Category Archives: music

George Thomson, Savior of British Traditional Music

Posted on September 7, 2017 by

“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

“Whiskey in the Jar,” a Traditional Irish Ballad

Posted on July 12, 2017 by

A traditional Irish song, “Whiskey in the Jar,” is about a Rapparee or Highwayman, whose wife/lover betrayed him. It is a widely popular tune that had know a number of professional recordings including: Séamus Ennis, Burl Ives, The Highwaymen, the … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, music, romantic verse, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Posted on June 7, 2017 by

 “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

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

Posted on May 4, 2017 by

“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 , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

18th Century Folk Tune: “English Country Garden”

Posted on April 4, 2017 by

English Country Garden is well known in the United Kingdom, English Country Gardens was originally a Morris tune (that is a tune usually played on the accordion or violin to accompany traditional English Morris dancing).  The tune was collected by … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, music, Napoleonic Wars, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

17th Century Ballad, ‘The Oak and the Ash’ or ‘The North Country Maid’

Posted on March 13, 2017 by

 This familiar song can be found in a black-letter copy also in the Roxburgh Collection. Isla Cameron and Louis Killen sang The Oak and the Ash in 1961 on their Prestige album The Waters of Tyne. It has a familiar … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, ballads, customs and tradiitons, dancing, music | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at, Yorkshire Unofficial Anthem

Posted on January 4, 2017 by

The traditional English folk song, ‘On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at,’comes from the County of Yorkshire, and it is written in Yorkshire dialect. In The Yorkshire Dictionary (Arnold Kellett, 2002) says the dialect used in the song is representative of the area … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, customs and tradiitons, Great Britain, history, legends, music | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments