HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 05 Oct 13 - 07:27 AM

He is a Hertford man from way back, despite the Scots accent.

Illogan but they say Illugan.
Selegan is near Redruth.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: breezy
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 01:45 PM

whereszat be then?

and Illugan ?

before I pester MOConn

I'm fine thanks Keith

so you have knuckles and nails on your patch

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 06:40 AM

Seleggan

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 06:28 AM

Bugger I Breezy!
I posted the whole lot further up.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 06:26 AM

Now underground its all the same
As Crofty or Selegan
The dust the dirt the flickering flame
It might just be Illugan
The same old songs are heard again
The tunes the tails, the family names
The stars hear nightingales' refrains
when shining down on Sennen.

New club at the White Horse under Pat Crilly.
2nd and 4th Tuesdays.
How are you keeping?

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: breezy
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 06:12 AM

Hi Keith wussapning in artford thses days?

I've heard Mike sing it a few times, but having utoobed Martyn W-r it has aroused me intrest, maybe cos i spend so much time down there thse days

can anyone clean up parts of the 2nd verse I got Crofty but not the next name of wherever

Shining Down in Sennen please

#66 Bodmin Folk Club

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 04:29 PM

"Ian Stuart from Bakewell wrote in to say that Lamorna Docks in Manchester used to be right next to Manchester's Albert Square."

I live in Manchester - and I'm struggling with this statement at the moment!

Oh yes, 'Lamorna' might have started in Manchester (possibly!? Maybe!!??) but the Cornish are welcome to it!

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 02:54 PM

Well! ye larn summat every day on this site! Manchester eh?

Ye knaah the gay area of Manchester is caalled Canal Street!

Some tinker got up a ladder and chipped the 'C' off of the word 'canal' so mekkin' it 'Anal Street'.

Then somebody else removed the 'S' from 'street' so it now reads 'Anal Treet'

Aah kid yez not!!

Girrupanhevalukk!!

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Scrump
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 09:42 AM

Ahaaaaarrggghhhh, the Cornish pirates have stolen a Lanky song! The wreckers must have caused it to crash onto the reefs and salvaged it as their own, the fiends!

A very interesting thread, and it does indeed look as if the song originated in Lancs, but 'Lamorna' seems to be inextricably linked with Cornwall, and as such conforms to the OP's criteria.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Snuffy
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 09:22 AM

I think it's established beyond all doubt that the original song was about Pomona pleasure gardens in Manchester. Here is Down To Pomona on a 19th century broadside, and if you read the whole of this thread Lyr Req: Down in Albert Square you will see Ian C's journey from believing it of Cornish origin to discovering evidence that it was not.

Although not a native song, it has been adapted and adopted so that it has now acquired Cornish citizenship by naturalisation, just like Little Liza/Little Eyes which originated even further from Cornwall.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 07:18 AM

Merv and Alison Davey (known as Pyba) have a website, www.pyba.co.uk (sorry, can't do blue clickies.) Cornish bard Merv, who plays the harp and bagpipes, has been reviving Cornwall's tradition, its songs and dances, for many years, and both he and Alison are instigators of the marvelous Lowender Peran festival, which takes place in Perranporth every October. Merv's email is up for everybody to see on the website - it's [e-mail]. Give him a try!

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Hawker
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 06:47 AM

I just googled the song and found this which I think is where snuffy got his Lamorna:


'The origins of this song are unclear. Davey thinks it might be a music hall song. The reference to Albert Square certainly makes it post 1840 (when Albert married Victoria) and probably much later. Despite several well-known squares of that name, including a real one in Manchester and a fictional one on the BBC soap opera Eastenders, there is no Albert Square in Penzance or Lamorna. See my Main Cornwall Page for an image of the village of Lamorna. Regardless of its origins, it remains one of the most popular songs in Camborne and the rest of Cornwall.


The Great Lamorna Debate...
Several of you have written in with your thoughts about the song.
Ian Stuart from Bakewell wrote in to say that Lamorna Docks in Manchester used to be right next to Manchester's Albert Square. So it looks as though, in its origins, this is a Manchester song, not a Cornish song.

Mike O'Connor has another theory:

"I have a growing confidence the song was written by the author Charles Lee, who lived in Cornwall from 1900 to 1907 and resided for much of that time in Lamorna. He had a great reputation for writing very clever parodies and light-hearted songs, some for reviews, pantomimes and the like.

Brenda Wooton told me that in the 1950's an old man told her 'I wrote that' after a performance of Lamorna in Newlyn. He was apparently revisiting 'old haunts'. At the time Brenda did not believe the claim, but in later life she suspected it might have been true.

I think the visitor might have been Charles Lee making a farewell visit to Cornwall, knowing his days were numbered.

(By the way, I think the docks in Manchester are called Pomona, not Lamorna. Still, Lee could easily have taken as his starting point a song from Manchester music hall.)"

What are your views? Please write to me with your thoughts and contributions.
info too......'

Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 06:46 AM

No but you will find Pomona and Albert Square.
discussed here

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 06:40 AM

That's news to me! Can't think of anywhere in Manchester (or the North West, come to that) called Lamorna ...?

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 03:52 AM

Larmorna is not really a Cornish song at all.
Manchester I think.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 02:26 PM

"Aah think "Lamorna" is mair tedious than "Camborne Hill""

You may be right, Geordie-P. Cornwall does seem to produce more than its fair share of tedious songs!

All together now! "Gwan oop Camborne 'ill comin' way down in Lamorna" - The End. Thank goodness for that!!

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 04:28 AM

Hal on Tow (?) a truly scarry and mysterious song!

I understand that Padstow Mummers are making a CD of their songs. Has any sen a track listing?

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: GUEST,Keith A o Hertford
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 04:24 AM

Another Mike O'Connor song very popular now is The Geevor Lads.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 03:44 AM

I know a thread were there are more white hairs than there were before because of that story.
LOL

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Little Robyn
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 12:45 AM

And it was probably a white hare.
The Halanto from Helston is a pretty good song.
Robyn

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: BB
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 05:28 PM

Nah, that was in Devon, Tim!

Barbara

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 05:03 PM

When we holidayed over there in the late sixties early seventies I remember an old codger doin' a song/story called the white hair.
I think it was from a traditional local tale.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 01:51 PM

Aah think "Lamorna" is mair tedious than "Camborne Hill"

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 07:19 PM

"I would have said Camborne Hill is one of the most popular Cornish songs."

Not sure I would have chosen the word 'popular' - 'tedious', 'boring', 'silly', 'for-christ's-sake-get-on-with-it-will-it-never-end?', spring to mind. But I suppose "it's all a matter of taste".

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Scrump
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 07:11 PM

I would have said Camborne Hill is one of the most popular Cornish songs.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 06:14 PM

Herga Kittys suggestion of the Cadgwith Anthem seems to have been overlooked and as it is the most popular Cornish song since the 1950s I am surprised.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: GUEST,zbanks
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 03:39 PM

Crikey - Ian Marshall (www.songsofcornwall.com)should have seen this. He`s just released a CD of Cornish music in electronic style. Anyone hear dit?

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: BB
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 05:40 PM

Muddle C, it's to be hoped they don't need them urgently, then!

Barbara

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Exile
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 07:26 PM

wonderful thank you for your help

Kernow bys vykken

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Anglogeezer
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 12:09 PM

For Cornish tunes try here :-
Cornish Tunes
It's just one page of a site about Cornish dance/song/customs

Jake

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Joybell
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 05:38 PM

Keith A. Thank you. My family came from Cornwall to South Australia. What an interesting song.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: MuddleC
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 04:23 PM

What about
'Pasty Duchy on the left-hand side'?

Oi ave a capy of the words somewheresabout,..
. I'll send them yeu direkly

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Little Robyn
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 03:08 PM

Mad4Mud's husband got his pipes almost 5 years ago. He must have mastered them by now or else quit. Have we heard anything of his progress since then?
Robyn

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 01:46 PM

But it's there!
Honest!
Look.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Hawker
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 01:35 PM

As well as Mike O'Connor, as Cats has already said, I can put you in touch with a Cornish piper, Rob Strike, who is also a Music teacher at Launceston College, N. Cornwall. He plays a lot for Gorseth events and the like. He made his own set of Cornish pipes, and is a friendly sort of chap who I am sure can help you out.
Lamorna, White Rose, Trelawney, Camborne Hill, Bodmin Riding, come to mind readily as those The Cornish love to sing.
Mike O'Connor has published several books - one named This Song Sing To You may be worth investing in - and Fooch, which is a book of Cornish tunes, with CD. Also Ilow Kernow.
Are you in Cornwall?
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 12:51 PM

Shining Down On Sennen by Mike O'Connor

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Cats
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 12:45 PM

The very best advice I can give you is to contact Mike O'Connor through the Lyngham House Music website. Not only is he a leading authority on cornish music he has published many books of cornish songs both 'traditional' and from the pens of various members of Cornwall Songwriters, as well as having published books of music which he has researched and found lurking in seriously old manuscipts in the county records office and other sources. Not only does he have a vast archive of Cornish music which he is very happy to share with people, but he's a really nice guy too.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 12:43 PM

From memory.

In Walaroo its mighty fine
In mounta and kadeena
And they remind me of the time
When first i was a streamer
but when at night my eylids close
my mind to far off places goes
The Southern cross its soft light glows
But shining down on Sennon

Now underground its all the same
As Crofty or Sellegan
The dust the dark the flickering flame
It might just be Illogen
The same old songs are heard again
The tunes the tales the family names
The stars hear nightingales refrains
When shining down on Sennon

Now Xmas is the bravest time
we'll sup a pint of tawney
And fiddler Jim will lead the mine
When we sing trelawney
We've sung it all the world around
Where tin and copper may be found
The very stars will hear the sound
When shining down on Sennon

At home the mining gates have closed
Or so says last years letter
Old Redruth town is in bad straights
And poole it is no better
But in my mind I see thm still
As if I'm climbing
Cambourne hill
And high above the stars will still
be shining down on Sennon

Now South Australia's been real good
To cousins Jack and jenny
And many a Cornish lad would say
He's earned a pretty penny
But Jacky this and Jacky that
This cousin Jack would eat his hat
To see the stars that even yet
Are shining down on Sennon.

I have sung it in St Agnes with that village instead of sennon
It fits most of the locations better anyway.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: GUEST,Exile
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 11:45 AM

At dartmoor folk festival heard martin wyndham read sing shining down on sennen

sounded beautiful but would love the lyrics to sing along with it, anyone have them or know where can get them

hope to se you all at wadebridge 2007 for 30th cornwal folk festival

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: The Walrus at work
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 08:26 AM

Can "Heel and Toe"/"Hale And Tow" (whichever you prefer) be played on the pipes?

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Mad4Mud
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 10:23 PM

Great suggestions all! Thanks so much for the help. I think we've got enough to start with now.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: 8_Pints
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 06:25 PM

Perhaps Mervyn Vincent's "Farewell Shanty" might be suitable.

Bob vG

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Mad4Mud
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 02:36 PM

I just wanted to say thank you so far to all who have responded. My husband had to take a co-worker's shift at work today but I'll send him right to this thread when he gets home this afternoon. I'm sure he'll be pleased with what you all have written!

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 02:32 PM

I've just realised that no-one has yet mentioned the Cadgwith anthem (Come, fill up your glasses and let us be merry), or Jon Heslop (though he's an incomer). Of course, if you're playing pipes, it probably doesn't matter whether the words are in English or Cornish.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Kernow John
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 06:43 AM

I should have added that my experience is mainly with the far South West from the Lizard to lands End.
KJ

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Kernow John
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 06:40 AM

Mad4
You can add, Lamorna, The Fox, and The Old Grey Duck.
There is a fresh impetus lately from local Cornish songwriters and many of their songs are now being sung around gatherings and sessions. The folks you are looking for are Roger Bryant (Cornish Lads, I think I've posted words and tune to this)Mike O'Connor (Shining Down on Sennen recorded by Martin Wyndham Reed) Harry Safari (Home for Flora, Song for Cornwall and Newlyn). Most of these songs are being picked up by the local Male Voice Choirs as well as the pub and club singers.
If I can help putting you in touch PM me.

Thanks Herga Kitty for letting me know about this thread.
KJ

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: GUEST,greg stephens
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 06:38 AM

slightly more serious suggestion, Cambourne Hill is very well-known, well loved and playable on bagpipes.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: GUEST,greg stephens
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 06:25 AM

try "where be going to jagger" perfect for pipes, lies neatlywithin an ocatave. and i'm sure you would be the first person in the world to play it on the bagpipes. might become a celtic ambient relaxation classic.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 07:50 PM

A search through the "Digitrad and Forum Search" on the main Forum page for @cornish will get you more than enough to be going on with.

Subject: RE: HELP: Need most popular Cornish songs
From: Mad4Mud
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 07:42 PM

Thanks 8 pints. What I am actually looking for is not bagpipe tunes but the most popular Cornish folk songs, sort of like when Scottish pipers play Robbie Burns songs on their pipes, which are not pipe tunes but are popular and recognizable to Scottish people the world over. I am trying to locate around a half dozen Cornish equivalents to these so as to have a small repertoire to play at Cornish gatherings.

M4M's husband