Category Archives: music

Origin of a Sea Shantie: “What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?”

Posted on May 5, 2021 by reginajeffers

“What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?” was a work song, mainly sung on ships with a large number of crewmen. According to Song Facts, it is one of the oldest Anglo-Saxon sea shanties, one sung by the Indiamen … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, British Navy, music, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Men of Harlech (Rhyfelgyrch Gwŷr Harlech), a Welsh Military March

Posted on March 1, 2021 by reginajeffers

 “Men of Harlech” (Rhyfelgyrch Gwŷr Harlech) is a traditional military march and is said to chronicle the seven-year long siege of Harlech Castle in the 1460s. The incident is considered the longest known siege in British history. The garrison was commanded … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, film, legends, military, music, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Christmas Carols Jane Austen Might Have Known, a Guest Post from Jann Rowland

Posted on December 11, 2020 by reginajeffers

This post originally appeared on Austen Authors in December 2016. I thought you might enjoy it, given the time of the year.  As anyone who knows me will attest, I love music, and I also love Christmas. But while do … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, Living in the Regency, music | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Christmas Carols Jane Austen Might Have Known, a Guest Post from Jann Rowland

Finding Sheet Music During the Regency Era

Posted on June 17, 2020 by reginajeffers

Although quite expensive, sheet music was readily available during the Regency era. Many a person subscribed to services offered by music publishers, among the Schirmer, the most well known of the time. Sheet music was produced for subscribers in bound … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Jane Austen, music, Napoleonic Wars | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Finding Sheet Music During the Regency Era

The Origins of the “Irish” Ballad, “Danny Boy”

Posted on November 25, 2019 by reginajeffers

Okay, I admit it. “Danny Boy” is one of my favorite songs, but it is not because I am Irish (which I am, for I have strong Irish roots in my ancestral tree). I simply think that the melody of … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, history, Ireland, music, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

George Thomson, Savior of British Traditional Music

Posted on February 25, 2019 by reginajeffers

“The Maid of Llanwellyn” is a Welsh song of love in which the girl admits she has no care for whether her lover is rich or not. From Contemplator [You may listen to the music on this site.] we learn, “This … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, Georgian Era, music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Tradition of “Christmas Carols”

Posted on December 17, 2018 by reginajeffers

Parts of this post were originally featured on Austen Authors, brought to us from Rebecca Jamison. I have added to what she shared and offer more of the history of the Christmas Carols than she did in her original post, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Christmas, music, tradtions | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

“Deck the Hall” with Music and History

Posted on December 3, 2018 by reginajeffers

I recently attended the local Christmas Parade for our rural community. You can keep your Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, for there is nothing better than watching young children scrambling for candy thrown by the various floats. Young, shining face, full … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, history, medieval, music, Scotland, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Welcoming Jennifer Redlarczyk and Her Release of “A Very Merry Mix-up”

Posted on March 28, 2018 by reginajeffers

 Today I welcome a dear friend of this blog and of Austen Authors. Jennifer Redlarczyk, who is releasing a novelette as a prelude to her first novel, Darcy’s Melody, which will arrive soon.  Austen fans are in for a real … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, excerpt, film adaptations, Georgian England, Guest Post, historical fiction, Jane Austen, legends and myths, Living in the Regency, music, Pride and Prejudice, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 58 Comments

Ben Jonson’s “Song to Celia” ~ The Poem You Did Not Know Was a Song

Posted on January 2, 2018 by reginajeffers

 One of my favorite love songs comes to us from the poet Ben Jonson. According to Poets.org, “The poet, essayist, and playwright Ben Jonson was born on June 11, 1572 in London, England. In 1598, Jonson wrote what is considered his … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, literature, love quotes, music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments