A history of the Welsh folk song "Ar Lan Y Môr," tracing the print history of the tune and words together, as well as the penillion alone.
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The Bird Song
The history and historical context of the folk song "The Bird Song," also known as "Leather-wing Bat," and "Birds Courting Song." From early literature to ballads to verses collected in the early 1900s.
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A Gloucestershire Wassail Song
Lyrics 1. Wassail, wassail, all over the town,Our toast it is white, and our ale it is brown;Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree,With the wassailing bowl we’ll drink to thee,Drink to thee, Drink to thee,With the was-sail-ing bowl we’ll drink to thee. 2. Here is to Cherry* and to his right cheek,Pray God send my master…
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Deck the Hall – A Comprehensive History – Part 4
Part 3 completed the 1800s. Part 4 covers the 1900s and moves us into the modern era. It is in this time period the “folk song collecting” in Wales began in earnest, particularly with the Welsh Folk-Song Society. We’ll spend a bit of time exploring a wide variety of tunes in the Nos Galan family that illustrate the folk tune…
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Deck the Hall – A Comprehensive History – Part 3
We ended Part 2 at the middle of the 19th century. Part 3 carries us through 1900. Of particular interest is the 1862 version, arranged by John Thomas, with words by Thomas Oliphant – the first time we see the “Deck the hall with boughs of holly” lyrics. Also of note is the 1877 Pennsylvania School Journal version, with the…
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Deck the Hall – A Comprehensive History – Part 2
Continuing the history of the song "Deck the Halls," also known as "Nos Galan." Covering publications and manuscripts from 1800-1850.
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Deck the Hall – A Comprehensive History – Part 1
The origins of the Christmas carol "Deck the Hall." From the old Welsh air "Nos Galan," to modern versions.
