby Brown 44 45 Cotswold Air ( Land's Cape) All the tumbl'ing echoes, ever flowing stream Call the nameless birds, they have no name for me. I remain a part of Englands mystery, in the Browning dusk of evening air. The river holds my name if you are listening, When you linger in the twilight you'll find me there. I reserve a whisper for the morning, when the mist is lifting from the ground In the afternoon I'll climb up on the hillside, In the wistfull light of summer I'll be found. All the tumbl'ing echoes, ever flowing stream Call the nameless birds, they have no name for me. And the marks I made are written in the stone. Born along the air, I wander freely, sprinkled on the clover o'er the lea. Like fragrance of the blossom in the orchard, Where the wind would go unbidden you'll find me. You'll find me...... You'll find me...... here. © Cresby Brown and Chris Evans Aug 1997

Lancelot “Capability” Brown designed the vista and the church at Croome Park.

Dover's Soul Dover, to do thee right, who will not strive, That doth in these dull iron times revive The golden Ages glories; which poor wee, Had not so much as dream't on but for thee? As those brave Grecians in their happy days, On mount Olympus to their Hercules Ordain'd their games Olimpick, and so nam'd, Of that great mountain; for those pastimes fam'd: Where then their able Youth, Leapt, Wrestled, Ran, Threw the arm'd dart; and honouir'd was the man that was the Victor; In the circute there The nimble rider and the skil'd Chariotere

Strove for the garland; In those noble times There to their harps sang their rimes; That whilst Greece flourished and was only then Nurse of all arts, and of all famous men:

Numbring their years, still their accounts they made, Either from this or that Olimpiade. So Dover, from these games, by thee begun, Wee'l reckon ours, as time away doth run. words Michael Drayton 1636 (in Annalia Dubrensia), arranged and set to music by Cresby Brown & Chris Evans ©Aug 1997

Robert Dover, instigator of the Cotswold Olimpick Games c1612 45 46 Stand To Hat Tension! or Where do the hats go when, every one goes home, Do they stay in Chippenham, or travel on to Frome? Are they huddled-up in Hatfield, to keep blue titfers warm Or posted back to owners, for their onerous garden gnome? I knew a silly Trilby who, stayed the whole year long © (cap he write) But Trilby will be with us still, immortalised in song Cresby (Red) Brown In sing-arounds and sessions, his ghost is going strong G.A.Neale A.C.I.S. Nasally garrotted in each glottal half dipthong. & Jackie Taylor One hat of mine was sat upon, then drop-kicked through the door That rain hat he got rained on as each drunk slunk to the floor. They used him as a sick bag just to cap it all, what's more: Such capital hoffences should all, be against folk lore. A press gang kept a kepi, in a hat collection rake, Who swore he'd kissed the shilling, not even by mistake, That shilling was quite willing, but with her good name at stake, Both joined the British Legion as, a pounding sore headache. I sawra poor fedora, with a thumb-pin through its brim Hat-tacked upon the dartboard, to the double top so grim Hat-tricks thereon up bonnet, each dart stuck in so trim Precisely piercing letters of a naughty acronym. A biretta shot a french chappeau to wound him very, very And punctured still at Christmas he, made a holy Beret He mitres well go begging but, no cash he can now carry Existence in subsistence this, for one so mercenary! Come all ye bold Sombreros, panamas and knotted rag You brain retaining mortarboards, of ev'ry shape and sag Captive up on Shap over Birkenhead, or Flagg?(in the Peak District) White turban homes have hattics, where you can live in drag. A low scarecrow with hattitude galloped up from Gastard,(village nr Chippenham) Who frightened-off boran players, and on their drinks got plastered, He found drum beating easy, an hattribute he'd mastered, As a canopy for crow-crap, the dirty rotten bounder. My birth sign is a Capricorn, which is a handicap My stars are thee Great Bearskin, where the bear sat down to nap. But someone left the seat up, and he fell straight down the trap Though kept his cockade dry, by adjusting his jockstrap.

This song was the result of a collaboration with fellow songwriting workshop participants at the Chippenham Folk Festival (late May Bank Holiday) 1996. Paul Ryan had a new approach to workshops in that he put people in groups of three and got us throwing in ideas, song styles, tune forms etc which we acted upon. Jackie proposed the concept of: “what happens to all the ostentatious hats that can be seen at festivals when the festivities are over?”. All those closet mad hatters, as sober upstanding pillars of society would not be seen, so behatted, when they sit at their bank managers desk, ergo, where do the hats go? Well that was the theory, this was the result. Not a subject I would have gone for but it does work somewhat. 46 All Around my Hat 47

chorus All around my hat I wears a green willow © CRESBY 9th July 1984 tune - trad Green Willow All around my hat for a twelve month and a day If anyone should ax you, the reason why I wears it Tell them that my true love is far, far, away Twas a-going of my rounds in the folk clubs I met her, I thought she was an angel just come down from the sky. I never did hear a voice more louder and sweeter, She sang, their beer glasses rang, and she caught my eye. (And I caught hers too) chorus A-wandering the streets at the old town’s carnival I was out a-walking with another fella’s friend. Once more we met, and that was my undoing I was being familiar and that I don’t defend. (wot cud a poor fella doo?) chorus Oh we aint so very distant in any thing but spirit Yet that is so much furver than one man can wivstand.

If only we had met, but just one week later (

I’d have been set free from bonds and fairly kissed her hand.(nice hands they is too) spoken words chorus Has his the way of fings, she soon found another. He’s much the better man, that I can’t deny.

He was much fleeter hand more discreter. ) So I sits and sips my drink, and I gives a sigh. (hor Gordon Bennet) chorus So I must depart and curse at my leisure Then hope she can find, in her heart for me: An empty little corner wiv room for my good wishes For her face it drives my dreams, yes most hauntingly. (nightmares sum on ‘em) chorus

Blowing the Glass chorus Blowin’ the glass, Blowin’ the glass, Blow, blow, blowin’ the glass all day. You want a vase , like Ma’s and Pa’s. Show us the style and wait on a while as we’re.....chorus We’ll make that dish, whatever you wish. Copy the best , but better the rest, with zest.....chorus Gatherin’ mass , of crystal glass. Or some such type caught on the blowpipe, down it.....chorus Inflating the ball calls for giving it all.

From lungs filled with the fume in this poky small room made for.....chorus © Cresby 31st Oct 1984 Well turnin’ the sphere & swingin’ it clear Needs the patience of Job, to stretch out the globe when you’re.....chorus Marverin’ bowls , slowly it rolls In shapes that hold when pressed to the mold while still.....chorus Neckin’ the form , while it’s still warm, Spun round the block but slow like the clock we watch.....chorus The punty rod tip , give it a dip. Pick more glass up to fit handle on cup after.....chorus 47 48 Don’t get Married Boys music by Leon Rosselson © words (after Leon Rosselson) by CRESBY 9th May 1985 Leon Rosselson did not specifically give permission for this song Don’t get married boys stay sane if you just can You may start off as a husband but soon be an old “old man”. You could be a virtuous verger, or withdraw and be a monk But Don’t get married boys for marriage is just bunk. Oh its fine when your romancing and a vibrant vamp she’ll play, Cleopatra to your Anthony and let you have your way, And her love is unencumbered, no strings attatched has she But just wait until your wedded & she’ll sing a different key. She takes without complaining, hard won money you provide But you she she has to spend it all like small change on the side. So Don’t get married boys it isn’t worth the cost You may start off as a winner but soon you will get lost. Be a gallant generous gigalo, or gregarious why not? But Don’t get married boys for marriage is a plot. So you drag yourself to work to earn the coppers she will spend, And all day long her curt farewell will drive you round the bend: Words like pittance and penury & what sister Sal can buy Yet by 5 O’clock you homeward slouch still asking “God But WHY?” Cos yer dinner is still simmering, all there is is nappy stew, Well she’s had a busy day with all those friends and coffee too. So Don’t get married boys the jobs are never done Unless unblocking sinks all day is your idea of fun. Be a scoundrel, be a scavenger, or social service sop But Don’t get married boys for marriage is a flop. Yes she treats you like the pet dog Mother would not let her keep Except of course that other dogs have days of endless sleep. Then at the Bosses party, just speaking to his wife Don’t dare exceed a bare 5 minutes if you value life. Of course ignore the harmless father figure she has there He is your boss, its for your good, & yes you’ll have to share. So Don’t get married boys there is no married bliss Just think of all the things you have & all of them you’ll miss. Be a dandy, diletante, or die and be a god, But Don’t get married boys for marriage is a sod. Be a worried social worker or, well, a psychiatric nurse But Don’t get married boys for marriage is a curse

spare

48 Ice Cream 49 Chorus Ice cream door to door for you, Ice cream cornets & wafers too Ice cream door to door Wishing I could sell some more All ‘cause we are so poor, it’s true. Nights I spend at school to learn, apprenticed to a trade. More on Sunday I can earn than all the week I’m paid. But it pays for clothes I wears & my faithfull old red bike, That saves on all those bus fares & a weary three mile hike. chorus I gives me mother money for me lodgings so to speak, More than one wage will go that very way each week. She has been widowed sixteen years since I was barely born. Her grief is still apparent as I go to work each morn. chorus And if there’s cash, a little left so I can say I saved, I puts to buy that motorbike just like I’ve always craved. Don’t need a sporting bronco, just a trusty little steed, A second handed sickle that would turn my dreams indeed. chorus Sunday is the day of God & I should be ashamed. So says this wealthy cuss but she cannot be blamed, She never faced a weekend’s work or suffered widowhood, But if she does I hope her God works overtime right good. chorus story Fact © CRESBY 25th May 1986

In the shadow of Hangmans Hill High on the hill way up in the air Swathed in the sunshine still. There you are warned not ever to dare In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. Monk brother Josepth from Little Malvern Swathed in the sunshine still. Was given this task, his keep for to earn In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. The idle friar didn’t finish his chore Swathed in the sunshine still. So the head prior spake & showed him the door In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. His penance was only only one day on the hill Swathed in the sunshine still. To pray to God but he couldn’t stay still In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. Soon was he thirsty and away he did strip Swathed in the sunshine still. To one farmer’s daughter & cider to sip In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. The priory clucked with facts of the row Swathed in the sunshine still. Brother Joseph in love & broken his vow In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. His next punishment caused more than a tear Swathed in the sunshine still. To crawl to the brow every day of that year In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. Instead of his prayers he once cursed the hill so Swathed in the sunshine still. Then cursed the Prior so all should know In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. He cursed the hill & the shadow it made Swathed in the sunshine still. Then cursed the lives of all souls who now strayed In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. A 12 month & less shall they live & then die Swathed in the sunshine still. Their souls still linger but at dusk they will lie In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. Old Cardinal Wolsey & William Hoskins Swathed in the sunshine still. Didn’t listen to the curse so they died for their sins In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. So stay on the ridge path up in the air Swathed in the sunshine still. Don’t dare descend to or venture you there In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. Don’t dare descend to or venture you there In the shadow of Hangmans Hill. © words and music CRESBY 13 April 1985 alternative tune of “All on a winters day” 49 50 Old Joe’s Chorus I am the man they call Caggy Smith, A boater ere the day that I die. A boater from the day I first lived, A boater, a boater, a boater that’s I.

I wind & wind & wind on the windlass Raise the paddles and fill-up the lock. Heave & heave & heave on the arm To open the lock gate and cruise up the cut. chorus I’ve hitched up me hoss and started him off, Come on old Joe give it all that you’ve got. Come on Joe you know I love you so, Together, we’m agooin’ at our own fast trot. chorus Wow there boy now hold back the boat Slow it down at the end of the pound. Up the Delph flight of locks we must float, 29 chambers from Stourport we’ve found. chorus While I hang on that chain over there, Easy now Joe and go not too fast, Drag it through the narrows with care, And I’ll drop the drawbridge when you have gone past. chorus Slowly now Joe, you’ve reached Ocker Bonk, Here’s a bag of Oats for you. Then Wait while I hitch up that empty coal barge, And off to Cannock to load up again. chorus Easy Joe, easy what can there be wrong? Why are are you pulling the butty so slow? Heave boy heave it’s taking too long, What are you telling me Joe? Oh Joe. chorus Joe boy, Joe your gone from me now, I can’t face to train a new hoss, I have discovered sadness, and how At my stage in life it’s too big a loss. chorus © words and music CRESBY 13th Sept 1984 tempo at a trot tone easy accent Black country Caggy Smith was still using horse drawn butties in the mid seventies and swore he would not replace old Joe if he died, but relented apparently. The advantage of the horse is that it does not need to go through locks so traversing them is twice as fast. The butties were left at the wharf to be loaded while Joe and Caggy went off elsewhere to move another butty that had just been loaded. Joe did not walk, he went at a run, his acceleration was better than with an engine, and caused less erosion because of the lack of propellor. Joe could be told to walk on to the bottom of the lock and stay and he did. Apart from the vets bills and feed the only disadvantage to Joe was the odd occasion he fell in! The de-equinization of the canal was achieved by looping fire hoses round his belly and winching him onto the towpath. Joe was stabled in Great Bridge, Tipton. http://cresby.com Station in the Sky

chorus The sun it’s gonna shine in that station in the sky. Jesus wants good passengers, you’ll get there by & by. The Lord has banned the rain all his days is warm and dry. & the sun it’s gonna shine in that station in the sky. Life is like a railroad train, Halleluya Temtation is the headlight beam, Halleluya Sin is the throttle and the Devil drives fast. Halleluya Jump out the way as he goes past. Halleluya ...... chorus First station is a gambling den, Halleluya Where Satan traps both boys and men. Halleluya Their first bet they’re bound to lose. Halleluya On when old Satan c’lects his dues. Halleluya ...... chorus © CRESBY 27 Jan 1988 One upstairs room has a bar they say, Halleluya Where drunkards slouch & sleep all day, Halleluya Its a one way ticket to damnation. Halleluya & gives you ideas above your station. Halleluya ...... chorus Buy your Bible at the station bookstall, Halleluya Read your scriptures one and all, Halleluya Brush up your gospels every day. Halleluya 'Cos they help fight truth decay. Halleluya ...... chorus 50 Station in the Sky 51

This was inspired by a folk singer in NZ who sang songs of sister Mary Sledge (?). These took the form that life was like a baseball game and the Lord was looking for boundary shots and the first base was your acceptance of faith, and the second base the devil was lurking if you failed to reach it in time etc etc. The difference is that this song knows it is over the top. The verses have changed over the years to be slightly funnier but more like the legends you can read on religious billboards next to American churches. 51 52 Roll Boys Roll

chorus Roll boys roll boys roll boys roll Swing in yer hammock boys it’s roll boys roll Swing in yer hammock boys as wind whips spray, And its roll boys roll boys roll all day.

Well its.. chorus We’re bound for California out on the morning tide, Our wives & women waving on the crowded harbour side. http://cresby.com Wives & women weeping a-wishing our return, Which connot come too soon for us but money we must earn So its.. chorus Calling at the Falklands before we round the Horn The women of Port Stanley will keep us there till morn, The women of Port Stanley will bid us longer stay But we’re bound for California when we gets under way. Then it’s... chorus © CRESBY 19th November 1985 We should berth in Valparaiso before the month of May And women there for sure are gonna earn their bit of pay. Its only for twelve hours before were onward gone, But it don’t take all twelve hours just to have our bit of fun. As we.. chorus When we hit ‘Frisco they won’t know where to hide Those ladies are delightful aye & pretty cheap beside Those ladies are delightful aye & pretty frisky too But we’re headed back for Eng-a-land within a day or two. Going... chorus We’re headed home for Bristol and none too soon we’ll hear Our wives and women waiting with a rousing hearty cheer. Then its swing in the hammocks boys, and roll in the hay. And roll boys roll boys roll all day. Yes it’s.. chorus 52 Cutting a Dash...... 53 chorus Oh here’s another story, you will not find banal; Of Love & Lust & Glory, beside the old canal. I walked my love down the towpath, we made a handsome twosome. In the dark she clung to me and said “Oh Joe it’s gruesome”. “Grewsome?” said I smiling, watch me now by jigger, The way that you are clinging, youll see my smile get bigger. chorus My first love was a swimmer, you should have seen her go. When I suggested breast stroke she said Oh come, Oh come now Joe. Twas there I took the first plunge, that first cut the deepest feels, It’s harder on the first lunge into the cut that never heals. chorus I was invited in though ’twould fill my wellies I fear. She sez “You are so slow Joe, that is the whole idea” I got in as far as I could, it was so very deep. I knew the wellies were no good, they only work on sheep. chorus But while I squelched around in mud, I found that I was stuck. Only parts of me could move, sez I “Oh, lord luva duck”. “Do not fret my dear” sez she, “If you in part can move. I’m sure ideas will come to you, and those parts I do approve.” chorus “Hullo, what’s going on there?” said a policeman walking by, She & I & the facts were bare, “Nothing (it’s coming off)” says I. “Well if nothing you have did” he said looking askance. “Shove off & play with yer marbles kid, & give a man chance”. chorus My brother he’s a sailor, & he works for Cunard. Sez she my Dad works harder, ‘cos he’s a railway guard. In dark compartments nightly, it’s a dangerous occupation. Telling couples politely, to get out at the next station.

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My Love Is Like a Chocolate Box chorus My Love is like a chocolate box; in summer it do melt. It makes yer fingers sticky, and bulge beneath yer belt. Those soft and fruity centers, remind me of her charms. They’re sweet to eat & I repeat like putty in yer palms. chorus Oh if I offered her nut cluster, herein the box I like to hold. Or banana syrup filling, would it be considered bold. chorus Well the very sweetest sweet is, I feel, one called cherry surprise. Yer breath it takes or lump it makes, within yer throat to rise. chorus Now she has made my Week-end, weaving that Black Magic has this girl. So my mind it turns to summer and when I went for Hazel whirl. chorus I do enjoy a chocolate tipple and thank those thoughtful brewers. It pleases me my Love should like Grand Marnier liqueurs. chorus This lovely lady is peach delight and sets my lips a smacking For my love is like a chocolate box, & I am just the wrapping. © words by CRESBY July 1985 tune chorus of “My love is like a red, red rose” chorus & verse same tune .inspired by Sue Bray spinster of Worcester 53 54 Repent Ye Sinners Repent Now here’s a story you’ll oft heard quote, About a a man of the cloth & a goat © CRESBY August 1985 Repent Ye Sinners Repent The reverend Rhys Pritchard, let me note Was famed for the sermons he preached & wrote. Repent Ye Sinners Repent , repent, repent ye sinners repent A student of Oxford University Learned Gent and a scholar was he Repent Ye Sinners Repent But he could seen, and mores the pity Drinking his fill in the inns of the city. Repent Ye Sinners Repent , repent, repent ye sinners repent He was strange one and I won’t pretend Who took a goat as his best friend Repent Ye Sinners Repent And sometimes down at the pub on the bend The goat would watch the glasses up-end. Repent Ye Sinners Repent , repent, repent ye sinners repent Encumbent he was in Llandovery Whose townfolk were sad at the discovery Repent Ye Sinners Repent They wished to choose quite another he Or Rhys’s morals, a swift recovery. Repent Ye Sinners Repent , repent, repent ye sinners repent Now one occasion he lost his counts While drunk he let the goat drink vast amounts, Repent Ye Sinners Repent So hopelessly leglessly homeward they bounced And none too quietly by all accounts. Repent Ye Sinners Repent , repent, repent ye sinners repent But on the next binge the goat he took When offered a drink its own head it shook Repent Ye Sinners Repent Well Rhys was amazed at this supposed dumb cluck Who at one more drink would n’ere take a look. Repent Ye Sinners Repent , repent, repent ye sinners repent “Much wiser the goat than I “ he said “To profit from pain is now clear in my head” Repent Ye Sinners Repent No longer will I now be misled More time with God & the gospel I’ll spread. Repent Ye Sinners Repent , repent, repent ye sinners repent Well famed for that fiery preaching of old To attract an audience by the hundredfold to Repent Ye Sinners Repent If church was full he would preach and would scold In fields and lanes to sinners untold to Repent Ye Sinners Repent , repent, repent ye sinners repent Well his final glory here I do show it For giving a story a lone would I owe it Repent Ye Sinners Repent But he joined that select band and you all must know it To complete his perfection he became a poet. Repent Ye Sinners Repent , repent, repent ye sinners repent Cresby & Lucie Reverend Rhys Pritchard 1579 to 1644 events factual source Myths & Legends of Wales by Tony Roberts

Lockmakers lament chorus Point me right to the brewhouse in Bently And give me a pint of their best. Before I goo whum now, to me missuses jaw row. And babbies a-bawlin wot gives me no rest.

Nar we mek the best locks yo’ be buyin’ In Willenhall town bain’t no lyin’ Locks med for a prison damn near med me wisened. Cos them fiddlin’ small tumblers to hands cracked like myirn. chorus While sawing away yo’ wont find me shirk, From dawn until dusk I werks like a turk. Bent over vices , mekkin’ lock caises At one good weeks earnin’s I might raise a smirk. chorus They calls this Humpshire cos we’s all a-lopsided, One wrist and one knee joint misguided Me shoulders am rournded but don’t be astounded, The apprentice he knows how he’ll get just as I did. chorus I’m a master of trades and I also employs Apprentices slaving, just nine year old boys, I gives ‘em their food and lodgings wot’s crude, But I’d much rather see them playing with toys. chorus © words CRESBY 24th Oct 1984 tune Fiddlers Green accent Black Country 54 http://cresby.com Knittershanty 55 55 crochet = 100 KEY G maj 4 4

as I wove out one fair isle morn my trade per chance two ply yarn __ I met a lass named

Wendy wool her needle caught my eye___ & its click knit one girls purl one 6 4 4 4

drop one sod -it pick- it -up whoops cast off me girls let's sing the Knit ters shan ty I And it’s ... Click, knit one girls Purl one, Drop one, ( sodit pickitup ) Whoops! cast off me girls, Let's sing the Knitters shanty

As I wove out one Fairisle morn My trade perchance two ply, (yarn) I met a lass named Wendy wool Her needle caught my eye. chorus I am a Singer, sew said she, A spinner of bad yarns (yarn) I wish you would pull-over here My booty for to darn chorus So I got out me crochet hook Her mohair for to Cable (yarn) The tension it was mounting! Angora - Blimey was she able. chorus You’ve pulled the wool over my eyes, Unravelled me you rot-ter. (yarn) Your line I swallowed hook & eye Now you must tie the knot sir. chorus But I’musleave for Cardigan. For my crew neck's tide dumper (yarn) In Jersey we might meet a-skein But at least I got ta jumper.. chorus ( sodit pickitup ) Words & Musical arrangement © 11 Nov. 1989 Cresby Brown, Peter Goillau & Lucie Sloan Tune is a loose arrangement of New York Gals / Can’t ye Dance the Polka with added (asides) Sung by Cresby & Jackie as a duet, first & second singer can alternate verses & curses ! This song was mooted half-heartedly on several occasions but a chance meeting over coffee and a couple of hours later it sounded like a well ewesed off the shoulder number (raglan of course). The contorted spelling is a result of the phonetic nature of the jokes, (er make that puns) and is chosen to look funny so that the reader looks for other meanings (there may be several), this should be borne in mind when singing, to telegraph the joke. A small pause after Cardigan is recommended, sufficient to allow the ambiguity to be appreciated ( appreciation is a slight exaggeration ). Cresby has had comments from people sure they heard the song pre-dating 1989 ! The song does have that timeless feel, and it is, given that it is a parody, very true to shanty form. If there was a similar song before, it was well hidden, knowledge of it's presence would have vetoed Knittershanty's birth. However folklorist Roy Plalmer chose the song to introduce an erudite dissertation on the shanty form at the Lancaster Maritime festival 2001. Ta Roy. For non-British audiences there may be a few explanations and substitutions needed. Wendy wool is a brand name, maybe Robyn wool or similar. Raglan and also Cardigan - Welsh towns (& the big Bay on the left) but are they well known enough? & I usually telegraph the pun by stroking my arm as I sing the word "sleeve". "Crew neck's tide" is a quadruple entendre 1) crew necks, 2) neck tide (tide mark as in a mother's exclamation to "wash yer neck") 3) next tide and 4) next I'd (phew). Jersey is a Channel Island but New Jersey would substitute perfectly there. Try Delaware and substitute NewJersey for Cardigan, ho ho55 ho. 56 http://cresby.com The Oak & the Willow

crochet = 100 KEY D maj 3 4

the Oak & the Wil-low the Oak & the Willow the Oak & the Will__il__low both make England stro_ng crochet = 75

v1 { } Apple { } trees bear us____ { } the sweetest of frui_ts { } Some give gold__ cider which my taste well v2 the nuts_ of the Hazel_____ { } are nicest when new__ { } So are gree_n walnuts I’ve pickled a v3 the Elder has a white { } flower & juicy black berry whichbrews wine like the Damson to send us all

v1 su__oo___utes the pear is as pretty in springtime and very______{ } juicy those pears which we v2 fe______w_ _w { } sweet the roastchestnut & much to me thou_ght { } the Almond is also yet v3 merry_he__he__ { } Plum { } is sweet to eat & gives good ja__m { } wot we sell at market in

v1 brew in to Perry but the v4 Elm___ { } is for { } boat planks when wet it do swe_ll { } v2 not worth the effort but the v5 Oak fra_mes { } i___s Fi nest for our ships & houses to v3 old Notting ha_m yes the

v4 Ash { } strong axe___ handle____s to shape those planks we______ll it’s oars have th_at give { } our v5 Hold a__ll them { } fighting men oft times called Spou_ou_se_es it’s made { } into barrels called & women

v4 boats for to row___ & pro- vi___des a weapon the mighty long { } bow___ yes the v5 firkin & tun____ { } from which flows__ sweet Cider & strong ale { } do run____ yes the

This song was the culmination of a campaign to write a song that would sound traditional enough to prompt people to ask about its authenticity. Cresby was well pleased with the result none-the-less. As we are not overstocked with tree songs it seemed like a laudable idea. The actual creative process was not a text book case, indeed, attempting to write a song before the current one was finished one might be circumspect. But....to do it seated at a moderate size table accompanied by a television blaring sub-juvenile pop-music to 3 small kids, with their mum & nanny attempting hopelessly to arbitrate loud sibling rivalry seems so unlikely it would be pronounced impossible if it had not been done. Thank-yous to Amy, Ben, Peter, Angela, Nanny Annie, Spice the cat & Keith Chegwin. 56 57

guitar accompaniment in key of C CGcrochet = 75 7 C q 4 4 w

Old rags & bones please old rags & bones just give me all yer old rags & bones. Old rags & bonesplease G7 CG

old rags & bones, just give me all yer old rags & bones. I’ll swap them for a spinning { } now bones we burn to ashes to yes give me all the metal and CAmG

paper windmill toy that kiddies love to run with it gives them hours____ of joy ba- make yer china fine and linen goes for pa per to write yer friends___ a line. the junk yer need no more and should I pass to mor row well leave it by_____ the door and G7 CCG7 C

loonsI got in dozens to make me cart so gay { } all___ for the chil___ dren so they can sport & play steel it gets all melted in furna -ces so hot then cast a-gain in found-a ries to make yer cookin pot If it is a bucket put water in of course { } for__ thirsty work it is for Bess me old carthorse

For strict authenticity, the gap in the chorus should be filled by the noise of a battered old brass band trumpet, just like Cresby remembers from his youth, played with maximum noise and penetration, and a total lack of tune or key ! At the time of writing the song, a rag & bone man was spotted in Oxford complete with the obligatory horse, cart and virtually indecipherable call of “AG BO”. Calls varied from “Old Rags & Bones” to a permutation of just the vowels and an assortment of gargles, hence the use of trumpet or loud bell. In the fifties R & B men tended to arrive in a welter of noise plus all the kids of the neighbourhood in convoy. The carts were decked in balloons, paper windmills and plastic bags each with a single fish. Paper by then had given way to sheets of plastic, and you had to find a lot of tat to get that windmill...... fish were all but unattainable. Rags were sorted and linen sold on to papermills, other fibres were used in industry to swab down lathes and milling machines etc. In Victorian times bones were bought for a penny or so for 2lb and sold to the pottery industry where it was calcined, that is heated until all the combustible material was removed. The white residue is a form of calcium carbonate that lowered the melting point of porcelain clay, hence they called it bone china. By the fifties bones were not normally traded by R & B men.

Words & Music Cresby Brown 29th April 1986. http://cresby.com 57 Old Rags & Bones Merry 58 Bookbinder

crochet = 75

ch tra la La I'm a Merry bookbinder I stitches & se_e_ews binding-up Ledgers &.

portfo li os.Tra la l a___v1 I prodswith me bodkin & gives it me a_w__ l & toolswith me v2 I creases French grooves in the best of me jo_ bs 'cos I like a deep v3 I uses band nippers on spines ex qui si_ i__ t { } nip ping -up v4 I mitres the corners & paresback the sk_i__ n this fits on the v5 I knocks-up the pages & rounds -off the sp_ine then at-tendsto the http://cresby.com v6 I fashions big cases with thick Bris tol bo_ar_ d & keeps‘em to

v1 fillet on____ fronts big & small. Tra la la_ tra la la la la la___ 3 v2 joint { } for the rich -est of nobs. finish with chorus & 2 4 extra tra la's v3 ridges to_ __ make a good fit. v4 cover I’_ _m put -ting it in.

v5 fly { } wot is out of a- lign. Walsall became the centre of the saddlery v6 -gether wi__th dec ’ra tive cord. industry by virtue of its proximity to the lorinry trades of the Black Country. Indeed their football team is still called “the Saddlers”. As a result associated leather trades came to Walsall like book binding. Lorinry covers the ironmongery used on horses, eg various rings and of course the “bit”. Vital seam sewing was always done with two needles and threads, the hole would be made with a bodkin and the needle passed alongside its spike, then the bodkin would be inserted in the same hole from the other side and the second needle passed using the bodkin spike as a guide. In decorative work this seam was preferred for its precision and strength. An awl is really a needle with a handle, or a bodkin with an eye, which can produce a seam like a sewing machine. The threads stay on the same side and when broken the seam bursts quickly. Grooves lie between the cover and spine forming the hinge for the cover. French grooves are characterised by being quite pronounced hence an increased cost of production. Ridges are those horizontal bumps on the spine and are made with band nippers-- pliers with jaws that extend side-ways at the end, their width was used to nip-up more of the spine leather. It also tightened the leather between ridges. Leather is stretched over Bristol board used to stiffen the cover and in order to reduce the inside thickness and to prevent a step under the cover paper, the leather edges were pared (thinned). Leather was not normally overlaid at the corners, rather it was butt jointed by cutting at 45 degrees first (mitred). Knocking-up is the term used for lining up the paper, rounding the spine was performed on the stitched pages, both done by basically hitting with a flat stick. Decorative cord is most commonly seen, top & bottom, fixed on the paper edges nestling against the spine. 58 WorsestershireWorsestershire 59 http://cresby.com SauceSauce

crochet = 83 KEY D maj 3 4

it was found___ by lord San dy’s lord San dy’s lord San dy’s { } found_by lord tha___at fa_____i mouse___ wors ter shire wors ter shire wors tershire fa__ _i mouse___ it__ _’s sold the { } world ov er world ov er world ov er { } sold the world_ _ it__ _’s made with an { } cho vies an cho vies an cho vies { } made with an { } &____ then we add mo la sses mo la ses mo las ses { } then we add mo then___ al__ _ so some hmm hmm & hmm hmm & hmm hmm { } al_____ so some be_____ cause we are__ ___ proud to & proud to & proud to { } cos we are_____

San dy’s { } so they do say { } made___ by Lee & Per rins Lee & Wors ter shire Worster shire sauce it ma_ ___ _kes horse { } rad dish horse { } ov er { } Hereford & all yes ev_____ en in { } Indi a in { } cho vies { } vine gar from the vault sh lo______ts & { } spi ces & { } las ses { } west in dies best mat tured_ _ in oak { } bar rels oak { } hmm hmm { } gar lic as well the rest______is a se cret a { } proud to { } be the work- force { } ma______i king___ _ Worster shire______

Per rins Lee & Perrins { } made__ by Lee & Perrins__ _ { } downBroad St. way raddish horse { } rad dish { } ma__kes horse { } { } raddish tas___ste emp ty & coarse Indi a in { } Indi a { } e___ e ven in { } India & its birthplace Ben gal spices & { } spices shal lo______ts & { } spices { } { } tamarinds & salt bar rels oak { } barrels ma tured__ in oak { } barrels to { } give it that zest se cret a { } se cret the rest____ is a se cret__ ___ { } we will not tell Wors tershire__ _ Worster shire_ ma_____ i king_ __ Worstershire____ Worstershire_ sauce

Lord Sandy's (pronounced with a silent Y as in politics) returned from a tour of duty in India to Worcester in about 1835. His pallete soon missed the piquant Bengal sauce he had become accustomed to. The recipe was given the chemists to make up. The partnership of John Wheely Lea and William Perrins of 63 Broad Street were chosen by virtue of their pre-eminance in Worcestershire. After several tasty but passe concoctions, Lord Sandy's pronounced favourably. The marketing potential of the potent brew became apparent as friends started asking for samples, so Mssr Lee & Perrins obtained permission to produce commercially and use the slogan “from nobleman of Worcestershire”. Subsequently they made and bigger batches in bigger and bigger premises.

Bitters & Ales son, Bitters & Ales just, Serve me up yer Bitters & Ales, {fiercely independant} Cider & Mild son, Pull at your pump just, Draw me off a Lumphammer brew.

We come in for a sup, a dish of “Dun Cow” pie Such a perfect pastime for me mates and I. When we are this thirsty what better place to go Than down to the “Factory”? We like the “Sauce” you know. {satisfactory} Bitters & Ales son, Bitters & Ales just, Serve me up yer Bitters & Ales, {seen the Pepper?} Cider & Mild son, Pull at your pump just, Draw me off a Lumphammer brew.

The “Little Lark” is singing, we've come to join along, And then to wet our whistle in company and song. With voices all in chorus we like to have a “Mug 'urry” Back again to Upton, enjoy another jug. {glug glug} Bitters & Ales son, Bitters & Ales just, Serve me up yer Bitters & Ales, {try 'em all} Cider & Mild son, Pull at your pump just, Draw me off a Lumphammer brew.

They pack 'em in the “Pack Horse”, pour 'em down the hatch The “Sailor's” in the “Dry Dock” to find his “Kipper” catch The romance of the nectar goes with “Pudding” that we eat but when the vicars in the “Chop House” the “Sausage Works” a treat. {come again?} Bitters & Ales son, Bitters & Ales just, Serve me up yer Bitters & Ales, {for the wee folks} Cider & Mild son, Pull at your pump just, Draw me off a Lumphammer brew. I'm “MAD” for a Lumphammer brew. {pint of Entire please}

1/8 note swing CG7 CG7 4 4

eleven note instrumental intro bitters & ales son, bitters & ales just serve me up your bit-ters & CFG7 C

ch ales, Cider & mild son, pull at your pump just draw me off your Lump hammer brew% We CFG7

come in for a sup a dish of ‘Dun Cow’ pie such a perfect pastime for me mates & I

CG7

When we are this thirsty what better place to go than down to the factory we like the ‘Sauce’ you CC chorus know bitters &.. the ‘LittleLark’ is singing we've come to join along we've come to wet our whistle in FG7 C

company & song with voices all in chorus we like to have a ‘Mug’ 'urry back again to Upton en- G7 CC chorus

joy another jug bitters &.. they pack'em in the ‘Pack Horse’ pour 'em down the hatch, the FG7

‘Sailors’ in the ‘Dry Dock’ to find his ‘Kipper’ catch, the romance of the nectar goes with CG7

‘Pudding’ that we eat but when the vicars in the ‘Chop House’ the ‘Sausage Works’ a

CG7 G7 G7 C chorus

treat bitters &...... brew. I'm MAD for a Lumphammer brew.

61 62 Endearing's Not for You The Union's not for you My brother laddie O,

The Union's not for you My sister lady O, tune is “the Shearing's Not for You” words © Cresby May 1996 The Union's not for you Cos you work at G.C.H.Q. And your rise is overdue My fellow worker O.

Do you mind in yonder Bill My brother laddie O, Do you mind in yonder Bill My sister lady O, Do you mind in yonder Bill They are the peoples will, Nill majority until My fellow worker O.

Accountability My brother laddie O, Accountability My sister lady O, Accountability Is a bank account you see, & old pals acting on the spree My fellow worker O.

It's subcontracting out My brother laddie O, It's subcontracting out My sister lady O, It's subcontracting out To any blue legged lout, From public school no doubt My fellow worker O.

It's dead in bed you are My brother laddie O, It's dead in bed you are My sister lady O, It's dead in bed you are & white and blue and star sand stripe you off they tear My fellow worker O.

The Cold War is lukewarm My brother laddie O, The Cold War is lukewarm My sister lady O, The Cold War is lukewarm High finance fraud the norm, Like the eye is of the storm My fellow worker O.

Come the revolu My brother laddie O, Come the revolu My sister lady O, Come the revolu Shi un we'll pick just who, To gun for then ‘the noo’ My fellow worker O.

This was written at the Chippenham FF May 1996 along with “Let's all be Civil to the Service” for a fellow Festivee who was looking to get into songwriting. As a way of breaking a writers block I offered to colaborate. Dave Hatton had been sacked from GCHQ long since, in the Conservative Government's purge on Unions (and they needed an easy target). During that fiasco the Cold War had gone lukewarm so G.C.H.Q had to refocus on the war on drugs and high rolling criminalls we call the Captains of Industry. Robert Maxwell was just a drop in th Ocean by comparison. AND Kevin and Robin we all believe were innocent, don't we? G.C.H.Q. really got their act together on that one didn't they? And yea they did get invovled. And Unions weren't that committed against rake -off and brown envelopes, were they? Hmmm. No body believed that Thatcher the Snatcher was doing anything other than moving the goal posts at the time, posterity will show precisely that. The incoming Labour government did of course reposition the goal posts. Given that most sackees had retired or found settled (allegedly) careers elsewhere it was pointed-out to the (allegedly Labour) Government that the ball had already dribbled past the mobile goal posts and restoring the postal position was only delivering half a job. Tony Blair just smiled that winning smile of his and did nothing. Ho Hum. Dave was looking to get a song together to sing at a Scottish Trades Union Bash that were talking about this very subject. I got the songs to him and he didn't sing them. Thanks Dave. I know not if they had their sing song or he just bottled out or found my style of tongue twisted tiptoeing through the two lips too tortuous! These two songs I am quite happy with poetically, and given that I had no connection, real or imagined with the Union Movement or this episode I think I managed a certain detatched anger:- sufficient unto the moment, as my paternal Granny would have said.. 62 I’m a Solicitor 63 I’m a solicitor and I’m O.K. I sleeps all night and I “yawns” all day. § I listens to me clients bray, nyey. And thats how I earns me pay. And thats how I earns my pay. If your wife wants quick divorce There’s no need to worry. I’m a solicitor and of course: I don’t know how to hurry. I don’t know how to hurry. ¶ Now heads you lose and tails I win Bring me troubles and I’ll send you bills. Thats how I makes the cash roll in, Notwithstanding the aforementioned riders attached herewith, hereinunder referred to as the codicils. Notwithstanding the aforementioned riders attached herewith, hereinunder referred to as (gasp) the codicils. A little royalty I have sought Listen and I’ll give you hints. It won’t be when your next at court, You’ll find it in the small prints. (ha) You’ll find it in the small prints. I fight your legal fun and games For 5 per cent if yer win. Thats one each for DUGGAN, ELTON & JAMES (Incorporating ANSELL & SHERWIN). (Incorporating ANSELL & SHERWIN). Here’s my bill and you have, my lad: To pay ‘cause thems the laws. You can’t renege by going mad, Cos there ain’t no sanity clause. (hey) Cos there ain’t no sanity clause. © CRESBY 24th JUNE 1984 tune I’m a lumberjack (& I’m OK) tone serious with mockery showing at suitable moments accent Birmingham/London amalgum § “yawn” yawned as opposed to being sung ¶ “hurry” lags the audience for obvious effect Written in response to a relatively pain free divorce (I am told by others) and the fact that THE ‘Practice’ were having their evening out at the Somer's TFC on it's debut night.

Civil Ian Says Lets all be civil to the service, All they are doing is their job. Though they may try to try us, bind baste and fry us words © Cresby May 1996 tune is “Let's not be Beastly to the Germans” And tie us up in knots to save a bob.

Lets all be civil to the service, Though us oft with jobsworth off will fob, It's not the boss who is a, or the bosses', bosses' geesa, It's the bosses, bosses, boss who is the yob.

Lets all be civil to the service, Cos soon we will have 'em on the run, Though the running is quite stunning, seeing red they'll see us coming, And their wets will make stalled Tory colours run.

Lets all be civil to the service, As in coteries communally they rub, Handshaking thumbs akimbo, while we lie low in limbo, Bereft of right. Bereft of left. And left without the right Without the right together. Without the right to ever Without the right to ever together to club. 63 64 DAVID WILKIE

For seventy five p a mile (and a smile) He was only a man , workin’ for pay Plying his trade on another day Trying his hardest the honest way, Dying for nothing , ever he’ll stay: Lying like dust in the cold, cold, clay. For seventy five p a mile (and a smile)

For seventy five p a mile (and a smile) Though it was rough , & times mighty tough There was just enough of the filthy lucre stuff To support his ex-wife & the real love of his life Through all the strife For seventy five p a mile (and a smile)

For seventy five p a mile (and a smile) All the Judges & clerks and the legal sharp sharks Can ride through the parks, to the county high court Where justice is sought, or so you would thought. For seventy five p a mile (and a smile)

For seventy five p a mile (and a smile) Today two men were freed, not guilty their plead, Someone else’s deed . Only God it would seem: Dropped that concrete beam, to smash every dream And hear his mute scream...... For seventy five p a mile (and a smile)

For seventy five p a mile (and a smile) It would take quite a few, or one really good fare to: Pay for the hair-do on the angry bald head Of Scargill the red . The one who ain’t dead, Not at seventy five p a mile (and a smile)

For seventy five p a mile (and a smile) He was only a man , workin’ for pay Plying his trade on another day Trying his hardest the honest way, Dying for nothing, ever he’ll stay: Lying like dust in the cold, cold, clay. all for seventy five p a mile (and a smile)

Darlaston Screws chorus Darlaston screws am the best yo con find. They meks nuts and bolts of every kind. For hours they sweats ‘ommering yeds. Swaging caps and screw cutting threads. Now if yo’ve got a massive ‘inge They’ll mek a bolt to mek yo cringe, They’ll mek it fine in pure wrought iron To last a life past yorn and my’rn. chorus Any wing nut they con mek. Arf a mo’ is all it’ll tek. Like a jewel so fine an’ gay Yo’ con bet it won’t fly away. chorus On yer bike as yo go potterin’ Keepin’ the crank on is a cotter pin. Med in Darlo so yo con treadle Without yo slip off yer bicycle peddle. chorus If yo’ve got some hefty shelves Them screws am med in six inch twelves, Now if that just bain’t big enough They come twice as big an’ two times as tough. chorus Them model-mekkers am mighty proud Posing with models for the crowd, They may not but yo know its true Them models am med with a Darlaston screw. chorus Darlaston meks two kinds of washer: One wot cleans clothes for them wot is posher, But the others am med clean and bright To hold yer nuts in mighty tight. chorus Yo bost yourn they’ll mek a new nut Mek it to fit and bigger but Yo’m advised not to goo biserk They’ll mek it so its sure to werk. chorus © words & music CRESBY 6th of Aug 1984 tempo fairly fast bouncy but with momentum tone humorous 64 65

STONES of HENGE

Over forty miles of rolling land a path was laid On mighty poles the stones slide on. (& on) To the beat of feet, and stretch of rope Heave and strain. As the stones roll on, the sun grew long For the solstice day to come So the sages told in the Druid Lore Place the stones for the harvest prime to foretell Here on Salisbury Plain. Stones of Henge. Stones of Henge

Over forty days of sweat and toil the stones rise up On mounds of earth, hoisted high, (up high) In a circle’s span, a bridge of stone Perfect place. What the sun can tell, the stones will read When the solstice day has come So the sages told in the Druid Lore Place the stones for the harvest prime to foretell Here on Salisbury Plain. Stones of Henge. Stones of Henge

And the people wait, on the summer night The solstice day is here on Salisbury Plain. Stones of Henge. Stones of Henge Stones of Henge Chris Evans © & '93 Cresby Brown

65 66 6 8 for I’m the tu_ne (such won der ful mus ic) I am the mel o dy

sun_ng around in Wors ter sh ire (at Upton on Severn) the

May day fes ti val here I’m found in wor cest er shire at v2 come hey & come ho come = 88 KEY A maj v3 come bang on your drum & v4 car ress then your flute & © Cresby Brown v5 come stroke your fid dles & words & music v6 come pick up your feet & July 5th 1993 v7 come lads & come las ses

v1 car ni val ti__me you’ll hear my may sound so happy & free for v2 fol de rol to me { } you give me words if I am your choice so v3 rat tat tat to me { } rat tle those spoons & pick up the beat tap v4 toot on your whistle here weave a fine reel they feel down in hell let v5 fid dle de dee to me here in the houses & smart hos tel ries so v6 jig in the street to me step & ca vort all u_ _p & down & v7 come fill up your glasses come drink in a toast to war__m your heart for 2 taps on morris sticks

v1 I am the song the dance & the mus ic yes I am your tune socome v2 sin gers of songs of spring & fer til it ty come give me life_ _ & v3 tap on ta bles & ta__ _m bor ines to me clap with both hand_s & v4 trumpets all sound a po_ _st horn gal lop & tug on old sal ley to v5 con cer tin as come ring out thosenotes to me all squeeze to ge ther loud v6 pol ka & swing with laugh ter & mer ri ment dance a quad rille right a- v7 I am the tune that is al most finnishedcome join in with me _ as Upton Stick Song v1 join with me for The tune is a broad variation of the Karpelese v2 raise your voice for Newfoundland version. Numerous alterations al- v3 stamp both feet for low for voice & an A or a D melodeon. (See over v4 chime church bell for v5 as you please for for fingering). Singer should only sing the itali- v6 round this town for cised part the first time to lead the audience. v7 I de part for

66 67 Upton Stick Song

Melodeon fingering, the notes are for Amaj

>5< >5< >4< >4< <3> >3< <3> >3< <3> >4< >3< <2> E . E . C#. C#. B . A . B . A . B . C#. A . G# for I’m the tu _ne such won der ful mus ic I

<1>2< >3< >3< >4< >5< <5> >5< >4< <3> >5< E A . A . C#. E . F#. E . C#. B . E . am the mel o dy sun _ng a round in A >5< >4< >4< <3> >3< <3> >3< <3> >4< >3< <2> E . C#. C#. B . A . B . A . B . C#. A . G# Wors ter sh ire at Up ton on Sev ern the

<1>2< >3< >3< <3> >4< <3> <2> >3< >3< E A . A . B . C#. B . G# A . A . May day fes ti val here I’m found in

>3< >4< >5< >6< >5< <5> >5< <4> >4< <3> >3< A . C#. E . A : E . F#. E . D . C#. B . A . Wor cest er shire at car ni val ti _me you’ll

>3< >4< >5< >6< >5< <5> >5< >4< <3> >3< A . C#. E . A : E . F#. E . C#. B . A . hear my May sound so hap py & free for B >3< >4< >5< >6< >5< <5> >5< >4< <3> >4< >5< A . C#. E . A : E . F#. E . C#. B . C#. E. I am the song the dance & the mus ic yes

<5> >6< <5> >5< >4< >3< <3> <2> >3< >5< F#. A : F#. E . C#. A . B . G# A . E . I am your tune so come join with me for

This can be played in other keys depending on © Cresby Brown the melodeon, but is for an Amaj melodeon (they words & music do exist), or the A row of an A/D/G. July 5th 1993

67 68 Upton Stick Song

D row melodeon fingering, modified notes agree with Amaj

<7> <7> <6> <6> <5> >5< <5> >5< <5> <6> >5< >4< E. E. C#. C#. B. A. B. A. B. C#. A. F# for I’m the tu _ne such Won der ful mus ic i

<3> >5< >5< <6> <7> >7< <7> <6> <5> <7> E A. A. C#. E. F#. E. C#. B. E. Am the mel o dy Sun _ng a round in A <7> <6> <6> <5> >5< <5> >5< <5> <6> >5< >4< E. C#. C#. B. A. B. A. B. C#. A. F# Wors ter sh ire at Up ton on Sev ern the

<3> >5< >5< <5> <6> <5> >4< >5< >5< E A. A. B. C#. B. F# A. A. May day fes ti val Here i’m found in

>5< <6> <7> >8< <7> >7< <7> >6< <6> <5> >5< A. C#. E. A: E. F#. E. D. C#. B. A. Wor cest er shire at Car ni val ti _me you’ll

>5< <6> <7> >8< <7> >7< <7> <6> <5> >5< A. C#. E. A: E. F#. E. C#. B. A. hear my May sound so hap py & free for B >5< <6> <7> >8< <7> >7< <7> <6> <5> <6> <7> A. C#. E. A: E. F#. E. C#. B. C#. E. I am the song the dance & the mus ic yes

>7< >8< >7< <7> <6> >5< <5> >4< >5< <7> F#. A: F#. E. C#. A. B. F# A. E. I am your tune so come Join with me for

This can be played in other keys depending on the © Cresby Brown melodeon, but on a D row it will sound similar to the words & music key of Amaj, only G# notes have been changed to F#. July 5th 1993 68 69

Upton Stick Song

For I'm the tune (such wonderful music) I am the melody sung around In Worcestershire, (at Upton on Severn) The May Day Festival here I'm found.

In Worcestershire at Carnival time You'll hear my May sound so happy & free For I am the song, the dance & the music Yes I am your tune so come join with me

Come hey, & come ho, come fol de rol to me You give me words if I am your choice So singers of songs of spring and fertility Come give me life and raise your voice.

Come bang on your drums, and ratat tat to me Rattle those spoons & pick up the beat Tap tap on the tables and tamborines to me Clap with both hands and stamp your feet.

Carress then your flute and toot on your whistle here Weave a fine reel they can feel down in hell Let trumpets all blow a post horn gallop And tug on Old Salley to chime church bell.

Come stroke your fiddles and fiddle de dee to me Here in the houses & smart hostelries So concertinas come ring out those notes to me All squeeze together load as you please.

Come pick-up your feet & jig in the street to me Step and cavort all up & down Or polka and swing with laughter & merriment Dance a quadrille right a-round this town.

Come lads & come lassies come raise up your glasses Come drink-in a toast to warm your heart. For I am the tune that is almost finished So join-in with me as I depart.

69 70 ..written for a folk aid busk-in on 17th August Dip in yer pockets Come... chorus Dip in yer pockets and purses too Fetch out them brown coins they ain’t much use to you. Them not like a millstone around yer neck its true But yer heart will be light giving Africa a few.

Now folks am sadly dyin’, all around the world each day Though here at least they have many years on the way. See the joy of laughing kids, sport, cavort and play In Ethiopia and Sudan thousands died today. So chorus

Now when the sun ain’t shining you hear us all complain Ahere’s few who would see beauty here in fields full of grain. But Africa has sun all day, bare earth and rarely rains Then when it does, the floods make mud and little soil remains. So chorus

Well good folks just before you dash away in hungry haste Remember that your next ice cream puts inches round your waste. Its not to feed your stomach, its just to feed your face, Donate the money here instead , come feed the human race. Yes chorus

alternative verse 3 & additional verse 4 for specific needs

Well good folks just before you dash to the bar in hungry haste Remember that a packet of crisps puts inches on your waste. They’re not to feed your stomach, just to feed your face, Donate the money here instead , come feed the human race. chorus

I know a lovely lady who lives in a lovely house With two pretty kids & glad to be rid of a pretty lousy spouse. So grateful for the joy that gives she celebrates, and how. By giving joy in pound notes, this very moment now. chorus copyright words and music CRESBY 25th July 1985

70 His Nibs © CRESBY 30th 71 Nov 1983

Well tell me Mr Gillot, well tell me Mr Gillot, well tell me Mr Gillot, Who made the first steel pen? I’ll tell you Mr Mitchell, I’ll tell you Mr Mitchell, I’ll tell you Mr Mitchell, ’Twas neither us two men Where did you get the inkling, refrain refrain It was a good idea. Why I just used my eyes well, refrain refrain And of course each ear. From whom you stole the brain-wave, refrain refrain To re-write history. Well I first saw Fred Sheldon, refrain refrain And claimed his territory. Was it then Fred Sheldon? refrain refrain First made that metal quill. No ’twas Daniel Fellows, refrain refrain A blacksmith of great skill. Was it Birmingham then? refrain refrain They forged the first steel nib. No it was in Sedgley, refrain refrain And that sir is no fib. singer 1 singer 2 refrain .. (repeat of first phrase twice.) source . Dudley library Mr Mitchel and Mr Gillot vied for the manufacturing supremecy of the production of steel nibs, both claiming publicly to have invented them. In fact it is well documented Daniel Fellows did, he not so hot on PR skills. Fred Sheldon was an opprotunist who tried to sell the idea on, as his own! Written on the 14=50 Paddington to Hereford express (derailments excepted)

Spring Heel Jack chorus Spring, spring, Spring Heel Jack. He’ll spring forward, he’ll spring back. He needs n’ere-a run or a dance to clear a chair from a standing stance.

He’ll leap in the air with one big hop, & clear that chair on a table top. chorus He’ll vault from a brick stood on its end yet leave that brick unmoved my friend. chorus He’ll cover ten chairs placed the length nor still not fully test his strength. chorus With two jumps span 28 ft wide, & all without a run or a stride chorus He’ll bound a billiard table long, but never once put his fine feet wrong. chorus He’ll skip all of twenty chairs and a horse, 16 hands on a furlong course. chorus Thirteen feet he will jump back, fifteen forward he can crack. chorus Joseph Darby was his name, & Dudley town from whence he came. chorus

© words and music CRESBY 26th Nov 1984 http://cresby.com Joseph Darby made a Victiorian career of spring-jumping over things like billiard tables (albeit with the cushions removed. His technique for traversing canals was to hold dumbells in his hands that were held high. As he neared the water he would throw them downwards and by Newtonian action/ reaction he would rise sufficiently to reach dry land before sinking too low. He made enough money to buy a pub. The Trumpet in Bilston was always always festooned with his photos. 71 72 Triskadecophobically speaking

Here's Good Luck to the Folk Club, Good Luck to the Old Nags Tail Jolly Good Luck to the Folk Club, Good Luck to the Old Nags Tail To the Folk Club the Treasurer the Half Treasurer the MC and Square Peg in the Round Hole Good Luck, Good Luck, Good Luck to the Old Nags Tail We wish Good Luck to the Heckler, (Oh yes we do!) Good Luck to the Old Nags Tail Jolly Good Luck to the Heckler, Good Luck to the Old Nags Tail To Amnesics Triskadecophobics Feature Nights (next week) the New Songs Dirge Master Vice Chair Chairperson Mark's Pint Pint Mark (if you can find it) the Heckler (Oh yes we do!) the Folk Club the Treasurer the Half Treasurer the MC and Square Peg in the Round Hole

Written for the Somer's FC which meets in the Nag's Tail on Fridays, regardles of number (Decembers &/or 25th 's excepting)

72 Shropshire Lemonade 73

6 8

I stand here before you, I have to confess (alternative version out of tempo if necessary) My life is in ruin, a total distress. Seduced by the juice of a potion known well A D E D C# A A D D F# A^ That can send you to heaven or descend you to Hell. I stand here before you, I have to confess I sip p'raps too much from the cup I'm afraid, A^ A^ A^ G F#F# A D D E D Still! I sing in the praise of real Shropshire Lemonade. My life is in ruin, a total distress. I watch the juice maker squeeze to the peel, E E E D C# AA D D E D I admire her fine touch and delicate feel. Seduced by the juice of a potion known well As ice is dropped in, my heart it goes chink A^ A^ A^ A^ G F# F# A A D D A E And blood starts a-coursing with face turning pink. That can send you to heaven or descend you to Hell. The taste and the tang on my tongue will not fade E E E D C# A A A^ A^ GF# As I sing in the praise of real Shropshire Lemonade. I sip p'raps too much from the cup I'm afraid, A A^A^ A^G F# A A D D D E D Sadly the queue for the juicer is long Still! I sing in the praise of real Shropshire Lemonade. With me at the back its unfair and so wrong. D A D A I need a slug of that extract for cure So come all young lads with her favours in mind, But I'll die of withdrawal by then I am sure. D G D The mixture (what a picture) pithy hand made Please leave the flavours of lemon behind. Makes I sing in the praise of real Shropshire Lemonade. A7 D So come all young lads with her favours in mind, Desert the dessert, I need the field clear Please leave the flavours of lemon behind. A7 D Desert the dessert, I need the field clear In a sweet citrus grove with just us two here, In a sweet citrus grove with just us two here, A7 D Then I will be hers: OR wake with a (start) (shock) Then I will be hers: OR wake with a (start) (shock) For my dreams are of her and so is my (heart) D G A7 (co -o -o -oncious thought) For my dreams are of her and so is my (heart) (co - o -o She's a shaft of bright sunshine, I shrink to shade A7 A7 D ncious thought) As I sing in the praise of real Shropshire Lemonade. She's a shaft of bright sunshine, I shrink to shade Yes I sing in the praise of real shropshire Lemonade D G D Only one pound a pint. As I sing in the praise of real Shropshire Lemonade. 73 74 ThemThem DucksDucks ThemThem DucksDucks © Cresby Chris Evans and Jordan Graham Aug 15 1999 http://cresby.com D Driving down the backroad, On a pleasant summer's day. A A length of winged walkers, Chose to cross my way A7 D Say are they pheasant cluckers, Gangling geese or grouse? A7 D Dshot Up pipes my backseat driver, With a shaft of shining wit - “Hey!” no accompanyment and spoken words “Hmmmmmmm them ducks ain't they?” Came to the country fairground, de carnival had begun. Caribbean dancers bending, in limbo have de fun. What is the dance they're doing, be day steps or stoops or crouch. Up pipes my backseat driver, With a shaft of shining wit - “Hey!” “Hmmmmmmm them ducks ain't they?” Passing by the water, Heading back to town Floating lumps of lumber, Bobbing up and down. Do my eyes deceive me, Are they rocks with rippling round? Up pipes my backseat driver, With a shaft of shining wit - “Hey!” Guitar chords “Hmmmmmmm them ducks ain't they?” Slumping on the sofa, Sneezing while I snooze, Tickling tactile tendrils, crawling up my nose. Are they goose down feathers, or polyester plumes? Up pipes my backseat driver, With a shaft of shining wit - “Hey!” “Hmmmmmmm them ducks ain't they?”

Eve Vocation When Adam was a-walking round the Garden of Eden, feeling very lonely just a-talking to himself God, he upped and asked him, “ Now what is the matter? You seem to be a-sitting my new creation called a shelf” Well, Adam started telling the almighty inventor “I just don’t have a soulmate to natter with each day!” Says God “In my role as the All-seeing Innovator I have the perfect answer in this special dossier”. Says Adam “I can’t wait, so tell me now I beg you, what is this brand new gadget that bears the words ‘For Sale’ “. God he spoke so slowly “I can tell you now about it with a temporary label I’ve called it a female”. “She will gather up your berries and cook ‘em all for supper and wash your under clothes when you discover what THEY are. She’ll agree on every issue, never argue, carp or nag you and indulge your peccadilloes from an endless repertoire. Says Adam “When there’s children all a-bawling through the night As I slumber, will she rise to wash and dress and soothe them?” “Yes” says God “I think that we can throw that in for nothing. And you cannot but agree that she is quite a little gem”. “Wow” asks Adam, asking for the cost of this great package. “An arm and a leg” says God because he cannot tell a fib “Oh” says Adam quicker as a smile begins to flicker “Now please tell me what I get if I offer just a rib”. © Cresby Brown May 2000 74 arr Cresby ©

Hot Cross Buns 1985 Easter 75 Chorus Hot cross buns, hot cross buns One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns One a penny poker, two a penny tongs Three a penny fire shovel, Hot cross buns, hot cross buns If daughters do not like ‘em them give ‘em to your sons Those one a penny, two a penny, hot gross buns And if you han’t any of those pretty little elves, You cannot do much better than eat them up yourselves...... Chorus Get them while there smokin’, buy them piping hot, Just as they come from the bakers shops. Hang one in your kitchen and you will have for sure: No illness in a twelve-month that it will not cure...... Chorus As Good Friday comes, an old woman runs, With one a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns This is their very virtue, if you believe whats said: They never grow mouldy like any common bread...... Chorus St. Peter as he stands at those pearly gates up there Is eating one this moment or two I do declare. Father Thomas Rocliffe himself you would have sweared Bakes them up in heaven for their daily bread...... Chorus

Father Thomas Rocliffe was a monk at St. Albans Abbey who fed the poor on Good Friday 1361 with buns having the religious symbol emprinted thereupon. Since that day the tradition thrives. The Greeks regularly baked round loaves with Bull horn symbols on as a mark of respect to Zeus (connected to Taurus) the word bun derives from the Greek word for bun. Greeks baked round loaves with crosses, it is thought, as symbols of the moon. As a child my mother used to sing versions of this at Easter to me and play a game with everyones open hands though otherwise somewhat like “One potato, two potato”. Several people, in a circle, placed an open hand palms down on top of another person's hand, in time to the music. Once round with the left hand (or right) and then again with the free hand. When all hands were placed the one on the bottom was removed and placed on top. Inevitably as the stacking of the appendages became less accurate the rhythm of the hands got out of phase with the song. I only remember the chorus being sung then. This was well documented in the Oxford Book of Nursery Rhymes but that tome post-dates the above episodes. The reason for this entry here is threefold, firstly I wanted a complete song of “Hot Cross Buns” and failed to find one in literature I had access to. Secondly I have added a verse as well as arranging the compilation of collected snippets. Thirdly I realised during my searching that I had collected, via the aural tradition, a piece of folklore. This was the seminal moment that defined the difference between being a revivalist and a participant. The difference always existed, despite the contentiousness of any definition, but it was as if the postion of the spot light had just been shifted from stage right to stage left. We are all participants, what is needed is percpicacity to filter out the commercially wind assisted, the re-creational recast out of well documented fare, the politico-religiously rule booked ritual, from the minutia that erudite reportage finds too ordinary and obvious to save for posterity. Remember Cecil Sharp had to convince his first singer that what he wanted from the hedge trimmer was indeed that bit of nonsense that would never normally get past the bar at the local boozer! The original need for this song was as a humourous reminder of the date at the Somer's Traditional Folk Club on Good Friday. The plot was to sing the song and have hot cross buns distributed amonst the audience. This was a huge success, especially watching the some chorus singers with a mouthfull of bun. Te he.

75 76 The Staffordshire Reef (Grab a Grannie dance ----- not)

Movement is in the general form of a Staffordshire Knot &/or a Reef. 4 Couple Square Sets (couples "proper" and initially facing in) Music and steps are a Hornpipe.

Verse 1 Couple 1 Lady dances in to the the left of centre man dances after heading to right of centre Thereby they cross over in the centre, Woman passing round the back of couple 3 turns right and goes round set clockwise Man passing round the back of couple 3 turns left and goes round set anti-clockwise Meanwhile couples 2 and 4 swing. (alternatively couples 2 & 4 dip & dive across & back, couple 3 swing)

Pass each other at their place (smart alecs may have time for one turn here)

Pass each other third time to come back round couple 3 and back to place. (smart alecs can swing to place through the centre of the set)

All swing to end of music phrase.

Verse 2 Repeat with couple 2 lead and 1 and 3 swinging

Verse 3 Couple 3 etc

Verse 4 Couple 4 etc

Verse 5 Couples 1 and 3 lead (watch the confusion in the centre)

Verse 6 Couples 2 and 4 lead

Verse 7 Optional (Strictly for multiple smart alecs) Only possible if everyone observes the lady first rule and sets off at an angle rather than straight on.

Shake the Pepperpot. (move only so far) cajun in form but for four couples. four couple set holding hands in a circle men with partner on his right without letting go and using a cupped fingers hold ;-

all circling left, the men lift their right arms as the womenlift their left arm & rotate clockwise under the man's arm to face out still circling. men lower arms

reverse move to revert to circle 76 The Upton Maypoll 77 A dance written to celebrate the glorious defeat by the forces of apathy over an arbitrary government decision (the arbitrary government will be dealt with later) thus preserving the Mayday Bank Holiday especially for the Upton-u-Severn Folk Festival Configuration. 7 couple sets ; in two concentric circles, women on the outside facing in; men on the inside facing the women. The caller nominates the lead couple. Lead man (committee chairthingy) holds a baton (e.g. a ribbon, stick, hanky or tankard) Music Any tune suitable for a strip the willow eg Drops of Brandy / Rocky Road to Dublin Dance (left, right & centre refer to the dance not the political direction) 1 Link right elbows with partner and 1 turn; men finish on inside facing out 2 Men circle to their left facing out (linking arms may save space} Women go to their left to produce contra- rotating circles. Circle until facing partner again 3 Link left elbows with partner and 1/2 turn; women finish on inside facing out 4 Women circle to their right facing out (linking arms may save space) Men go to their right to produce contra- rotating circles. Circle until facing partner again 5 Lead man hands on baton to next man (preferably counter-clockwise but no harm done as long as it passes the same direction each time) He is still lead man until end of sequence. 6 Link right elbows with partner and 1/2 turn; men finish on inside facing out 7 Lead couple do an additional 1 turn but progress to centre of set in one smooth movement. The rest of set leave the gap for their return, and turn to face anti-clockwise 8 Lead woman strips the Maypole {Polling the others on the issues} round the set, right elbow to partner left to the other man the other man having been stripped then right elbow turns with his partner 1/2 turn or any odd number of 1/2 turns that he can fit in the remaining time. Women finish on the inside 9 On reaching the end of the woman’s strip the lead coupie do an extra 1/2 turn. The man strips round the set. The other couples follow with their 1/2 turn 10 On completeing the man’s strip lead couple elbow turn 1/2 times back to place as other couples perform 1 turn. Men finish on the inside facing out. 11 Set proceeds with circle left (as per 2) 12 Poll is complete after all 7 couples have taken the lead. All couples may sit down to argue over the results of the poll or conduct a second ballot. Notes for political correctness the references to “Men” and “Women” can all be transposed and a role reversed dance is in essence no different and probably more enjoyable. Order Order, here here. ©1994 Cresby Brown, (Mr Folkofax) The dance is offered to the folk world to freely: call, copy &/or distribute with the proviso that: it’s author, the Upton-u-Severn Folk Festival Worcestershire, & Mayday Bank Holiday are prominently mentioned before the dance. Ta. This was tried a few times but proved to be less than ideal for it's stated purpose. Some comments came back that it left a lot of couples standing doing nothing for a long time. It does require a relatively large & precise number of couples and takes-up a larger space than most sets. It gets out of shape easily, and recognising the start and finish did not prove to be as straightforward as was envisiaged even with the artifice of a marker baton. So as it stands is more a curiosity than functional entertainment. There are probably 1/2 turns in the wrong direction &/or place. The stated aim is to publicise the Upton FF so the dance must incorporate the name of Upton and preferrably refer to the Mayday. A good dance will go places and take the name of Upton FF with it. The features of the dance must reflect the name it is given otherwise the name won't survive the "folk process". There has to be a good reason for it's existence, other than the cynical "stated aim". A good dance will have some original or rare feature, be interesting without over complication but not simple. Well that's the theory - the easy bit. The above realisation falls short but the plus points demonstrate the attempt to match the title to the shape of the dance. It is circular with couples weaving round the imaginary maypole though perhaps a grand chain would have achieved that metaphor more elegently. It has seven couples (ref Upton upon Severn) and maypole ties-in with Mayday. The title could be better shorter like "Upton Maypoll" or "Upton Mayswing", "Upton Mayfest" or "Upton. Oh Good!" (hint - say it fast) "Upton at 'em". "Shake the Pepperpot" would be a good contender but is weakened by being less obviously attatchd to Upton. So given a fairly free hand, what is your vision of the dance? More than one solution is fine. 77 78

GC G D

singing gold for my lady silver for the maid copper for the copper-smith who’s cunning at his trade GC GD6 G

finish with repeat from here to end of chorus " but says the iron miner pickin' up his fall a big churn of brush ore is better than them all GCG

v1+4 Dow_n in____ the brown rock way__ beneath the turf, you’ll find { } the iron miners v2 Think on one poor { } miner lanky Jubut Kear { } so worn were___ his old bones they v3 Many an old { } miner knew { } El i jah Brain so skilled was he in each hand he D6 GC

v1+4 hacking__ at the earth, { } chipping for a living { } their hand drills beating proud_ { } v2 creaked for all to hear { } as he walked to work they say you’d hear his joints go crack { }! v3 used 'em { } both the same without he’d miss a beat he’d { } { } lean the other way catch GD 6Grest Words & Music ! © Cresby Brown one bar 2nd Aug 1985 X O XXO v1+4 ringing out the rhythm of this song they’re singing loud singing guit v2 swinging his old weary frame clear down the Clearwell track singing acc v3 hammer in his drill hand and! swap like that all day singing D6 = Imagine a dank day in the Forest of Dean, where would you go? Clearwell Iron Mines seem like a good idea. Those beginnings of inspiration are tickled by the carved bedrock and drawings of miners gripping wooden candle holders in their teeth. The museum personnel are pestered for more information or at least a source book. Finally when Cresby hints at some lyrical purpose, they reveal true stories of 2 men who worked there and an old poem. As an after-thought they admitted, almost apologetically, it was not a poem, the men used to chant it to time their hammer blows. The effect of this revelation must be similar to those S. Baring-Gould & C. Sharp felt when they saw a crown of gleaming gold in what the rural labourer treated like a sweaty, moth-eaten felt hat. The chant became a chorus and the stories shuffled themselves into place. The tune? Well it just seems to fit, two hammer blows per bar. In true antique trade tradition, one might be able to claim it as traditional because more than 50% of the material is 100 years old. But we won’t! Mr Kipling might disapprove. The hand drills referred to are 4/5 ft. iron chisels with a leather ferrule near the hand- hold to divert the water away from the hand. The drill technique was blow & rotate, blow & rotate using water to soften and remove limestone debris. The deep holes were then charged with explosives and detonated. A churn is a cavern or chamber. Brush ore looks like rounded hollow rocks the size of large potatoes or rugby balls which when cracked open revealed crystals of black iron oxide. The crystals grow from the limestone shell straight inwards looking just like a hair brush. http://cresby.com 78 Gold for my Lady Old England She Needs Soldiers 79

now old England she needs soldiers & I hope you’ll all reply she { } they sent us out to Egypt in the year of eighty four they

= 188 C# maj needs you in the service for to conquer or to die she sent us out to Egypt where the mighty cannons roar with

ne_ eds you in the ser vice for to join the jol ly crew & Gen er al Gordon we did go when there he met his fate &

these were the reg i ments that {} were present at Water loo these were the reg i ments {} arrived there {} an ace too late

there were the Light Guards & Cav al ry Mal li tia men &

vo lun teers Queens Bays, Scots Greys some of our In fan try

the Royal Marines, the Engineers, the Coldstream guards, the Fusel-

liers, the Hundred & Ninth Ma li tia and the Royal Ar_____ til lia ry v1 & 2 from the singing of Joe Latter at Putley Folk Festival They dressed us up in uniform of red & gold & black 1992. They dressed us up in uniform, a knapsack on our back. Joe learned it in 1940 from We marched right off to Africa, & we looked mighty swell And these were the regiments from which the soldiers fell: ch Alice Marsden (then aprox age 50, born in Derbyshire) of West We won the fight, we won the war, we won the bloody lot, Chiltington, Sussex, while he We won the fight, well some of us did, those that didn't get shot. was evacuated during WW2 The lucky ones left standing, they raised the Union Jack The content and chronology And these were the regiments that almost made back ch lead us to believe this is a Boer When we got back to Blighty, still in battledress, War recruiting song. Or perhaps When we got back to Blighty, we saw the officers mess. a Music Hall satire thereof. Recruiting sergeant he was there and us he did inspect, © Cresby Brown Aug 1992 And these were the regiments that almost wrang his neck. ch 79 80 The Old Barbed Wire The version below was collected from Robert Graves the war poet, via the radio. As a literary luminary (he wrote ‘I Claudius’) his passing commanded an extended obituary on radio news programs. In one - old interviews were broadcast and he recounted the mood of his fellow soldiers and demonstrated it with what they used to sing in the trenches. As deserters were being shot by firing squad at the time, the singing of this song was not only frowned upon, but positively sat upon. References to the song have all come from the lowly ranks and many years later, such was the fear engendered in the soldiers at the time. Other versions have been collected but of this at least there is some record - albeit held unbeknownst - at the BBC. The fragments also appeared on a BBC2 TV program in 1995 called Bookmark plotting the life of RG. No one at the BBC has ever responded to my request for a more complete transcript of the interview. The better known version has the private ‘hanging on the Old Barbed Wire’, perhaps the ‘Front Line Wire’ that Robert Graves knew was a little more dangerous. The girlfriend more poignant. My family folklore reports that in the first world war opposing soldiers on many fronts ceased fighting on Christmas Day and exchanged pleasantries and food, even managing a game of football on one. This is well documented despite the fact that the allies - particularly the British - suppressed all news of this. Tommy Aktins was was brought up to be a decent honest citizen who always told the truth. So although he might wait to be asked (given the threat of firing squad) then he would not lie about these things. Thus it was in the Staffordshire regiment that for three months after Boxing Day, their casualties were light. Until that is, ultimately, the officer class spotted a remarkable similarity in the dearth of deaths on both sides of the front line. Big and little guns were firing as fast and furious as ever but the aim on both sides was somehow awry. You won't find that in any army historians' accounts unless it is as a rider to a mass execution by firing squad. I know of none in the Staffs. My brother-in-law was told this by his Grandfather Page.

Robert Graves version Do you want to find the General? I know where he is, I know where he is Oh I know where he is! Do you want to find the General, I know where he is! He's pinning another medal on his chest. I saw him, I saw him, pinning another medal on his chest, I saw him, pinning another medal on his chest. Do you want to find the Captain? I know where he is. I know where he is. Oh I know where he is! Do you want to find the Captain, I know where he is He's home again on seven days leave I saw him, I saw him, home again on seven days leave, I saw him, home again on seven days leave. Robert Graves made reference only to more verses when I now sing this I fill the intervening verses with the more well known verses eg Quartermaster - Drinking all the company's rum Sergeant - Dead drunk on the dugout floor Corporal - Up to his neck in clod Robert Graves then finished by stating without any hesitation the last verse Do you want to find your Sweetheart, I know where he is. I know where he is. Oh I know where he is! Do you want to find your Sweetheart I know where he is He's hanging on the front line wire. I saw him, I saw him, hanging on the front line wire, I saw him, hanging on the front line wire.

80 81 When singing this once in a rural pub SW of Hereford an old lady started dancing around to the astonishment of the folkies present. With my eyes closed I missed all this but sidled over to her later and pointed out she obviously knew the song. Her response was along the lines of “Yes but you don't know the propper words”. I obliquely suggested she whispered them to me but all she would say is “That's for me to know and you to find out”. No amount of cajolling would change her mind. In a similar incedent at a folkies gathering in Ruardean Dec 1997 the song caught the rapt attention of an old lad who ignored all other fare. I was not present. When told this I asked for the gent to be pointed-out but we were in a different pub and no-one seemed at all interested in the possibility that we might be able to collect more FOLK. Ho hum. The folklorist Roy Palmer had not heard of Robert Grave's version despite having just had published his book of war songs "What a Lovely War" (ISBN 0-7181-3357-9). The book contains much insite on other versions and other famous documenters of the song. The version Roy gives is far removed from the version I know from folk clubs, a version emanating from an unidentified vynal record of the 70's (ish) alledgedly.

© Cresby June 1998 http://cresby.com The Why Memorial (the Old Barbed "Why Here"?) If you want to find the Butcher, I know where he is, I know where he is, Oh I know where he is If you want to find the Butcher, I know where he is, his name it is written in the stone. I saw it, I saw it, His name it is written in the stone I saw it, name it is is written in the stone. If you want to find the Baker, I know where he is, I know where he is, Oh I know where he is If you want to find the Baker, I know where he is, he died with a bullet all alone. I saw it, I saw it, He died with a bullet all alone I saw it, died with a bullet all alone. If you want to find the Candlestick maker, I know where he is, I know where he is, Oh I know where he is If you want to find the Candlestick maker, I know where he is, his flame it no longer burns. I saw it I saw it, His flame it no longer burns I saw it, flame it no longer burns. If you want to find their Grandsons, I know where they are, I know where they are, Oh I know where they are If you want to find their Grandsons, I know where they are, they're leaving all their litter here. I saw them I saw them, leaving all their litter here I saw them leaving all their litter here.

The tune is from "the Od Barbed Wire" though the scansion of candlestick maker needs thought. It has to be him though. This was a project set in a songwriting workshop. The inspiration was devised by Sandra Kerr who had just spent half an hour in a memorial garden preparing mentally for the task of running a workshop. The memorial was in the form a of a garden featuring a stone cross, on whos horizontal members were perched an empty crisp bag, a Coke can and sundry other discards. What, Sandra asked, was the direction of our inspiration? I quickly canvassed opinion for a colaborative effort. No one seemed interested in a shared experience which I reasoned was the quickest route for the 15 minutes we had. Perhaps piqued by the rejection, stunned into action I got inspiration and the formulaic nature of the song allowed me to finish it with time to spare. No one else managed more than a verse. Sometimes a problem shared is a problem halved. Sometimes irritation is a better spur. I was pleased with the result, the swiftness of its birth takes nothing from its message or its worth.

81 82 = 75 I'm a Paper Lad

I’m a paper lad selling papers. Who for_? me uncle Mickey.

What’s ‘ee gin thee? Skinny old 'apeny. Skinny old bloke, ‘ee owt to dee! wheers thi

'ape ny, in me pocket. Wheers thi pocket? In me britches. Wheers thi britches?

In the popshop.Whe'ersthepopshop?'Round the corner. Oh! Well that ‘ll do then_.

I'm a Navvy

I'm a navvy I'm a navvy on the railwayline, four &twenty bob a week &workin' over time

roast pork,boiled ham,sausage made wi' eggs. Here comes a navvy wi' a pair o' sausage* legs I can

¶ use a pick &spade,I canshove a little wagon up a brewbrew brew, &when I get t' top I can sup a

pop shop = pawnbroker § pop = beer ¶ brew = hill * susage legs = bow legs § bottle of pop and work till me shirts wet through

These two pace-egging songs were collected from Somer's Club member Joe Hurley. Joe grew up during the 30's in the area of Church & Oswoldtwistle, part of latterday Accrington, Lancs. As a young boy, with his friends, he would go from door to door, sing two songs, then knock on the door, saying “owt f' pace eggers?”. They were always in traditional fancy dress consisting of items like a girls skirt, a jacket worn inside-out and blacked-up faces. Others who lived then and recognised the songs confirmed the tradition and added that it was quite young lads, not girls, that went out in the 30's. By that time the begging for eggs had devolved to a few welcome pennies, just one more season for carol singers. There were other songs but Joe can not remember them, they were short though. My rendition of the Navvy song is very true to his memory of it. Accurate presentations of Paper Lad have so far fallen short. Musical notation was provided by Joe, who steadfastly prefers not to sing them, even in the interests of posterity. 82 Todd the Toad 83 Oh Todd the Toad, Oh Todd the Toad, Why ever did you cross the road? You used to be so green and fat, But now you are so red and flat. Oh Todd the Toad, Oh Todd the Toad, Why ever did you cross the road? Oh Todd the Toad, Oh Todd the Toad, Why ever did you cross the road? You didn't see that car ahead, Now you're stuck to a tyre tread Oh Todd the Toad, Oh Todd the Toad, Why ever did you cross the road? sung to the same tune as “the International” collected from Victoria Makeman (age 16 approx) of “Clattering Clogs” at Putley FF 1997 Victoria learned this from her Guide leader Hellen Stuckey of 12th Worksop Guides Worksop Nottinghamshire. Shine Your Buttocks My father's a lavort'ry cleaner, _ he works at the lo~ocal pit _ And when he comes home in the ev'ning, _ his boots are all covered in .... chorus Shine your buttocks with Brasso, _ it's only two ha'pennies a tin. _ You can buy it or nick it from Woolies, _ but I doubt if the'll 'ave any in. _ Some say that he died of a fever, _ some say that he died of a fit, _ But I know what my daddy died of, _ he died of the smell of the..... ch Some say that he's buried in gravel, _ some say that he's buried in grit, _ But I know what my daddy's buried in, _ he's buried in a big pile of.... ch Some say that he left me a fortune, _ some say that he left me a bit, _ But I know what my daddy left me, _ he left me a big pile of.... ch sung to the same tune as “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” ~ repeat phoneme as a syllable for correct scansion. _ denotes beginning of the bar, as do all blue letters. collected from the young lassies of “Clattering Clogs” who learned it from their Guide Leader see above for details. Victoria Greenwood (originally of Leintwardine, Herefs) remembers a version sung in approx 1970 My father's a lavatory cleaner, he works all day and all night, and when he comes home in the evening, his boots are all covered in ...... Shine your buttons with Brasso etc etc etc.

"Old England She needs Soldiers" Roy Palmer was the obvious person to consult when I collected “Old England ...” and at the time he had no research of his own that could shed any light on the song, though he felt the tune was a derivative of “the Ball of Kirriemuir”. In my estimation that "ball" has bounced a long way! The Bodlean Library and especially it's music department were unable to help either. By Feb 1998 Roy Palmer had happened across a reference to what was clearly a sibling &/ or descendant of “Old England...” The infantry went over the top, the Fuseliers as well As we engaged the Gerry at the battle of Neuchâtel ...... For there were the RC's, C of E's, Chinese and Japanese Siamese and Portuguese and some of the infantry There were the bombadiers and brigadiers and Mademoiselle from Armentièrs Some of the Irish Rifles and the Royal Artillery. (from a pre-WWII Territorial; learned from an old Sweat Instructor.) The tenor and references to various groups makes one think immediately of a later age than Joe Latter's version. 83 84 Riddle me that Riddles, educative phrases I remember from my childhood Riddle-me Riddle-me Roat-te-toat

I saw a man in a red coat, a stick in his hand, a stone in his throat

Riddle-me Riddle-me Roat-te-toat answer cherry a What goes up a chimney down, but not down a chimney up? answer umbrella an Though these were principally given to me by my Grandmother {Mary Ann (Polly) Ingram neé Edge} they were ever present in the family consciousness. The Edge and Ingram families lived in and around Darlaston and Wednesbury from the 1841 census through to 1954 when Polly died. It was mother who told me that: Grandad, Thomas William Ingram, told the story below that was told to him by his father (William Thomas). Ultimately this could be traced back to Mark Twain though he probably acquired it aurally. When I was twenty, my father knew nothing. When I was twenty one I was amazed how much he had learned in one year! The previous generation, Thomas William, drank himself into the workhouse so what he might have said was measured in pints. Polly taught Thomas William to read and write. Neither his father, nor his mother Agatha, could even sign their names on Thomas's birth certificate, X had to suffice. This was common in 1880 and before because schooling cost a penny a day. Indeed Aunt May (Thomas William's youngest sister born 1890's) took her nieces to silent movies so they could read out the story and dialogue, much to the annoyance of the rest of the audience. Some nieces were given the task of reading and writing the love letters between Aunt May and her future husband, which they enjoyed to a far greater degree than trips to the cinema! Aunt May reported remembering, as a very young girl, a Boer War recruitment rally coming to Darlaston. She watched from an upstairs room as the military band played jingoistic music and read out enticements to potential volunteers. They left empty-handed that day according to her. My paternal Grandmother Margaret (Martha) Brown neé Huffadine used to repeat the advice below, as given to her by her mother and presumably so on back through the generations. It was intended for my sister though I guess if I was listening..... (no I wasn't, yes I should have been), visa vis choosing a spouse: Winter them and summer them, then winter 'em again. And from the same textbook, in the same beauty is only skin deep chapter she often said: Handsome is as handsome does. Another ever present family (and community) phrase was in describing someone with less than average intelligence as: not knowing how many beans make five Which puzzled me through to adulthood, because it was so obvious that five beans made five! Oh the shame of my ignorance. It was a colleague that pointed-out that the correct formula was : Bean, half a bean, bean an' half, and two bean. Hmm, amazing. Since then many formulae have come to light but all working on the same theme. Even more amazingly all purport to be the true answer. Hmmm. My sister, Valerie Joyce Lewis neé Brown, learned this skipping rhyme c1952, in Wednesbury. I distinctly remember the progress of learning covered more than one day and the result was longer than all I can recall. There was a possible change of form at the end involving a counting scheme or the song alluded to or a prediction that the skipping would fail as the speed increased. Or maybe it became the song mentioning in the song, if you see what I mean. Hezikiah the King of the Jews, Bought his wife a pair of shoes When the shoes began to wear, Hezikiah began to swear When the swearing failed to stop, Hezikiah bought a shop When the shop began to sell, Hezikiah bought a bell When the bell began to ring, Hezikiah began to sing.

84 Games People Play 85 Folk pursuits are often well documented, these are snippets I have not seen in print or differ.

Tin-can-alerky. Grandfather told me many things, few of which stuck. The name of this game did and the fact that it involved a tin can. The precise rules that he played to are not recalled but it was he and his friends that played. I assume it was a boys game but cannot confirm that. What is of significance here is that this kiddy's game existed in the towns of Wednesbury and Darlaston and they called it by this name in the early 1880's. This differs slightly from documented reports in that Wolverhampton is the nearest location credited for the same naming of the game and the dating was not this early. I doubt the spelling of the game is accurate, it is my attempt at phonetic correctness. Grandfather pronounced it in one long concatenation and certainly could not read or write with any degree profficiency (if at all) at the time he played this game.

Turkey The game of Turkey was popular at my boarding school in the early fifties amonst boys aged between 7 and 11, the reason for the age range being so specific was due to the segregation into junior and senior schools with appropriate age ranges. I never knew the game by any other name. The Royal Wolverhampton School had a catchment area stretching from Newcastle on Tyne southwards, most kids were from within a 100 mile radius, all kids had lost one parent, their father almost without exception. This game was was another form of hide and seek. It involved the use of four sticks and a tennis ball. Three sticks in an ‘H’ were leant up against a wall, probably at 15 to 30 degrees off vertical. This was called the ‘den’. The fourth stick usually had a naturally forked end or fortuitous protuberance, though not always if the length and skill of the setter were conducive. Stick 4 rested the horizontal of the ‘H’ to keep it in position by balance and friction. The length did not need to be precisely right for the position of the horizontal because stick 4 could sit at a steeper angle. The sticks were invariably found pieces often fairly dry and usually branches rather than sawn timber. One inch diameter would be a bit big, half inch too fragile on dry wood. The idea was to have a person ‘on’ who did the seeking. One hider threw the ball at the ‘H’ to scatter the sticks. There must have been an accolade for breaking a stick in certain versions of the rules because some ball throwers would hurl with considerable force from the (about) 10 yard distance allocated. The force also allowed the ball to bounce a longer distance. The seeker would hide his eyes and count to a nominal value (usually 100) as the hiders scattered. The seeker had to nuetralise the hiders by physical contact either personally or by hitting with the ball. Found persons congregated by the ‘den’ and acted as lookouts for any brave hider who could rush in and reset the ‘H’. If he managed this the game started over with the same seeker. Otherwise the first found became the seeker in a new game after all hiders were caught. Five or so participants were normal, more than ten made the game cumbersome.

Practical jokes Mother told of this wheeze perpetrated by a couple of her friends who eventually married (the Murphys). They came up behind mother in Franchise St., Wednesbury which has a reasonable slope and hooked their umbrella handle in the belt of her coat. They then proceeded to push her along downhill at a fair pace. She found it impossible to run away because of the pace and she was hooked. The episode doubtless resolved within yards because a turn to the left would spoil the fun. It was deemed a good wheeze by all.

85 86 Index A Shine Your Buttocks 83 animals skipping song 84 Froggy in the Waste Pipe 25 The Old Barbed Wire 80 Old Joe’s 50 Todd the Toad 83 Todd the Toad 83 Cone Fone Blues 37 Two Little Rabbits 30 Cotswold Air 45 Ar Well it Cud ‘Ave Been Wus 14 Coughton Conspiracy 41 As the Church Bell Chimed 39 curse B Shadow of Hangmans Hill 49 Back Seat Driver 8 customs Bangers & Machinations 15 Easter 75 Be - Devilled 21 Hot Cross Buns 75 begging 20 Mothering Sunday 4 Ben Perkins 29 The Rollright Stones 38 Black country ’TWAS ON A MOTHERING SUNDAY 4 Ar Well it Cud ‘Ave Been Wus 14 Valentine's Day 22 Enamellamelling 15 Cutting a Dash 53 His Nibs 71 D Lockmakers Lament 54 dance blackcountry Shake the Pepperpot 76 Old Joe’s 50 Staffordshire Reef 76 blood stains 42 The Upton Maypoll 77 blues Darlaston Screws 64 Ron Hayward 20 date Staffordshire Blues 35 1880 85 Talkin’ Cow Blues 10 1952 84 Vomit 22 1954 85 boats 50 1983 Fool's Gold 29 Nov 71 Haul Away 27 1984 Boer War 79, 84 Aug 37 bricks 35 July 47 buttocks 83 June 63 buttons 83 Nov 29, 59, 71 C Oct 8, 15, 16, 36, 47, 54, 58 Caesar, Julius 41 Sept 35, 50, 53 canals 53 1985 80 Cutting a Dash. 53 April 49, 56 Old Joe’s 50 Aug 32, 78 car 26 August 54 cars Easter 75 Back Seat Driver 8 July 53, 70 DAVID WILKIE 64 March 24 When we go Rolling on our Own 25 May 48 Carter Fell 13 Nov 52 Cemetary Sept 5, 33 As the Church Bell Chimed 39 1986 Chastleton's Chalice 40 April 57 Church 39 Dec 19 Church Bell Chimed 39 March 38 Civil Ian Says 63 May 49 Civil War Oct 17 Chastleton's Chalice 40 1988 collected Dec 7, 22 Gold for my Lady 78 Jan 50, 51 I'm a Navvy 82 Mar 12 I'm a Paper Lad 82 Sep 30 juvenile game 75 Sept 30 Old England She Needs Soldiers 79 1989 riddles & sayings 84 Feb 13 86 87 June 31 Lola's Flowers 44 March 12 Shropshire Lemonade 73 Nov 26, 55 driving 1990 Back Seat Driver 8 Feb 14, 28 When we go Rolling on our Own 25 Mar 27 ducks 74 Nov 27 E 1991 Enamellamelling 15 Halloween 13 enamels 15 Mothering Sunday 31 Endearing's Not for You 62 1992 9, 29 Eve 74 Aug 79 Eve Vocation 74 Feb 8, 15 1993 F April 21 Fawkes, Guy 41 Feb 20 feather 74 Jan 60, 65 flowers 44 July 6, 66 food 1994 Bangers & Machinations 15 Autumn 82 Hot Cross Buns 75 Feb 22 Ice Cream 49 1995 The Oak & the Willow 56 March 25 ’TWAS ON A MOTHERING SUNDAY 4 May 25 Valentine Apples 22 1996 WorsestershireSauce 59 Feb 26 Fool's Gold 29 March 23 Forest of Dean 78 May 37, 46 Froggy in the Waste Pipe Bobbing Around 25 1997 G Aug 39, 40, 41, 44, 45 games 85 July 83 glassmaking 47 Nov 43 Gloucester 42 Sept 42, 43, 44 goat 54 1998 God 74 June 81 gold Nov 72 Fool's Gold 29 1999 Gold for my Lady 78 Aug 73 gospel Aug 15 74 OH LORD 10 DAVID WILKIE 64 Station in the Sky 50, 51 death Stay on the level 17 accident 5, 30 Graves, Robert 80 As the Church Bell Chimed 39 Great Bridge 50 Dave Jones 31 Gun Powder Plot DAVID WILKIE 64 Coughton Conspiracy 41 Hanging Jonathon 26 Sir Edmund Verney 12 H suicide 19 Hall Green Way 37 Tangiwai Bridge 5 Halloween Woodyore's Epitaph 34 If You Want to Find the Warlock 13 Delph flight of locks 50 Hanging Jonathon 26 Dentist Shanty 27 hats Devil 17, 21 All around my hat 47 Dip in yer pockets 70 It Hat to be U 46 dogs Haul Away 27 Pure Finder 23 heavan 44 Don’t get Married Boys 48 Stay on the Level 17 Dover's Soul 45 henge drinking Rollright Stones 38 Chastleton's Chalice 40 STONES of HENGE 65 If Oi be Oi 42 Hezikiah the King of the Jews 84 87 88 hills M In the shadow of Hangmans Hill 49 Major, John 37 His Nibs 71 Malvern 49 hornpipe Merry Bookbinder 58 Staffordshire Reef 76 metal 78 horses 42 Enamellamelling 15 Old Joe’s 50 Gold for my Lady 78 Old Rags and Bones 57 Old Rags & Bones 57 hospitals monks 49 Sister Dora 16 Monmouth 43 Hot Cross Buns 75 Moving Shanty 28 how many beens make five 84 murder 42 humour N Cone Fone Blues 37 Cutting a Dash 53 Nelson, Lord 43 Dentist Shanty 27 nuns Froggy in the Waste Pipe Bobbing Around 25 Sister Dora 16 Hanging Jonathon 26 nuts & bolts 64 If Oi be Oi 42 O I’m a Solicitor 63 oak 56 Knittershanty 55 Oak & the Willow, the 56 Moving Shanty 28 Ocker Bank 50 Pure Finder 23 OH LORD 10 Shine Your Buttocks 83 Oi be Oi 42 Shropshire Lemonade 73 Old Barbed Wire, the 80 Station in the Sky 50, 51 Old England She Needs Soldiers 79,83 Them Ducks 74 Old Joe’s 50 Todd the Toad 83 Old Rags and Bones 57 Two Little Rabbits 30 Olympic Games Vomit Blues 22 Dover's Soul 45 When we go Rolling on our Own 25 origami 44 I P Ice Cream 49 Paper Chase 44 If Oi be Oi 42 people If You Want to Find the Warlock 13 David Wilkie, taxi driver 64 I'm a Navvy 82 General Gordon, of Khartom 79 I'm a Paper Lad 82 General Massey, Royalist 39 In the shadow of Hangmans Hill 49 Guy Fawks 41 iron 78 John Major, PM 37 Enamellamelling 15 Lord Nelson 43 Its for Jonesey 31 Queen Elizabeth II 5 J Robert Dover, Olympic Games 45 Jones, Dave 31 Robert Graves, poet 80 Jubilee Wedding Song 30 Shakespear 41 K Sir Edmund Verney 12 Sister Dora 16 Knittershanty 55 who Kufora Song 11 avoided capture by Cromwell 40 L drank too much 54 Lady Clare 32 had an epitaph 34 landscape 45 invented hot X buns 75 Lea & Perrins 59 invented steel nibs 71 Lemonade 73 jumped for money 71 Lockmakers Lament 54 laid a curse 49 Lola's Flowers 44 made barrels 29 Lord Nelson 43 mined iron ore 78 lullaby owned a boat 50 Clare 32 owned a pub 44 Lisa 33

88 89 ran Folk Festivals 31 S slept rough 20 Sarah's Brew 40 strangled the Vicar 42 satire were heroic 5 Civil Ian Says 63 places Endearing's Not for You 62 Accrington, Lancs 82 sausages Africa 79 Bangers & Machinations 15 Aldridge, Staffs 35 Section 2 Blues 11 Baddesly Clinton, Warks 42 Shake the Pepperpot 76 Bilston, Staffs 15 Shakespeare Birmingham 28 Tide in the Affairs of Man 41 Carter Fell, Cumbria 13 shanty Charlcote Park, Warks 41 computers 9 Chastleton House, Oxon 40 dentist 27 Clearwell, Gloucs 78 Fool's Gold 29 Coatham, Co Durham 16 Hanging Johnathon 26 Cookham, Berks 34 Haul Away 27 Cotswolds 45 Knittershanty 55 Coughton Court, Worcs 41 Moving 28 Darlaston 7, 64, 84, 85 Push on the Shovel 7 England 79 Roll Boys Roll 52 Fleece Inn, Worcs 44 Roman Way 40 GCHQ 62, 63 Skoda 26 Hangmans Hill, Malvern 49 Shine Your Buttocks 83 Malvern Hills 24 Shropshire Lemonade 73 Rollright Stones 38 Sinners 54 Sedgley, Staffs 71 Sir Edmund Verney 12 Staffordshire 76, 80 Sister Dora 16 Stonehenge 65 Skoda 26 Tangiwai, NZ 5 Skoda Shanty 26 Upton upon Severn 39, 66 Slumber Lisa 33 Wednesbury 84, 85 solicitor 63 Westbury on Severn 42 spare 48 Willenhall, Staffs 14 sport 71 Wolverhampton 36, 85 Spring Heel Jack 71 Worcestershire 59 Staffordshire Blues 35 practical jokes 85 Staffordshire Reef 76 Pretty Eilidh 19 Stain on My Floor 42 Prime Ministers Station in the Sky 50, 51 Cone Fone Blues 37 Stay on the Level 17 Pure Finder 23 suicide 19 Push on the shovel 7 Pretty Eilidh 19 R T Rabbits 30 Talkin’ Cow Blues 10 rags taxi 64 Old Rags and Bones 57 The Upton Maypoll 77 Repent Ye Sinners Repent 54 The Why Memorial 81 Riddle-me Riddle-me Roat-te-toat 84 theft road cones Rob Roy 6 Cone Fone Blues 37 Them Ducks 74 Rob Roy 6 Tide in the Affairs of Man 41 Roll Boys Roll 52 Tin can alurky 85 Rollright Stones, the 38 Tipton 50 Roman Way 40 toads Romans 40 Todd the 83 Ron Haywards Blues 20 Todd the Toad 83 rubbish Old Rags and Bones 57

89 90 trades Wedding Song baker 81 see Jubilee 30 bookbinding 58 Wednesbury brickmaking 35 Hall Green Way 37 butcher 81 When we go Rolling on our Own 25 candlestick maker 81 Where is the Hope? 28 coopering 29 wicker 8 dentist 27 Willenhall 54 enamelling 15 willow foundary 7 The Oak & the Willow 56 glass blowing 47 Willy the wicker worker 8 ice cream seller 49 Willy the wicker worker 8 iron mining 78 witches 13 lemonade maker 73 Wolverhampton I Wanders? 36 lockmaking 54 wood lorinry 58 Ben Perkins 29 navvy 82 The Oak & the Willow 56 nib making 71 Willy the wicker worker 8 nursing 16 Woodyore's Epitaph 34 pickpocket 6 Worcestershire Sauce 59 pure finding 23 Y rag & bone man 57 Yap 12 solicitor 63 sport 71 wicker work 8 trains crash 5 Station in the Sky 50, 51 trees The Oak & the Willow 56 TROUBLE BOYS 31 Turkey 85 TWAS ON A MOTHERING SUNDAY 4 Two Little Rabbits 30 U unions Civil Ian Says 63 DAVID WILKIE 64 Endearing's Not for You 62 up a chimney down 84 Upton Upton Bridge 39 Upton Stick Song 67 V Valentine Apples 22 Verney, Sir Edmund 12 Vomit Blues 22 W war Boer War 79, 84 Chastleton's Chalice 40 Coughton Conspiracy 41 Lord Nelson 43 Old England She Needs Soldiers 79 Roman Way 40 Sir Edmund Verney 12 The Old Barbed Wire 80 Upton Bridge 39 WW I 80 90 91