Fred Paris is an accordeon diatonique player with the fabulous dance band La Chavannee.

Here's a South Wales song, written on the opening of the Neath and Swansea Canal in the early 1800s. Thw writer was Elizabeth Davies, who kept a lollipop shop in Neath:

Oh could I make verses with humour and wit
George Tennant Esquire's great genius to fit
From morn until even, I'd sit down and tell
And sing in the praise of Neath Junction Canal.

To his noble genius, great merit is due
The increase in traffic he'll daily pursue
Employ to poor labourers, it is known full well
He gave them by making Neath Junction Canal.

Now this will improve the trade of the place
I hope that the business will daily increase
All sorts of provisions we shall have to sell
Conveyed us in boats by Neath Junction Canal.

The work it is finished, and now is complete
And no man did there with an accident meet
Though there was great danger, yet nobody fell
By building the aqueduct on the canal.

All you that are lovers of gazing around
On the grand work of nature where 'tis to be found
Rich woods, pleasant valleys, groves, rocks, hill and dell
You can view as you walk by Neath Junction Canal.

In gazing around you, how pleasant to view
From Dulais to Swansea those objects still new
The ships in full sail you can see see very well
As you walk on the banks of Neath Junction Canal.

The new docks at Swansea will be very grand
For floating the vessels all at their command
Quite safe from all dangers when high tides do swell
To take in their trade from Neath Junction Canal.

I hope when he's dead and laid in his grave,
His soul will in heaven be eternally saved;
It will then be recorded for ages to tell,
Who was the great founder of Neath Junction Canal.

My song it is ended, and now I will rest
In hopes that Squire Tennant will ever be blessed
His goodness to the poor there is no tongue can tell
Or his courage in making Neath Junction Canal.

Mick Tems