What songs for St. George's Day?

Subject: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Brakn
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 05:10 AM

One of my local pubs is having a St. George's Day celebration. What songs would suit? What songs would you call English that everyone will know? The average man in the street doesn't usually know any folk songs so I'm after all types of songs.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,greg stephens
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 05:36 AM

"Oh where is St George Oh where is he now"..The Padstow May Song. Which explains in a nutshell why the English dont really celebrate St Georges Day. All the frolicking this time of year was cocentrated on May Eve/May Day activity which is only a week later.If you're going for full-on outdoor activities (one of which at least is even more fun than morris dancing) you're going to go for Mayday. hence thetraditional songs for May mention St George, it's the closest you're going to get.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 08:16 AM

"The New St George" by Richard Thompson

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: IanC
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 08:39 AM

How about "Puff, the magic dragon"?

;-)
ian

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Snuffy
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 08:55 AM

I'll be singing Spanish Ladies (we'll rant and we'll roar like true British sailors) and The Mermaid (the Rule Britannia version), amongst others.

And Jerusalem will almost certainly be sung at some stage.

Then there's always Flanders and Swann:
The English, the English, the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 09:22 AM

According to the radio it should be 'Jerusalem' (not a menion of George, last time I sang it.....) or 'I vow to thee, my country' which at least has the merit of being based on a folk tune 'Thaxted', "adapted" to Jupiter or whichever one it was by Holst.

LTS

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 01:27 PM

Ah yes Jerusalem! Imagine my dismay when I moved North only to discover not a windmill in sight!!! Not even a pale angelic one ;-)

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: breezy
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 03:49 PM

a place called er.....

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 04:33 PM

You could pick some from this site
Royal Society of St George

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: tremodt
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 10:31 PM

Pouf the magic dragon

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Bert
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 12:57 AM

I'd sing "Woad"!

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 03:52 PM

Please not A Place Called England, breezy, its very unkind to the dear old place.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Gareth
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 07:02 PM

Censored on the grounds that it would disturb the Queens Peace

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 02:21 AM

In our St George's Day Singaround at Wigan Folk Club on Tuesday, I sang "Hail St George" (tune: The Red Flag, with new words written in 1997 by Monologue Joe); "Sons of the Sea" (the original stirring Felix McGlennon song, not the adulterated "Bobbing up and down like this" that seems to be popular these days); Maggie Holland's "A Place Called England"; and "St George Our Protector" (from Minstrelsy of England). And a good and patriotic time was had by all...

Joan

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Bert
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 03:22 AM

Well said Gareth, I commend you upon your restraint.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Fred Lloyd
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 09:45 PM

I know it's after the event - but likewise I had a pub booking(first ever St George's Day celeb!), and my cobbled together list was this: St George's Day 1st half 1 Rule Brittania 2 Saga of Maggie May 3 Flanagan & Allen 4 Foggy Foggy Dew 5 Scarborough Fair 6 Formby Medley 7 Drink Old England Dry 8 Any Old Iron Medley 9 Girl I Left Behind 10 Tattooed Lady 11 Pal Of My Cradle Days 12 Friends Medley 13 Together Medley 14 London Medley 15 Let The Rest of the World Go By 16 Off In A Motor Car 17 Nostalgia Medley 18 Henery the Eighth 2nd half 1 Land of Hope & Glory 2 Mad Dogs & Englishmen 3 White Cliffs Of Dover 4 British Grenadiers 5 That Old Fashioned Mother 6 My Brother Sylveste 7 Bless 'Em All Medley 8 Barrel Medley 9 Leaning On A Lamp 10 Singing In The Bathtub 11 Let Me Call You Sweethrt Med 12 Wartime Medley 13 In My Liverpool Home 14 Sailor 15 Ain't No Pleasin' You(for the desenting voices!)

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 06:49 PM

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 05:51 AM

Does anyone know whether John Kirkpatrick has recorded the song he wrote about St. George which includes the chorus:

'And on my breast a red, red rose,
The flower of old England wherever she goes'?

Many thanks,

Valmai, Lewes

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 05:54 AM

I don't know whether John's recorded it, but it's on the new Waterson:Carthy album, Holy Heathens and the Old Green Man. Martin sings lead.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: DMcG
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 05:55 AM

I don't know about John, but it's on the latest Waterson's CD (Holy Heathens and the Old Green Man)

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: DMcG
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 05:55 AM

Damn, Terry just beat me to it!

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 06:13 AM

With near identical wording!

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Scrump
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 07:27 AM

How about Roots by Steve Knightley?

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: muppitz
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 07:27 AM

If you can't find one suitable, do what I did and write one!
There aren't nearly enough about St George IMHO!

muppitz x

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 07:43 AM

What about Hard Times In Old England.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Jock
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 08:15 PM

Flower of Scotland

or what about the 'other' verse in the National Anthem:

Lord, grant that Marshal Wade,
May by thy mighty aid,
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush and like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush,
God save the King

'nuff said!

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 08:37 PM

If you've run into Metric Foot, East Anglian Folk and folk dance group, they have a song for St Georges day, Rise Again, kicking about somewhere.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 12:45 PM

Many thanks for everyone's helpful info and suggestions.


Valmai, Lewes

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 01:28 PM

Battle of Bosworth field, which is a song about king richard the third[the last of the plantagenets].
Rise up jock.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 07:44 PM

And you can't leave out Hey There, Georgie Girl...

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: brooko
Date: 23 Apr 10 - 02:59 PM

does anyone have the lyrics for st george by the watersons
brooko

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 24 Apr 10 - 03:06 PM

I might suggest the Troparion of St. George. That's the one some of us sing. St. George was born in Beirut, Lebanon, served in the Roman army and was martyred under the emperor Diocletian AD 303. His story was picked up by the Crusaders.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 Apr 10 - 05:14 PM

I still have the programme of a St George's Day concert we did in Debenham, Suffolk on 23rd April 1986. There are 33 items, so I'll just give you some of my favourites (and the ones I can remember now!)
The british Grenadiers
The Lincolnshire Poacher
A cottage well thatched with straw
Home Sweet Home
Drink to me Only
Early one morning
Blow the wind southerly
Hearts of oak
The Mermaid
Oh no John
Widdecombe Fair
The Lass of Richmond Hill
Cherry Ripe
The Drummer and the Cook
Pretty Polly Oliver
O peaceful England
The Yeomen of England
There'll always be an England
There is a tavern in the town
Rule Britannia to finish up with!

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Allan
Date: 24 Apr 10 - 05:28 PM

"Rule Britannia to finish up with!"

A song celebrating Britain with words written by a Scot! I'd have thought sentiments either specifically about England or at least written by Englishmen would be more appropriate?

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 Apr 10 - 04:41 AM

Having enjoyed many St Patrick's Day events we followed their lead and sang lots of English songs and anything else that took our fancy.

As St George was possibly Palistinian / Syrian / Lebonese / Cappadocian ....... erm pick one you like, who fought in the Roman army and saw about as many dragons as the rest of us and don't think he would mind what we sang.

But in th e spirit of St Patrick, apprantley from Wales, a grand time was had

L in G# and often Ab

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Allan
Date: 25 Apr 10 - 02:02 PM

"But in th e spirit of St Patrick, apprantley from Wales,"

Aye he certainly seems to have been a Briton but I don't think they know for sure whereabout he came from. Wales claims him but so does Cumbria and Strathclyde.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 08:15 PM

The music for "Rule, Britannia" was written by the English composer Thomas Augustine Arne (1710-1778) and performed for the first time in his masque Alfred in the presence of Frederick Prince of Wales. The performance took place on the parterre of Cliveden House in 1740, which at that time, was leased to the Prince of Wales. The words were written by the Scottish pre-Romantic poet James Thompson (1700-1748) author of The Seasons (1726-30).

OK Allan, disnae bather me, and I didnae choose the list onyweys!

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,David Brent
Date: 08 Apr 15 - 12:27 PM

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Thompson
Date: 08 Apr 15 - 01:14 PM

Avignon claims Patrick too - Chateauneuf du Pape used to be called Clos Saint Patrice, and indeed may still be in some marques. The story is that it's made from vines originally planted by Patrick, who they say was a local boy. I suppose civil servants do get reposted, even in the Roman Empire; wasn't his unfortunate father a taxman?

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 08 Apr 15 - 01:40 PM

God Save the Queen, by John Lydon and others

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 08 Apr 15 - 01:44 PM

V3 of UK Nat Anthem.....

"Lord, grant that Marshal Wade,
May by thy mighty aid,
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush,
and like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush,
God save The King."

;-)

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Apr 15 - 01:47 PM

Song of the bow by Arthur Conan Doyle. Friend of mine wrote a tune for it but you can find your own! :-)

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 08 Apr 15 - 02:23 PM

England Swings!!!!

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: WindhoverWeaver
Date: 09 Apr 15 - 04:56 AM

Funny that no-one has mentioned that St. George was actually not English, and never even came near here (there's one in the eye for the National Front/EDF xenophobic types!). He was born in Lydda, Syria Palaestina, which is now Lod in Israel. Thus any Syrian or Israeli song would be more appropriate.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Apr 15 - 05:21 AM

Les in Chorlton mentioned it 5 years ago! :-)

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Brakn
Date: 09 Apr 15 - 05:28 AM

Time flies Dave.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 09 Apr 15 - 05:29 AM

St George (Smith) was English! Lived in Gloucestershire! http://www.glosfolk.btck.co.uk/TheLegendoftheDeerhurstDragon

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: WindhoverWeaver
Date: 09 Apr 15 - 08:56 AM

Apologies to Les for missing that (and thanks Dave for correcting me)! All I can say is this is a longish thread and I scanned rather than read it all completely. Mea culpa.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Apr 15 - 10:16 AM

Fully forgiven WW :-) I must say I would have missed it but I had vague recollections of some such being said in the past and just searched for 'Syria'.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 09 Apr 15 - 12:19 PM

Roast Beef Of Old England

http://mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=6905

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 15 - 04:24 AM

"Green Grow My Nadgers, O"

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: LadyJean
Date: 10 Apr 15 - 10:09 PM

You could sing something in Spanish. St. George is the patorn saint of Barcelona.
(I collect St. George and the Dragon,)

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 Apr 15 - 04:49 AM

"Oak & Willow" - halfway down words and MP3

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 14 Apr 15 - 08:28 PM

The Grumpy Old Men of Old England, by John Conolly - find it on YouTube!

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 14 Apr 15 - 09:45 PM

Guest DTM: V3 of UK Nat Anthem.....

It's never actually been part of the national anthem at all. It was a doggerel verse written in the 1740s around the time of the Jacobite rebellion.

It's often trotted out by Scots as "proof" that the UK sees Scotland as subservient to England, but it's just one of many doggerel "verses" that were sung by various groups pursuing their own agendas, but which were never formally part of the actual anthem. The Jacobite version went:

God bless the prince, I pray
God bless the prince, I pray
Charlie I mean.
That Scotland we may see Freed
From vile Presbyt'ry
Both George and his Feckie
Ever so, Amen.

Subject: Lyr Add: SAINT GEORGE (John Kirkpatrick)
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 15 Apr 15 - 02:48 AM

Back in 2007 Valmai, Terry and DMcG briefly discussed John Kirkpatrick's Saint George.

Here's a link to a page on Mainly Norfolk with the lyrics to St George and a video of John performing it:
St George

LFF

St George (John Kirkpatrick)

Now I am Saint George, I'm a champion bold,
And over old England my flag I'll unfold.
My sword fights for justice, with truth for my shield,
And when I come riding I never shall yield.

Chorus (after each verse):
And on my breast a red, red rose,
The flower of England wherever she grows.

I fought with the dragon and brought it to shame,
I was killed seven times but I still fought again.
I was killed seven times but it did me no ill
If the battle be true then I'll fight again still.

In the cause of all freedom my banner shall wave,
The oppressed and downtrodden my sword it shall save.
In the righting of wrongs I never shall tire
That the weak become strong is all my desire.

I'll watch o'er your horses, your house and your land,
And if you have none, still your friend I will stand.
I'll strengthen your courage for all you hold dear
To vanquish all doubt and banish all fear.

Now be sure in your heart if you call on my name
For I fight with the fury of fire and flame.
Any lies or deceit to a cinder I'll burn
And once you invoke me I never shall turn.

For I have the power to pierce to the heart,
I strike like the lightning, I can tear you apart.
On hoof-beats of thunder over England I'll ride,
What foe can defy you with me by your side?

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 15 Apr 15 - 03:04 AM

Erdelezi. The Wikipedia article on this song says, ""Ederlezi" is a popular traditional folk song of the Romani minority in the Balkans.

"The song got its name from Ederlezi which is a Spring festival, especially celebrated by Romani people in the Balkans, Turkey and elsewhere around the world. This holiday celebrates the return of springtime. Ederlezi is the Romani name for the Bulgarian, Macedonian and Serbian Feast of Saint George."

There are some nice recordings on YouTube (but when I tried to post this with a link earlier today, it vanished into the ether, so now I'm trying it without the link).

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Stu
Date: 15 Apr 15 - 08:00 AM

Some more contemporary stuff I always thought would work well acoustically:

Raining Again by Steve Knightly
This is England - The Clash
English Curse - Frank Turner (unaccompanied anyway)
Shipbuilding - Robert Wyatt
Oh England my Lion Heart - Kate Bush
Northern Sky - Nick Drake
Wild Wood - Paul Weller
Dirty Old Town - everyone

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Gazza2
Date: 15 Apr 15 - 12:23 PM

Always supported Saint Edmund myself. Raise the white dragon!

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 25 Apr 20 - 05:29 AM

St George and the Dragon - Arthur Marshall
(or 'There ain't no dragons')

George and the dragon meet for tea in Claridges,,,

Some great lines in it
If only the coffee hadn't been quite so cafeinated
And the steak knives on the table weren't so seriously serrated,,,
but it's got a more serious message too.

https://youtu.be/darWDtgU34w

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: rich-joy
Date: 25 Apr 20 - 09:50 PM

“St George” is of course, venerated in many countries and though these two St George’s Day songs are not in the English language, they are cracking good songs to sing!

Guest, Gerry has already mentioned the Romani song “Erdelezi” (aka “Sao Roma”) and here is one of the many versions available on YT :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2snXlHJIe4

Another is the Croatian song “Lepi Juro” and here is a version from YT :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EOXlLaoNb4
(sadly, the male musicians seated below the singing ensemble of women look somewhat bored and unimpressed, LoL!! :)

Cheers!
R-J

Subject: Lyr Add Ederkezi (Roma St George's Day song)
From: Felipa
Date: 03 Sep 21 - 09:02 PM

here are Ederlezi lyrics with translation
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/Ederlezi-St-Georges-Day.html

Goran Bregovic recording

Lyrics in Romani

Sa me amala oro khelena
Oro khelena, dive kerena
Sa o Roma daje
Sa o Roma babo babo
Sa o Roma o daje
Sa o Roma babo babo
Ederlezi, Ederlezi
Sa o Roma daje

Sa o Roma babo, e bakren chinen
A me, chorro, dural vesava
Romano dive, amaro dive
Amaro dive, Ederlezi

E devado babo, amenge bakro
Sa o Roma babo, e bakren chinen
Sa o Roma babo babo
Sa o Roma o daje
Sa o Roma babo babo
Ederlezi, Ederlezi
Sa o Roma daje

notes and translation given by Goran in comment on youtube:

"Ederlezi" is a popular traditional folk song of the Romani minority in the Serbian [Republic].

The song got its name from Ederlezi which is a Spring festival, celebrating the return of springtime, celebrated especially by Romani people in the Balkans, Turkey and elsewhere around the world. Ederlezi is the Romani name for the Bulgarian, Macedonian and Serbian Feast of Saint George. It is celebrated on 6 May [O.S. 23 April] (occurring approximately 40 days after the spring equinox). The various Balkan spellings (Herdeljez, Erdelezi) are variants of the Turkish Hidirellez, a holiday signaling the beginning of spring, occurring on the same day.Goran Bregovic also recorded a version with Polish lyrics, titled "Nie ma, nie ma ciebie", together with Polish singer Kayah. The band Beirut, Italian saxophonist Daniele Sepe, and the Boston-based band Bury Me Standing also do covers of "Ederlezi". The Gypsy Rebels of Toronto, Ontario also cover the song, featuring the vocals of Micheal T. Butch and his band.

Ederlezi translates to "Spring Festival " on Saint George Day" May 6th

All my friends dance the oro
Dance the oro, they make the day
All the Roma, mothers
All the Roma, fathers, fathers
All the Roma, oh mother
All the Roma, fathers, fathers
Ederlezi, Ederlezi
All the Roma, mothers

All the Roma, fathers, sacrifice sheep
But mine, The poor drummer, we must stay away
A Romany day, our day
Our day, Ederlezi

my father, has a sheep for us
All the Roma, fathers, sacrifice sheep
All the Roma, fathers, fathers
All the Roma, oh mother
All the Roma, fathers, fathers
Ederlezi, Ederlezi
All the Roma, my mother

---
Marta Parol wrote:

It is very popular in Poland. It was sang by our artist Kayah(very recognizable). She had the album with Bregovic. The song is "Nie ma nie ma Ciebie"
-------------------
a slower choral rendition, with English translation in subtitles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAx88Z0T_9A

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Sep 21 - 08:12 AM

Interesting to see the old threads and Keith A (Rest his soul) saying that Maggie Holland's "A place called England" was very unkind to the dear old place

I don't find it so at all. I think the message is that England is a good place in spite of the rich landowners and all the abuse given to the land. Just my 2p.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 05 Sep 21 - 03:37 AM

"does anyone have the lyrics for st george by the watersons brooko"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BaQeXUKmaY

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: GUEST,Jerry A. O'Neill
Date: 24 Apr 22 - 06:19 AM

https://mainlynorfolk.info/john.kirkpatrick/songs/saintgeorge.html#:~:text=red%2C%20red%20rose%2C-,The%20flower%20of%20England%20wherever%20she%20grows.,I%20ask%20for%20no%20praise.&text=And%20that%20England%20may%20flourish%20is%20all%20my%20reward.

Subject: RE: What songs for St. George's Day?
From: Stanron
Date: 24 Apr 22 - 06:29 AM

This has to be a tricky subject for all those atheistic anti-nationalists out there. You'd have to say it's a red flag.