Tune Req: The Gooseberry Grower's Song

Subject: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: GUEST,Liz Gentil
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 06:57 AM

I have the lyrics of 'The Gooseberry Growers Song' said to be sung to the tune of 'With Wellington We'll go, we'll go'. Anybody able to help with the tune?
This was traditionally sung at the annual Gooseberry Shows in Cheshire and Lancashire in the 19th century. Various versions survive as individual show societies added their own verses. We'd love to be able to revive the tradition.

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 07:34 AM

With Wellington We'll Go is the tune that Kidson prints for the song With Henry Hunt We'll Go in Traditional Tunes. It's essentially the Nutting Girl.

I'm just on my way out at the moment, but I'll post it later if noone comes up it beforehand.

Mick

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: MMario
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 09:01 AM

lyrics?

Subject: Tune Add: WITH HENRY HUNT WE'LL GO (Kidson)
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 10:25 AM

Here's Kidson's tune for With Henry Hunt We'll Go.

Mick

---

X: 1
T:With Henry Hunt We'll Go
M:C|
L:1/8
S:Traditional Tunes - Frank Kidson
K:G
"^Chorus:"D|GBBd cBA
w:With Hen-ry Hunt we'll go my boys
G|GBBd d2 z
w:With Hen-ry Hunt we'll go;
B|ccAc BBG
w:We'll mount the cap of li-ber-ty
B|cAGF G2 z||
w:In spite of Na-din Joe.
d|dgge f2 dd|dgge f2 z
d|dggf edcB|cBce (d2 c)|
B|GBBd cBAG|GBdd d2 z
B|ccAc BBGB|cAGF G2 z||

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: MMario
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 10:35 AM

Thanks Mick - you've added a lot of tunes *grin*!

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 04:49 AM

My head is full of strange noises! I do try and post tunes when I post words, and I realise that not everyone has the ability to notate tunes for songs so if there's a request I put them up when I can.

Mick

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GOOSEBERRY GROWERS' SONG
From: GUEST,Liz Gentil
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 12:13 AM

Sory it's taken a while to post the lyrics, but as you can see it's quite complicated to type in!



The Gooseberry Growers' Song (1885 version)

Background information:
In 1885 a gooseberry variety called 'Bobby' won more prizes (116) across all the shows in the country than any other variety. The 'London' came third that year with 77 prizes. Gooseberries shows are local competitions to find the heaviest berry which are still weighed today in traditional pennyweights and grains. There used to be hundreds of shows all round the country in the 19th century. There are now only a handful left; all but one of these are held annually in Cheshire villages around the Congleton and Macclesfield area.
………………….

The Gooseberry Growers' Song

Come all ye jovial gardeners, and listen unto me
While I relate the different sorts of winning gooseberries –
This famous institution was founded long ago,
That men might meet and drink and have a gooseberry show.

CHORUS        
So come all jovial gardeners, let's merry, merry be:
We'll sing and dance, we've all a chance; but the London is for me.

This London of renown was that famous Huntsman's son
Who was raised in a Cheshire village near the May-pole in Acton
While in bloom he was but small yet still so fast he grew
That everyone admired him, for his equals are but few.

Then hearing of his fame the Lion was grieved sore –
Saying " If the London should my rival prove, my reign will soon be o'er,
Although he bears a mighty name, to him I'll ne'er give up,
For it shall be said an age to come – "The Lion wins the cup."

The London overhearing him then made him this reply: –
"I value not your threatenings your courage I defy,
Come let us meet together, as we have done before,
And I'll beat you for the cup, he cried, and give you grains a score."

The challenge was accepted, appointed was a day
'Twas in the month of August, their valour to display;
The London first appeared decked with a pleasant smile,
Attended by Leveller, Stockwell and Hero of the Nile.

Lion from all directions came, from east, west, north and south,
To conquer he was fully bent and weigh the London out;
Soon he was disappointed, when old Jem Briggs did say –
"You're beaten Lion, all may see, for the London's won the day."

There's Dan's Mistake and Catherine, Magenta and Careless too,
Clayton, Drill and Telegraph, Antagonist and Peru;
Mount Pleasant, Plunder, King of Trumps, Australia, and Railway,
Ploughboy, High Sheriff, and Gretna Green; but the Bobby wins the day.

There's Speedwell, Leader, Matchless, Freedom and Slaughterman,
Queen of Trumps and Trumpeter, Surprise and Nottingham,
Duke of Sutherland, Lord Rancliffe, Garibaldi and Eskender Bey,
Jenny Lind and Dr Hogg, but the Bobby wins the day.

There's Queen Victoria and Lord Scarborough, Peto and Bollin Hall,
Magnet, Greenock, Tinker, Flixtonia and Snowball,
There's Mitre, Beauty, Postman, Lancashire Hero and George Brown,
But the Bobby is the favourite, both in village and in town.

There's Souter Johnny and Oldham, Tom Joiner and Veteran,
Great Eastern and Lord Liverpool, Lady Popham and Foreman,
Advance, Miss Nightingale, and Alderman, Lady Stanley and Lord Lee,
Lady Leicester and Lord Derby, but the Bobby wins the day.

There's Lady Haughton and Snowdrop, Macaroni and England,
Shiner, London and Sally, My Beauty and Napoleon le Grand,
Willow Green and Visit, Red jacket and Viceroy,
Duster, Lizard and Rover, Bravo and Pretty Boy.

There's Victory, Grateful, Leonard, Mr Clough and Queen of Greens,
Express, Long Bill and Brown's Delight, in company are seen;
Hit or miss, Mr Boocock, Jessie, Gem and Unity,
But there's Bobby, Ringer, Hospool and Antagonist for me.

The weighing being over, straight our wives do come,
To fetch the cups, caps and kettles our gooseberries have won,
Then we return unto our homes, and lovingly agree,
When the letting-outs are over, we will plant a Bobby tree.

But if we happen for to lose, and all our money spend,
The case will be much altered – on this you may depend,
For instead of words most loving, she'll tease you night and day,
And there will be no pleasure until you get a Bobby tree.

Here's health unto the Bobby, the conqueror of this land,
Soon we may raise aother sort against him for to stand;
So toss about the bowl my boys, and merry let us sing,
All honour to his 34 -20, and God save the Queen.

Chorus: So come all, &c.

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 08:14 AM

If you watch BBC2 tomorrow night (Thursday 19th July)at 8-00pm you will see an item about the Gooseberry Society along with a brief play of the Gooseberry song sung by yours truly. Cough and you'll miss it!

Cheers
Mark

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 10:25 AM

How many of those varieties has anyone heard of now?
I think we have, or did have a Leveller.

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: MMario
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 10:29 AM

I've seen Speedwell for sale. That's the only name I recognized.

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 11:08 AM

Lord Derby (a red variety of gooseberry) is on the stand at Tatton along with about a dozen other varieties -not necessarily in the song). The song has never been heard sung in living memory and the Chairman of the society has had the words for ages but couldn't fathom out how it would sound when sung. I made a recording of the song for the society and I gather he was choked up when he heard it! (hopefully nothing to do with the quality of the singer!!)

I've been invited to the Marton show on the 4th August to sing the song to the members and revive a lost tradition.

Cheers
Mark

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 11:49 AM

Gooseberry production is restricted or forbidden in many States and some Provinces. The following from Agricultural Research Services, United States Department of Agriculture, in an article discussing the new variety "Jeanne":
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2006/060720
Jeanne gooseberry

"Gooseberry production is limited in the United States, partially due to restrictions imposed in the last century. Like other Ribes species, gooseberries are generally susceptible to white pine blister rust. While the disease causes them little harm, it can be devastating- even fatal- to pine trees.
Jeanne gooseberries are highly resistant to white pine blister rust and to powdery mildew,...."
I haven't checked Canadian provincial regulations recently.

So beware- and take care-

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 02:40 AM

Liz Gentil has just told me that the Cheshire Gooseberry Society stand at Tatton has won a Silver medal - congratulations to them for the effort that has gone into this project.

Cheers
Mark

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: Peace
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 02:56 AM

"I've been invited to the Marton show on the 4th August to sing the song to the members and revive a lost tradition."

Mark, that is awesome. I really hope you are feeling just a bit--OK, tons and tons proud of yourself. Congratulations. PLEASE post again after you present the song. And, is there any way w'all could listen to it?

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 10:13 AM

Peace - Are you in the UK? BBC2 at 8-00pm is showing some highlights of the Tatton Flower Show and will include a very brief snatch of the song in the Gooseberry Society item. I'll try and put an MP3 of the song on my website for people to listen to - if I can fathom out how to do it. I'll let you know!

Cheers
Mark

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: GUEST,cardboard cutout
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 04:09 PM

I heard the song during the broadcast, without having noticed this thread before. So I was amused and delighted to read it when I came to check my e-mail and message boards just now>
Best wishes for Marton etc., Mark - we used to live nearby in Congleton.
P.s. has it been a particularly good year for gooseberries this year, the ones in my garden have been really opulent.

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: Peace
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 04:44 PM

Hi, Mark. I am in Alberta, Canada. But this is really awesome. Man, it's not an everyday thing to 'bring something back' from the past. If you do mp3 the song, please message me and let me know.

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: gnomad
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 05:18 PM

Gooseberry enthusiasts will doubtless know of the Egton Old Gooseberry show, held at Egton Bridge (Nr Whitby) in early August since 1800.

A quick google shows prizes are awarded for each of the colours [green, red, yellow and white]. As at 1999 the heaviest ever berry was the 1991 yellow winner, variety Woodpecker, it weighed almost 2oz. The heaviest berry that year was a green, of the variety Bank View.

2006 winner was another yellow, weighing 27 drams,9 grains, variety not specified.

This year's show is on Aug 7th.

I was never an enthusiast, until I discovered you can turn them into wine.

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 06:59 PM

Peace - A Canadian film crew recorded a piece at the show on Tuesday when I was there and filmed me singing a few verses with Liz and Peter joining in the chorus. I don't know when this will be shown or what channels you have but it might be worth looking out for if you know of any gardening programmes that get shown over there.

The item on the BBC show that lasted for 1 minute 35 seconds took a good half hour to record. Very interesting to see how it was all done with only one camera changing positions for wide shots and close-ups. I gave the crew a CD of the song just in case they were interested in it.

My dad made some gooseberry wine once and it underwent a secondary fermentation in the bottle and ended up like champagne - we only found out when the bottles started bursting - of course we had to drink it before we lost the lot - what a boozy night we had!
Hic!
Mark

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: Peace
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 07:03 PM

Waste not, want not. My grandmum was always saying that about food and stout.

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 02:13 PM

Well the tradition of singing the Gooseberry Growers' song has now been reintroduced at Marton Gooseberry Show. To keep the song topical I included the name of the winning variety in the last verse - Woodpecker. It went down very well (along with the meal and glass of Gooseberry wine!). I'm sure they will remember the tune for next year to be able to sing it for themselves.
The event was filmed for the record as part of the Gooseberry project that Liz was organising.

Cheers
Mark

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: GUEST,Liz Gentil
Date: 10 Aug 07 - 02:01 PM

Well it's wonderful how enthusiastic everyone is about this song! Many grateful thanks to Mark for bringing it alive. There are several requests from gooseberry growers to have a CD now. Mark and I will have to get on to it.

As part of the project, run by Cheshire Landscape Trust with funding from the UK Heritage Lottery Fund, we went to RHS show at Tatton Park. This is very prestigious and we were excited to be there. it was brilliant getting all the publicity with the TV companies and all.

As part of the event the gooseberry societes produced a recipe book which not only contains a recipe for making goosberry wine, it also has the words of the song printed on the back page. if anyone would like a copy it's only £1.00 plus postage. Let me know on
[e-mail]

Cheers everyone.

Subject: RE: The Gooseberry Grower's Song
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Aug 07 - 02:07 PM

W£Ell, I would be very happy to sing the old comic song The Goosberry Tree at any subsequent events or recordings. And it doesn't need reviving...it never died!