A Walk Around Britain

Hello.

These are a couple of the songs we have been learning.

Because they are not polished, there are mis-takes, but they are energetic and exciting, we think.

not always neat and pretty

Press More for more…

High Barbary

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The first documented version of this song dates from 1595, and refers to ships named the ‘George Aloe’ and the ‘Sweepstake’.

This version is an updating from the last half of the 18th century, when North African pirates were causing huge problems for English and American shipping.

These problems eventually led to the Barbary Wars of the early 19th Century. North America refused to pay the tributes demanded by North African Barbary states, for safe-passage of their ships.

This song, promoting Anglo/European high-seas success, acts as a piece of pro-government propoganda, convincing would-be sailors and investors that the merchant ships could fight back. Perhaps this indicates to the canny historian that the usual state of affairs was in fact the opposite…

The Parting Glass

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This is a classic farewell for friends. It was here sung with Sam Lee as a third part harmony, in our rained-upon dome house, this winter gone.

It was once allegedly the most popular song in Ireland and Scotland, and dates in its earliest records to 1605, when a verse of the song was written in a letter by one of the Border Reivers, who was executed a year later.

We learned it from a Robin Williamson recording, and we recommend that anyone, hearing it from us as a new song, should refer onwards to Robin’s excellent version.

Thankyou for listening.