At Our Session last night Wed/session,
A man sang this lovely I think English song.
Can anyone here tell me what its about and
what time is it referring to,1st world war old older etc..
especially with line's like -
*No young men to turn them or pastures go see (seed)
*There's a fine roll of honor where the Maypole once stood,
*There's a field of red poppies (a gift from the Queen)
Its a lovely song, and I said I would try and find out
for the man who sung it unaccompanied,
and know nothing about the song...Thanks.
jim,,,
'' Dancing At Whitsun.. ''
It's fifty long springtimes since she was a bride,
But still you may see her at each Whitsuntide
In a dress of white linen with ribbons of green,
As green as her memories of loving.
The feet that were nimble tread carefully now,
As gentle a measure as age will allow,
Through groves of white blossoms, by fields of young corn,
Where once she was pledged to her true-love.
The fields they stand empty, the hedges grow (go) free--
No young men to turn them or pastures go see (seed)
They are gone where the forest of oak trees before
Have gone, to be wasted in battle.
Down from the green farmlands and from their loved ones
Marched husbands and brothers and fathers and sons.
There's a fine roll of honor where the Maypole once stood,
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.
There's a straight row of houses in these latter days
All covering the downs where the sheep used to graze.
There's a field of red poppies (a gift from the Queen)
But the ladies remember at Whitsun,
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.
I have a friend who sings this and Normandy Orchards.
All I can find is a quote from the songwriter
Austin John Marshall wrote back in the 60s: "Many of the old ladies who swell the membership lists of Country Dance Societies are 1914-18 war widows, or ladies whomloast fiancees and lovers. Country dancing kept the memory of their young men alive. When Shirley Collis started singing the piece to the tune of The False Bride, the impact was disturbing, for many people in the audience identified with it. Tears were frequent."
They're building a camp on the cornfields at Arlingham, bulldozers churning and changing the land,
Long barbed-wire fences and acres of tarmac Nissen huts raised where the crops used to stand,
Wide-eyed young village-girls giggling and staring, at tanks and transporters that darken the sky,
There's convoys of lorries with fresh faces peering out, so many young men come learning to die.
cho: They say you can still hear the village-hall band,
Grey, ghostly couples still glide round the floor,
But Normandy orchards were waiting to welcome
New partners for death in the mad dance of war.
Mother has started a "comforts committee" but Reverend John's more concerned about sin,
Hughes at The White Swan is rubbing his hands a lot, watching the troops and the profits roll in,
Eager young squaddies with overdone courtesy tipping their caps to the girls going by,
But too soon from school to be licentious soldiery, so many young men come learning to die.
And mother would have a "blue fit" if she knew about Lieutenant Johnson and walks in the wood,
She's laid down the law and she's always gone on about men being beasts, so a girl must be good.
But even she'd laugh at our clumsy propriety, her far too fearful and me far too shy,
She might even pity his lonely bewilderment, one of the young men come learning to die.
And peace came to Arlingham many long years ago, time passing by healed the scars on the land,
Tanks on the village green just a fond memory, now corn grows again where the huts used to stand,
Yet as I walk in the fields on a summer's night, by the trees' edge when the wind starts to sigh,
I still hear their voices all rising in harmony; lost, wasted, young men come learning to die.
You need to hear Shirley Collins singing this on the album Anthems In Eden, on which she is accompanied in a 28-minute song-cycle by the Early Music Consort of London, directed by David Munrow. The Whitsun Dance is the last song sung by Shirley, following which she is abruptly swept away by the Staines Morris. The song cycle is all about how the simplicity and innocence of rural old England was swept away by the first World War. The village maypole is now a cenotaph, sort of thing. I love it to bits, though it's just my bad taste I suppose. I think that song sounds wonderful in that context, rather than being heard in isolation. The cycle contains memorable versions of several other English folk songs, but I won't dwell.
Well, I think these lyrics have a place for an airing on here. All be it a song from the English tradition.
Trust an Irishman to pick out a "good un" to enquire about !!!
Jim,
If you've not come across this one before, I'd be interested in your opinion. This is what the English do well IMHO - all except for me that is, I can't hold a tune with my voice at all - more "sans notes" than "sean nos" in my case !!
ormepipes -
Well I like a song too, In my early day's Sat in Singing session's at Fleadhs listen to, Paddy Tunny, Joe Hohmes, Len Graham, Gabby Mccardle, Mairead Mooney, Rosin White, Many more I never knew the names of,,,
But I like song's of the English Tradition, I have friend's sing stuff like that Liam McKervy and Billy Mull use to have a band Chanter early 70's Co, Antrim..
If there down again at out wed/session I record them for you if they don't mind. I also heard in a session I was at near Dundalk - The Voice Squad Doing stuff like that Wow !
But I love the Folk song's Ralph Vaughan Williams done and those lovely setting's on E.A. Housman...
So I like song's too. If I could only spell there names right it might help - lol.
jim,,,
PS - Loved that song in your link - If only we could keep ''Remembering'' that !
I still sing Whitsun Dance from time to time.
Nothing wrong with it.
John Marshall wrote it at the time he was married to Shirley.
Then later on came Ashley Hutchings, who married her and then told that she couldn't sing ( for toffee ! ). So she stopped. Whatever Ashleys' other actions, that I cannot forgive him for.
Shirley still talks and presents though, and is doing something at the South Bank soon.
Dancing At Whitsun..
Dancing At Whitsun..
At Our Session last night Wed/session,
A man sang this lovely I think English song.
Can anyone here tell me what its about and
what time is it referring to,1st world war old older etc..
especially with line's like -
*No young men to turn them or pastures go see (seed)
*There's a fine roll of honor where the Maypole once stood,
*There's a field of red poppies (a gift from the Queen)
Its a lovely song, and I said I would try and find out
for the man who sung it unaccompanied,
and know nothing about the song...Thanks.
jim,,,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wBuP6bLDcs
'' Dancing At Whitsun.. ''
It's fifty long springtimes since she was a bride,
But still you may see her at each Whitsuntide
In a dress of white linen with ribbons of green,
As green as her memories of loving.
The feet that were nimble tread carefully now,
As gentle a measure as age will allow,
Through groves of white blossoms, by fields of young corn,
Where once she was pledged to her true-love.
The fields they stand empty, the hedges grow (go) free--
No young men to turn them or pastures go see (seed)
They are gone where the forest of oak trees before
Have gone, to be wasted in battle.
Down from the green farmlands and from their loved ones
Marched husbands and brothers and fathers and sons.
There's a fine roll of honor where the Maypole once stood,
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.
There's a straight row of houses in these latter days
All covering the downs where the sheep used to graze.
There's a field of red poppies (a gift from the Queen)
But the ladies remember at Whitsun,
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.
# Posted on February 11th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
I have a friend who sings this and Normandy Orchards.
All I can find is a quote from the songwriter
Austin John Marshall wrote back in the 60s: "Many of the old ladies who swell the membership lists of Country Dance Societies are 1914-18 war widows, or ladies whomloast fiancees and lovers. Country dancing kept the memory of their young men alive. When Shirley Collis started singing the piece to the tune of The False Bride, the impact was disturbing, for many people in the audience identified with it. Tears were frequent."
# Posted on February 11th 2011 by jfother
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
NORMANDY ORCHARDS
(Keith Marsden)
They're building a camp on the cornfields at Arlingham, bulldozers churning and changing the land,
Long barbed-wire fences and acres of tarmac Nissen huts raised where the crops used to stand,
Wide-eyed young village-girls giggling and staring, at tanks and transporters that darken the sky,
There's convoys of lorries with fresh faces peering out, so many young men come learning to die.
cho: They say you can still hear the village-hall band,
Grey, ghostly couples still glide round the floor,
But Normandy orchards were waiting to welcome
New partners for death in the mad dance of war.
Mother has started a "comforts committee" but Reverend John's more concerned about sin,
Hughes at The White Swan is rubbing his hands a lot, watching the troops and the profits roll in,
Eager young squaddies with overdone courtesy tipping their caps to the girls going by,
But too soon from school to be licentious soldiery, so many young men come learning to die.
And mother would have a "blue fit" if she knew about Lieutenant Johnson and walks in the wood,
She's laid down the law and she's always gone on about men being beasts, so a girl must be good.
But even she'd laugh at our clumsy propriety, her far too fearful and me far too shy,
She might even pity his lonely bewilderment, one of the young men come learning to die.
And peace came to Arlingham many long years ago, time passing by healed the scars on the land,
Tanks on the village green just a fond memory, now corn grows again where the huts used to stand,
Yet as I walk in the fields on a summer's night, by the trees' edge when the wind starts to sigh,
I still hear their voices all rising in harmony; lost, wasted, young men come learning to die.
# Posted on February 11th 2011 by jfother
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
jfother
Thanks for this,, I've copied it down for Paul, I don't know his second name,, but he's a fine singer ...
jim,,,
# Posted on February 11th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
You need to hear Shirley Collins singing this on the album Anthems In Eden, on which she is accompanied in a 28-minute song-cycle by the Early Music Consort of London, directed by David Munrow. The Whitsun Dance is the last song sung by Shirley, following which she is abruptly swept away by the Staines Morris. The song cycle is all about how the simplicity and innocence of rural old England was swept away by the first World War. The village maypole is now a cenotaph, sort of thing. I love it to bits, though it's just my bad taste I suppose. I think that song sounds wonderful in that context, rather than being heard in isolation. The cycle contains memorable versions of several other English folk songs, but I won't dwell.
# Posted on February 11th 2011 by Steve Shaw
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
Recorded also by Tim Hart of "Steeleye Span". A song I've always liked, too, Jim.
# Posted on February 11th 2011 by Kenny
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
Yes indeed, Steve. Lets not dwell on folk songs on these pages. I do applaud your recommendation.
# Posted on February 11th 2011 by strayaway
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
"Lets not dwell on folk songs on these pages."
I do not mind a thread like this once in awhile, either.
And I do not think we are in danger of turning into Mudcat.
Not yet.
# Posted on February 11th 2011 by Piece
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
To introduce an Irish dimension to this there is a very good recording of this by Paddy Reilly.
# Posted on February 11th 2011 by Taglione
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
< I do not think we are in danger of turning into Mudcat. >
I am not trying for that -lol. Just thought some of you Trad'y Guys like me , Might have a song or two in your head : )
Thanks folks, thats enough to go on anyway, and very much appreciated.... ALL
jim,,,
# Posted on February 11th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
Well, I think these lyrics have a place for an airing on here. All be it a song from the English tradition.
Trust an Irishman to pick out a "good un" to enquire about !!!
Jim,
If you've not come across this one before, I'd be interested in your opinion. This is what the English do well IMHO - all except for me that is, I can't hold a tune with my voice at all - more "sans notes" than "sean nos" in my case !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyoJn8Ebb7I
# Posted on February 11th 2011 by ormepipes
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
ormepipes -
Well I like a song too, In my early day's Sat in Singing session's at Fleadhs listen to, Paddy Tunny, Joe Hohmes, Len Graham, Gabby Mccardle, Mairead Mooney, Rosin White, Many more I never knew the names of,,,
But I like song's of the English Tradition, I have friend's sing stuff like that Liam McKervy and Billy Mull use to have a band Chanter early 70's Co, Antrim..
If there down again at out wed/session I record them for you if they don't mind. I also heard in a session I was at near Dundalk - The Voice Squad Doing stuff like that Wow !
But I love the Folk song's Ralph Vaughan Williams done and those lovely setting's on E.A. Housman...
So I like song's too. If I could only spell there names right it might help - lol.
jim,,,
PS - Loved that song in your link - If only we could keep ''Remembering'' that !
# Posted on February 12th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
Sorry A. E. Housman ...
I must have been thinking of E.A. Sport's - Its in the Game .. lol
jim,,,
# Posted on February 12th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
I still sing Whitsun Dance from time to time.
Nothing wrong with it.
John Marshall wrote it at the time he was married to Shirley.
Then later on came Ashley Hutchings, who married her and then told that she couldn't sing ( for toffee ! ). So she stopped. Whatever Ashleys' other actions, that I cannot forgive him for.
Shirley still talks and presents though, and is doing something at the South Bank soon.
# Posted on February 12th 2011 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
I've always thought Shirley's singing was uniquely grand.
# Posted on February 12th 2011 by Bob himself
Re: Dancing At Whitsun..
...and last time I tried to sing it I got completely messed up.
Will check through the words again.
# Posted on February 14th 2011 by Guernsey Pete