In today’s episode, Lynne Morley and I chat about learning folk songs at school, modal music and the legend of Beowulf. Today’s song is perhaps the ultimate English folk song John Barleycorn and we have a good go at teasing out its origins. Is it an ancient pagan myth, a Christian hymn of death and resurrection or a good old drinking song? We may never know, and perhaps it’s a bit of all three. In any event, we have lots to say about this song we’ve both loved since childhood.

Music

The podcast includes fragments of two songs by Columbines – Bright Morning Star, and Shenandoah. To find out more about Columbines or to book them, please email [email protected] 

Beowulf was written and performed by Lynne Morley.

John Barleycorn was performed by Lynne Morley.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Stones Barn, Cumbria, and the wider Stones Barn community for starting me on this journey and encouraging me along the way. Stones Barn runs fantastic singing and traditional music courses and is always friendly and fun. Find out more at http://stonesbarn.co.uk 

Thank you as always to Steven Shaw for all the encouragement, and for giving this podcast its name.

In our first episode we delve into the mystery of that enigmatic song fragment, Flandyke Shore. Made famous in modern times by the wonderful Nic Jones, this song has a long history going back to the 17th Century, and draws on even older themes.

Handed Down is written, presented and performed by Jenny Shaw.

Thank you to Stones Barn, Cumbria, and the wider Stones Barn community for starting me on this journey and encouraging me along the way. Stones Barn runs fantastic singing and traditional music courses and is always friendly and fun. I’m not affiliated with them and they don’t pay me to say this, I just like them and want to share the love! Find out more at http://stonesbarn.co.uk 

Thank you as always to Steven Shaw for all the encouragement, and for giving this podcast its name.

Music

The recording of Flandyke Shore is based on the version by Nic Jones on his album Penguin Eggs.

The music accompanying the 17th Century sections of the story is an original arrangement based on the tune The Rich Merchantman which can be found here: https://abcnotation.com/tunePage?a=www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/Olson/BM3.ABC/0093

The song Mill of Tifty’s Annie (Andrew Lammie) is traditional and my recording is influenced by the versions of several artists including Iona Fyfe and Martin Simpson.

Other references

The Unnatural Mother: http://ebba.ds.lib.ucdavis.edu/ballad/21738/image 

An analysis of Flanders Shore: https://www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/ballads/LyCr2090.html

Flandyke Shore on the Mainly Norfolk website: https://mainlynorfolk.info/nic.jones/songs/theflandykeshore.html

Origins of Flandyke Shore discussed on Mudcat Café: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=13405

Handed Down is launching soon! Here's what we've got in store...