I don’t know if the ‘experts’ have come up with a definition of ‘folk music’ yet, but I reckon a large part of it is people providing their own entertainment. There are two parts to that – the performers and the audience, and in a pub / folk club / session that’s normally quite noisy on both sides. However, on Thursday March 30th in Bungay’s St Mary’s church, the lunchtime audience was used to a concert ambience and there was an eerie silence during the playing of Alex Bartholomew (violin) and Alan Helsdon (accordion), and the singing of Shirley Harry. No matter. The up side was no heckling from the drunks at the bar!
The programme consisted entirely of song tunes noted by Ralph Vaughan Williams in Norfolk and Suffolk – an expanded version of the lunchtime music at the November Conference “Vaughan Williams in the East” run by EATMT. The melodies were grouped into 2’s or 3’s and played as a kind of medley or mini suite, but every tune was played in full as noted on the day it was sung nearly 120 years ago. The arrangements were for variety and to accentuate the character of the melodies.
There were some fascinating contrasts too; the liveliness of the jigs Irish Girl and Polly Oliver; the solemnity of Broad-striped Trousers played as a majestic hymn tune; the poignancy of Geordie and the sheer beauty of Ashwicken Farewell ( the tunes to My Bonny Boy and Young Girl Cut Down) played on solo fiddle by our esteemed, versatile Administrator.
Shirley Harry’s voice made full use of the church’s acoustics as she sang to a captivated and delighted audience too.
The two elements of folk music seemed to enjoy the hour, and the music fitted into the ethos of the series of concerts organised by Artistic Fields. It was a different celebration of RVW’s 150th birthday but one that smoothly bridged the gap between Horning Ferry Inn and an Edwardian Parlour.
AH, April 2023
Programme
Liverpool Play – Wealthy Farmer – Lancashire Farmer
(Alex & Alan)
Liverpool Play Roud 690 Collected in Rollesby, Norfolk on 26th October 1910 from George Lock
Wealthy Farmer Roud 1061 Collected in Acle Bridge, Norfolk on 15th April 1908 from Walter Debbage
Lancashire Farmer Roud 2637 Collected in South Walsham, Norfolk on 11th April 1908 from Tom Hilton
Erin’s Lovely Home – Van Dieman’s Land
(Alan)
Erin’s Lovely Home Roud 1427 Collected in King’s Lynn, Norfolk on 10th January 1905 from John Chesson
Van Dieman’s Land Roud 519 Collected in King’s Lynn, Norfolk on 13th/14th January 1905 from Thomas Donger
Isle of France – Barbry Ellen – Green Lanes
(Alex & Alan)
Isle of France Roud 1575 Collected in Southwold, Suffolk on 24th October 1910 from Ben Hurr
Barbry Ellen Roud 54 Collected in Kersey, Suffolk on 31st August 1907 from Mr Ansell
Green Lanes Roud V16281 Collected in Hadleigh, Suffolk on 3rd September 1907 from Jake Willis
The Blacksmith
(Shirley)
The Blacksmith (A Blacksmith Courted Me) Roud 816 Collected in Herongate, Essex on 16th February 1906 from Mr Bell. Shirley sung the version he collected from Mrs Powell in Herefordshire from his collecting in 1909.
Basket of Eggs – Lovely on the Water – Turkish Lady
(Alex & Alan)
Basket of Eggs Roud 377 Collected in Rollesby, Norfolk on 25th October 1910 from George Lock
Lovely on the Water Roud 1539 Collected in South Walsham, Norfolk on 11th April 1908 from Tom Hilton
Turkish Lady Roud 8124 Collected in Hickling, Norfolk on 18th April 1908 from “Pete”
My Bonny Boy – Young Girl Cut Down
(Alex & Alan)
My Bonny Boy Roud 293 Collected in King’s Lynn, Norfolk on 14th January 1905 from William Harper
Young Girl Cut Down Roud 2 Collected in Tilney All Saints on 8th January 1905 from John Whitby
Irish Girl – Polly Oliver
(Alex & Alan)
Irish Girl Roud 308 Collected in Filby, Norfolk on 25th/26th October 1910 from George Gorble
Polly Oliver Roud 367 Collected in Ranworth, Norfolk on 17th April 1908 from Walter ‘Skipper’ Debbage
The Seven Virgins
(Shirley)
The Seven Virgins (Under the Leaves, The Leaves of Life) Roud 127, Collected several times but this version Shirley sang from the singing of Mrs Angelina Whatton, Herefordshire in October 1908.
Broad Striped Trousers – Geordie – Egglestone Hall
(Alex & Alan)
Broad Striped Trousers Roud 427 Collected in Hadleigh, Suffolk on 3rd/4th September 1907 from Jake Willis
Geordie Roud 90 Collected in Southwold, Suffolk on 25th October 1910 from Mr Newby
Egglestone Hall Roud 383 Collected in Hadleigh, Suffolk on 1st September 1907 from Mr Warner
An audio recording of this recital can be heard HERE.