Lyr Req: Lost Gardeners of Heligan (Heslop)

Subject: Lyr Req: Helligan & the Somme
From: GUEST,Richard
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 03:21 PM

A decade or so ago, whilst visiting Uncle Geoff in Padstow, he played me a haunting tune on a cassette tape, a recording of a Radio Cornwall programme. The lyrics went something like 'there are orchids still in Helligan but Poppies at the Somme.' The song is about the men of Mevagissey who went to fight in WWI and left the Tremayne Estate Gardens to lie untouched until the early 90s. Can anyone point me in the direction of tune, lyrics, composer and performer? I barely remember the song but I remember the hair going up on the back of my neck and the lump in my throat. Any leads would be appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Helligan & the Somme
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 03:51 PM

It comes from the Cornwall Songwriters show, Lost Gardens of Heligan.
http://www.thecornishstore.com/shopp583315671

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Helligan & the Somme
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 04:07 PM

Er, Unsung Heroes, The Lost Gardeners Of Heligan.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Helligan & the Somme
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 04:07 PM

The show was "Unsung Heroes". Or you could PM Hawker, Crowdercref or Cats, who were all in the show....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Helligan & the Somme
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 04:09 PM

Sorry Richard, have realised you need to be a Mudcat member not a guest before you can send PMs... Keith's link should get you there, anyway!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Helligan & the Somme
From: GUEST,BeeDee
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 05:01 PM

Also available d'rec'ly from source, here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Helligan & the Somme
From: Hawker
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 07:41 PM

Richard, there is, as well as a cd, a book of the script of the show which has the words and music. BeeDees link to Lyngham House Music should sort you out.
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Helligan & the Somme
From: GUEST,Richard
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 10:50 AM

Many Thanks All,
I'm on the case and will be playing it soon.
Very excited.
Richard

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Helligan & the Somme
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Nov 21 - 05:26 PM

The Lost Gardeners of Heligan
By John Heslop

Don't come here to sleep or slumber
Those who slumber now elsewhere
With their comrades without number
Forever sleeping over there

We didn't mean to stay so long
We never meant to tarry yonder
There's fruit to pick, the weeds grow strong
There's trees to fell and saw asunder

Now you're only old grafiti
Pencilled names on plastered walls
Ranged in rows and written neatly
A written memory to all

We only meant a bit of fun'
'We never meant to stay forever'
In the long hot summer sun
The work goes on. It ceases never

In a heart two names are twining
August 1914 's love
David left his Charlotte pining
And is it her that he dreams of?

'We didn't mean to leave you crying
'We never meant to leave Love true'
Now the trees are fallen, dying
David fell and died for you

Lost for years in briar and nettle
Rows of disembodied names
Broken cups and rusted kettles
Are waiting for those hands again

We never meant to grow red poppies
Redder than the pain that burned
men from flower and fruit and coppice
men of soil to soil returned

from Anne Coleman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lost Gardeners of Heligan (Heslop)
From: GUEST,maeve
Date: 08 Nov 21 - 06:08 PM

Joe, I believe it is Jon, not John.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lost Gardeners of Heligan (Heslop)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Nov 21 - 06:28 PM

Yeah, I'll correct it later. What I posted was copied from the Singaround chat.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lost Gardeners of Heligan (Heslop)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Nov 21 - 07:56 PM

The garden is about an hour's drive from us. We've been many times. The restoration was a monumental feat. If you go in mid- to late spring you're treated to magnificent displays of rhododendrons and camellias. It's a fantastic day out, and the history is by no means overlooked. The ancient glasshouses, the pineapple pit and the huge walled garden have been fully restored to their former glory and are used now the same as they were before WW1. The lower "jungle" part of the garden is a magnificent valley of lakes, superb trees and forests of tree ferns.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lost Gardeners of Heligan (Heslop)
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 09 Nov 21 - 04:12 AM

Well described, I love it too. It's the walled garden for me. There are DVD's available, if you have been unable to make the journey.