Album review by Patrick Harrington

Steeleye Span - the Early Years

Connoisseur Collection VSOP CD 132 or Cassette VSOP MC 132For those beginning to take an interest in English folk music for the first time this collection is an excellent place to start. These songs of our land are neither dull nor outdated, as some might have you believe. The songs sparkle with humour and wit and speak of common psychological experiences which are as valid in their commentary now as they were then. The English people have suffered form having their identity usurped by the concept of a 'British' one. The Celtic nations have at least been able to retain their identities in opposition, whilst most English people have little knowledge of their culture and history. It would be tragic if there was not a revival of interest in English identity. Through our folk songs we can learn much about the way of life of our ancestors and their system of values. In many songs there is a warning of the danger that city-life can represent to the unwary. The naive countryman - easy prey for sharpers and prostitutes. I am reminded of songs such as Down by the Dark Arches and Ratcliffe Highway. Steeleye Span choose a song where the theme is reversed, known to me as The Bold Cockney but called on this collection Ploughboy and Cockney. In this song a Cockney who tries to chat-up the girl of a ploughboy gets a beating. Another song on the collection where a city-dweller doesn't come off as well as he thought he would in the countryside is The Brisk Young Butcher. This relates the tale of one who offers a deal to the chambermaid of an Inn:-

"One sovereign I will give to you, all to enjoy your charms".

When asked to pay for his lodging, however, he tells the Innkeeper he has already paid the chambermaid. She is forced to hand over the money. Twelve months later he returns to town and stays at the same Inn (a bad move!). The chambermaid sets a baby on his knee with the words:-

"Fine Sir, it is your own,
do not think it strange,
One Sovereign you gave to me,
and here I've brought your change"

Another song with a rather dark sense of humour is Marrowbones which relates the tale of a wife who tries to murder her husband. There was a general belief at one time that ground marrowbones if eaten would induce blindness. Her reasons for this attempted murder are summed up neatly:-

"Now there was an old woman in Ireland,
In Ireland she did dwell,
She loved her husband right dearly
and another man twice as well."

Though the lyric of the song is a sinister one, the tune and expression is one of jaunty, expansive good humour.
The collection has some excellent jigs on it which are guaranteed to get the feet and fingers tapping. One surprising inclusion is a version of Rave On by Buddy Holly! It is a beautiful example of close harmony singing and as such it suits the collection well. My personal favourite has to be The Dark Eyed Sailor although When I Was on Horseback runs a close second. Both these songs are rather sad and wistful - one concerns the death of a sailor at sea leaving his lover alone and the other the death of a young soldier (something it seems we no longer write songs about).

Patrick Harrington
2003