Ewan MacColl was born on 25 January 1915 at 4 Andrew Street, Salford where his parents were living in rented rooms. He died on 22 October 1989 in the Royal Brompton Hospital, London from a heart attack; Peggy Seeger and all his children were with him as he told them "the soldiers have come to the shore of my body."* Had Ewan lived he would have been 96 today.

From among the many songs which Ewan sang and wrote here are a few with a very personal touch.

Firstly, here is Ewan singing his moving song for his father:- My Old Man.

Secondly, here's Peggy singing the beautiful love song which he apparently improvised over a transatlantic telephone line for her, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.

Thidly, here is the only You Tube clip I can find featuring Ewan's song for the most important woman in his life, his mother Betsy:- Nobody Knew She Was There. Terry Whelan used to sing this, and I once heard Annie Dearman sing it in a way that found all the sweetness and sadness which Ewan had put into it. The words are in the DT here.

Finally, how better to celebrate Ewan's life than to join with him in The Joy of Living?

Happy Birthday Ewan.

Matthew

* As told to Ewan's biographer, Ben Harker, by Calum MacColl.