Tag Archives: music

Cecil Sharp’s Influence on “Amending the Shades of Pemberley” + a Giveaway

Posted on April 28, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

As with many folk songs, the author and date of origin of “Hush, Little Baby” remain an unknown. The English folklorist Cecil Sharp collected and notated a version of this song found in Endicott, Franklin County, Virginia in 1918, but such simply means the song had been around much longer, passed down from generation to generation, with little changes in it depending on whether one’s ancestors were from Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, or Northwest Europe. Sharp, himself, found a different version with complete lyrics in Micaville, North Carolina. A version recorded by James Madison Carpenter on a wax cylinder in the early 1930s in Durham, North Carolina, can be heard online at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library website. Naturally, that date is well past the time of my story, but Cecil Sharp discovered such songs over and over again. If you have never heard of Sharp, you will be surprised by all he accomplished. Continue reading →

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The Origin of “Humpty Dumpty” + the Release of “Amending the Shades of Pemberley” + a Giveaway

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

The most common version is Humpty Dumpty is a representation of King Richard III of England, who was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. The “egg” shape refers to King Richard supposedly being a “humpback,” as is portrayed in Shakespeare’s play. “Shakespeare called Richard III a ‘hunchback’, which means that he was hunching forward while walking. Richard III’s skeleton actually shows a sideways displacement of the spine, a heavy scoliosis, which made the king walk obliquely. So there is a certain match between the two: something unusual about the body.” (British Council) The “wall” falling is the loss of his reign as king. The king’s horses and men are the army who failed to defeat their enemy Continue reading →

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

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

 “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 , , , , , , | 4 Comments

George Thomson, Savior of British Traditional Music

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

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

Cavalry Trumpet/Bugle Calls in the 18th and 19th Centuries

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Recently, I had an author friend seeking information on cavalry trumpets calls, for she was writing a battle scene. The hero of her tale is in the mounted infantry, and he is on the American front during the War of … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Napoleonic Wars, Regency era, research, war, War of 1812, weaponry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Cavalry Trumpet/Bugle Calls in the 18th and 19th Centuries

Nature and Music and the Importance of the Two in the Rerelease of “Darcy’s Temptation” + a Giveaway

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Most of us would likely agree there is a relationship between music and nature. Listening to a babbling brook, the chirping of birds, and even the silence of snow are all common ingredients to which we can relate. In writing … Continue reading →

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

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

 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 , , , , | 4 Comments

Award Winning Love Songs Just in Time for Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

As we are in the midst of award programs, and it is Valentine’s Day, let’s go back to the songs that made us fall in love. These are some of my LONG-time favorites.  Today, I offer you an “evergreen” post. … Continue reading →

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

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

“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

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

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Regina Jeffers

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