Description
The Ross Workhouse Songbook (Softcover) – Book
By Michael Raven
First Edition, Spring 1996
In the first quarter of the 20th century Cecil Sharp and Vaughuan Williams, under the guidance of Ella Mary Leather, were out and about in Herefordshire collecting traditional songs from country singers. They reaped a rich harvest, nut just in the quantity (Vaughan Williams noted nearly 150 aires) but in quality also. They found version of songs like The Blacksmith, The Lowlands of Holland, Sheffield Park, The Trees They Do Grow High, and numerous carols, which stand in the first rank of English national song. Most of the singers were very old and were amongst the last true, traditional carriers in the country. Many were also very poor and ended their days in the grim bastions of the workhouse at Ross-on-Wye, where Cecil Sharp collected some 45 songs. Nine of the 19 songs in this book are from the Ross Workhouse, and doubtless many of the others were known there.
All the songs, dance tunes and poems in this book have been recorded on a companion CD by Michael Raven and joan Mills with guest appearance by Pat and Roy Palmer. It is called Songs and Dances of Herefordshire, and has a playing time of nearly 80 minutes.
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