Origins: Stixwould Harvest Song

Subject: Origins: Stixwould Harvest Song
From: GUEST,anglo
Date: 22 Jun 13 - 10:05 AM

There are references to this song on Mudcat, including a posting of the lyrics (a search on "Stixwould" brings them up). "Drink Good Ale."

The only source quoted is Bill Whaley & Dave Fletcher, Old Men and Love Songs. As the UK contingent will know, they're from Lincolnshire, which is where Stixwould is.

I don't know what they say about it, as my copy of this CD has gone for a walk. I can listen to the song on my iPod but I can't find the notes, if there are any.

So what is the source? Traditional? Is it a new song? Is there a composer?

Subject: RE: Origins: Stixwould Harvest Song
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Jun 13 - 10:33 AM

Paging Mr. Goldengob..........

Subject: RE: Origins: Stixwould Harvest Song
From: bradfordian
Date: 22 Jun 13 - 10:49 AM

From the CD liner notes:-
"Around 1886 the Rev. J a Penny collected a mere fragment of the song sung to celebrate the end of the harvest. The original tune was lost. Since then the folk process has taken over. Higgledy Piggledy Band colleagues Tom Lane and Dean onyon have, respectively, made a considerable addition to the words and provided a tune setting"

brad

Subject: RE: Origins: Stixwould Harvest Song
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Jun 13 - 11:35 AM

Why didn't I think of that?!
I'll tell Tom he's had a mench on Mudcat!

Subject: RE: Origins: Stixwould Harvest Song
From: Anglo
Date: 23 Jun 13 - 06:11 PM

Thanks, Brad, that's just what I needed to know. Much appreciated.

(I thought I had posted before, but apparently it didn't take. So let's try again.)

Subject: ADD: Stixwould Harvest Song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Jun 13 - 03:21 AM

For the record, here are the lyrics, as posted in another thread:

Thread #62071   Message #1001827
Posted By: gnomad
14-Aug-03 - 08:40 AM
Thread Name: Harvest songs. Any good ones?
Subject: ADD: Stixwould Harvest Song (Drink Good Ale)

I don't know about the church context, I guess it would depend on the attitude of the congregation & minister, but as a harvest song I find this one has a certain appeal (from the singing of Bill Whaley & Dave Fletcher):

Stixwould Harvest Song
STIXWOULD HARVEST SONG (Drink Good Ale)

Drink good ale, drink the barrel dry,
Yonder field is where I've been,
I tore my shirt, and I tore my skin,
But I've got my master's harvest in,
So drink good ale.

Drink good ale, drink the barrel dry,
Harvest in, and harvest home,
The farmer can no longer moan,
We'll get a fat hen, and a bacon bone,
So drink good ale.

Drink good ale, drink the barrel dry,
Farmer, he has got his corn,
It's all well mown, and it's all well shorn,
We work each day from the break of dawn,
So drink good ale.

Drink good ale, drink the barrel dry,
Harvest has come home at last,
It's never turned over, and it's never stuck fast,
It's fuller than ever it was in the past,
So drink good ale.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stixwould Harvest Song
From: OldNicKilby
Date: 24 Jun 13 - 05:12 AM

And Dean Onyon makes exceedingly good Concertinas

Subject: RE: Origins: Stixwould Harvest Song
From: GUEST,RiGGy
Date: 09 Feb 22 - 04:17 PM

https://youtu.be/HhGkvtIetG4