Lyr Req: Holmfirth Anthem

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Holmfirth Anthem
From: r.padgett
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 12:05 PM

I also seem to recollect a similar thread to this which sets out that the original was 'Through the Groves' see Pop Maynard reference above also

Holmfirth Anthem was arranged by Joe Perkin (not Perkins) who was a pianist and music director in Holmfirth ~ I think he was commissioned to rearrange leading to Holmfirth Anthem/Pratty Flowers. Merry Mountain Child I think was written by Joe

Pratty not universal in Yorkshire for pretty

On a different dialect pronunciation we have local to Barnsley area:

Lakking (pron. Lake) for playing (children) also having a 'lake' day meaning not going in to work that day

Many miners had 'lakkers' on a Monday and could be seen by us kids leaning on the railings in Sheffield Road, Barnsley 'Calling' [rhyme with AL] or chatting/gossiping in 1960s

see Harry Boardman, "we've come a cob a calling" but pron Calling rhymes with hall ~ Lancs/Yorks border [Oldham/Greenfield]

Only place I have heard 'Yit' pronunciation for Yet and is a dead give away for a person who comes from Barnsley

'Flower' used Barnsley popularised by Charlie Williams for 'me duck' or duck Doncaster/Derbyshire or Derbys 'Youth' [listen to Mick Peat talk] or Petal [Likely lads/north east]

Ray

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Holmfirth Anthem
From: Scrump
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 01:19 PM

see Harry Boardman, "we've come a cob a calling" but pron Calling rhymes with hall ~ Lancs/Yorks border [Oldham/Greenfield]

I thought it was "coaling" to rhyme with "rolling".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Holmfirth Anthem
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 01:46 PM

Cob A-Coaling (according to the Watersons).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Holmfirth Anthem
From: r.padgett
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 02:04 PM

WEll spotted you people!

It is 'cob a coaling' and there is a thread or two!

This is to do with bonfire night so we aren't too far away and involves cadging coal to put on the bonfire to keep it going [I hope]

Funny lot in Lancashire

See Harry Boardman web links too and Mark Dowding

coaling and calling slight differences the purpose of calling being to cadge coal

sorry! I learn something new every day

Ray

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Holmfirth Anthem
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 01:17 PM

The watersons are a great harmony group,.
but three instances now, of inadvertently changing the words, and unfortunately due to their commercial impact ,many people not then learning the original version as it had been previously sung.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Holmfirth Anthem
From: GUEST,sam
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 03:27 PM

just seen this thread, hope the following notes are of interest to some. I live in a village just outside Holmfirth and recount these from personal memory;
1. I used to hear this song sung regularly in the Stanhope Arms at Dunford Bridge, especially at shepherds and hun meets. One of the best singers was Tony Hirst, wo claimed to be a distant relative of Perkins but who was definitely married to Arthur Howard's grand-daughter. I'm sure Tony sang of "swains" and "lambs". He was often accompanied by his mother-in-law (Arthur's daughter-in-law) who is no mean performer on the squeeze box herself. She still runs "Rocky's Western Riding Adventures" at Dunford. Alas the Stanhope is no more, transformed into a trendy restarount it failed, closed and is now used as a sort of student actor's doss house.
2. the contorted vowel in pratty doesn't seem to occur in any other similar dialect pronounciation around here, but other vowels are usd in a very idiosyncratic way e.g. "love" becaims "lovv" (compare to Kate Rushby's very Barnsley "luv", "cow" becomes "coo" and "calf" caulf" (as in Gossip John). Holmfirth dialect and accent of the past could easilly have distorted pretty to pratty.
3. the pub called "Pratty Flowers" at Crow Edge wasn't so named until the late 1980's when new owners gave it a make over. prior to this it was known as "Prince of Wales", the landlord for many years was Geoff Hallas, a noted local climber.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Holmfirth Anthem
From: Bizibod
Date: 31 Dec 06 - 08:24 AM

You know the word "pretty" ?
How do you pronounce it ? Like this:- "pritty" ?
Now try pronouncing it as is writ, that is ,sounding the "e " as it sounds in the word "egg".
Could this be the answer ? Hope so - it came to me in a totally unrelated blinding flash in the wee small hours......
Thinks, must get a life.......

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Holmfirth Anthem
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 31 Dec 06 - 08:42 PM

Hi Ray,
It's allus bin cob a coilin' rand our road! but 'Pratty flowers',shepherd dear and lands.I've heard the song since I was a nipper.
Ned.