To download song lyrics, click here
Short samples from the following tracks are available to download:
"Saint
Monday",
our latest CD is now available!
To Mail Order, Click Here
We are especially pleased with this CD, for its live and personal feel,
and a notable Derbyshire focus, interspersed with other English songs,
and European tunes
"Saint Monday" Track Listing:
The Nailer's Song -
A snapshot history of the nail makers of Belper in
Derbyshire pre the Industrial Revolution. From the inspired pen of Jim Boyes, our version tells their story to a new rhythm and
instrumentation, one of their traditions lending its name to the title
of this CD. Click the link for a short sample from this track -
RealMedia -
MP3.
Bonny Cate - An increasing interest in the music of Derbyshire has
led us to research and perform more such songs and tunes. Bonny Cate is
one such tune taken from the "Ashover" collection, a book of music and
associated dances which formed part of the repertoire of a local
musician Joseph Harrison, around 1762. The dance is unusual, and quite
complex (triple-minor), possibly being for display rather than social
dances.
All Things are Quite Silent - If "The Lowlands of Holland" tells a press-gang story
from a luckless sailor's point of view, this charming tale of optimism
from the "Penguin Book of English Folk Songs", gives the woman's
perspective.
The Great Derby Foot Race
- "A new song on the great Foot Race that was contested
on the London Road, near Derby, on the 18th day of March 1822, betwixt
Jas. Wantling of Derby, and Shaw, the Staffordshire Hero for two hundred
Guineas" (From Ballads and Songs of Derbyshire - Llewellynn Jewett
1867). A rip-roaring sporting tale set to music by Colin Cater.
The Beggin' - A version from "Songs of England, Ireland and Scotland"
which, while light hearted and cheery on the outside, hints at the
darker side of the life. The original tune here is intertwined around a
chilling Playford piece called "Kettledrum".
Fill Every Glass/Les Vingerons
- Taking a song from "The Beggar's Opera" by John Gay
(1729) which sings to the glory of wine, Doug scribed a new verse to the
glory of music. Since the music was originally the tune for a French
Carol, it seemed appropriate in all ways to couple this song with a Bourree from Central France with the choice title of "Les Vignerons" -
the vine growers. Salut!
The Derby Miller - An old miller on his death bed tries to find a suitable
replacement among his sons, a process that reveals a lot about their
personal character! The original words for this were taken from Topic's
"Voice of the People" collection, our version is re-written and set to a
new tune. Included in the arrangement is another Playford tune aptly
named "The Dusty Miller" - the coincidence was just too rich to pass up.
Click the link for a short sample from this track -
RealMedia -
MP3
Seeing Red/The Bull Run
- After experiencing the running of the bulls at a Fiesta
in the Spanish village of Orba, Sarah penned "Seeing Red", presenting
the event from the bull's point of view. If it were a scoring game, I
would have to say that the bulls have it one-nil by the end of the day!
"The Bull Run" is a tune styled to reflect the atmosphere of a village
bull run in Spain (or Stamford in Lincolnshire apparently...)
Derrière les Carreaux/Moninette
- Two dance tunes from Central France, the first by
clarinet and diatonic accordeon Maestro Frederic Paris, the second
learned from the "Encyclopaedia Blowzabellica" - where it is called "New
Schottische No1".
Fourpence a Day - Evidence of the proliferation of lead mining is clearly
visible around the Derbyshire countryside, but the life was a hard one.
Sarah learned "Fourpence a Day" at a Whitby Festival song swap and felt
an instant affinity with the theme, although this song actually hails
from Teesdale. With a new tune and time signature, the Derbyshire
version was born.
