The poetry of brass bands Gavin Holman 28 September 2017 (National Poetry Day) - updated July 2021 Over the years several brass bands have been immortalised in poetry. From those lauding their heroes to the ones which are critical or even insulting. From the earliest days, poets have found something in the music of the bands and the people who play in them to inspire their muse. I think it is fair to say that most of the writers would not have made a career out of their works - some are certainly more William McGonagall than William Wordsworth – but nonetheless they are priceless views of the bands and bandsmen. 131 examples of odes to the bands of the past are provided here for your enjoyment. Rehearsing for the band contest – the trombone section 1 Contents RISHWORTH AND RYBURN VALLEY BRASS BAND ........................................... 5 CAMELON BRASS BAND .................................................................................. 5 SLAIDBURN BAND ........................................................................................... 6 FRECKLETON BAND ......................................................................................... 6 ROTHWELL TEMPERANCE BAND ..................................................................... 6 THOSE CORNETS! (Barrow upon Humber Band)............................................. 7 HARROGATE BAND SONG ............................................................................... 7 WHAT A DAY (Ecclesfield Silver Band) ............................................................ 8 CARNWATH BRASS BAND ............................................................................. 10 DUNNIKIER BRASS BAND............................................................................... 11 THE CONTEST - A TRIBUTE TO THORNLEY BAND .......................................... 12 THE BLANCHARDSTOWN SOUND ................................................................. 12 THE BRASS BAND CONTEST OR BLIND JACKSON FOR EVER .......................... 13 THE BRASS BAND CONTEST - THE NORWICHER'S GRAND SPREE ................. 14 THE RIGGS OF A BAND CONTEST .................................................................. 16 T' BRAMLA BAND (Bramley Band) ................................................................ 17 A TRIBUTE TO BRAMLEY BAND ..................................................................... 20 ST. ANDREW’S JUNIOR BAND, HULL ............................................................. 21 THE BANDSMAN’S PRAYER ........................................................................... 22 THE MOSSLEY BAND...................................................................................... 22 BAND NIGHT .................................................................................................. 23 THE BRASS BAND CONTEST ........................................................................... 23 BRAVO, SPRINGS! BRAVO! (Irwell Springs Band) .......................................... 27 ASTON CONTEST – 1860 ............................................................................... 28 THE BRASS BAND CONTEST ........................................................................... 30 THE TUGGSVILLE BAND CONTEST ................................................................. 30 KINGSTON MILLS BAND - 1855 ..................................................................... 32 HAWORTH BAND........................................................................................... 34 WILLIAM RIMMER ......................................................................................... 35 DENBY DALE PRIZE BAND .............................................................................. 35 SLAIDBURN SILVER BAND .............................................................................. 36 THE BAND ...................................................................................................... 37 MELISSA ........................................................................................................ 37 THE TROMBONE ............................................................................................ 38 TWIXT DOWN AND SEA (Littlehampton Town Band) ................................... 38 THE ENLIVENED HOUR, OR THE VILLAGE SERENADE .................................... 39 BACK TO SOUTH STREET ............................................................................... 39 TIM ................................................................................................................ 41 CARGO FLEET STEEL WORKS SILVER BAND ................................................... 42 FOR THE WEEKEND (Friary Guildford Band) ................................................. 43 SHAKE A STICK ............................................................................................... 44 THE ADJUDICATOR ........................................................................................ 44 MUTE ............................................................................................................. 44 GOING DOWN T’ BAND ................................................................................. 45 PLYMOUTH SAXHORN BAND (INDIANA, USA) .............................................. 46 THE OLD BANDSTAND (BY HARDRAW FALLS) ............................................... 47 WILLIE’S GERMAN BAND ............................................................................... 47 ANOTHER GREAT CONCERT – “MUSIC HATH CHARMS” (?) .......................... 48 RAYMERTOWN CADET BAND 1888-1894 ..................................................... 49 BAND PRACTICE ............................................................................................ 51 WHERE THERE'S MUCK THERE'S BRASS ........................................................ 51 SERENADE ..................................................................................................... 52 2 STRIKE UP THE BAND! ................................................................................... 52 BRASS BAND MUSIC OOP NORTH LIKE ......................................................... 52 CHRISTMAS CAROLLING ................................................................................ 53 MOUSEHOLE TEMPERANCE BAND ................................................................ 53 YORKSHIRE MILITARY BAND.......................................................................... 54 THOWD CHAP SAT INT CORNER .................................................................... 54 CARNDONAGH BRASS ................................................................................... 55 BASS DOUBLE B ............................................................................................. 56 HACKETSTOWN BAND ................................................................................... 57 BESSES O’ TH’ BARN BAND ............................................................................ 57 A WELCOME .................................................................................................. 58 DUNGOG BRASS BAND .................................................................................. 58 LE MIRLITON .................................................................................................. 59 THE OPHICLEIDE ............................................................................................ 60 ONLY A SECOND TROMBONE ........................................................................ 60 CAMBORNE TOWN BAND ............................................................................. 61 YAR BAND (Scapegoat Hill Band) .................................................................. 63 ST DENNIS BAND AT BUGLE .......................................................................... 64 THE LITTLE GREEN DOOR ON THE HILL (Black Dyke Band) ........................... 67 ODE OF A BANDSMAN .................................................................................. 69 NOT BORED BANDSMAN............................................................................... 70 THE OLD DRUMMER ..................................................................................... 70 SAVED BY THE DRUM .................................................................................... 71 METHIL BAND ................................................................................................ 71 METHIL BRASS BAND .................................................................................... 72 A BRAZEN APPRECIATION ............................................................................. 73 TH’ BELLE VUE “SEPTEMBER” ....................................................................... 75 TH’ BELLE VUE “SEPTEMBER” (translation) ................................................... 76 PORTSMOUTH CITY BAND ............................................................................ 77 TH’ GRADLIEST DAY O’ TH’ YEAR ................................................................... 78 TRIBUTE TO DYKE (Black Dyke Band) ............................................................ 79 THE BLACK DYKE ALPHABET .......................................................................... 80 SUGDEN’S FLOUR MILL FIRE (Brighouse & Rastrick Band)............................ 82 THE GREAT BRASS BAND CONTEST (Hade Edge Band) ................................. 83 HONLEY BAND ............................................................................................... 84 HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUNGANNON SILVER BAND ............................................ 86 LLANDUDNO