This thread is absolutely fascinating.

I have a number of Singing Together pamphlets from the 60s and 70s, partly because I'm interested in folk music and partly due to enjoying Time and tune/Singing Together in teh school radio broadcasts in the mid-1980s.

I am looking for a song that I learned at school via Singing Together in either 1985 or 1986 (I'd guess the latter). It is Old Raciborski, apparently derived from a Polish folk song about the oldest yew tree in the land.

I have been unable to track down in ebay in over a decade. I have done some research on Polish folk tunes and while I can find quite a bit of information about the Racziborz Yew but I can't find any song directly related to it.

I would love the full lyrics if anyone is able to share them. I'd also pay money for the sheet music - even if just a photogcopy/scan.

The words I remember are:

Famous old yew tree
Thousand years growing
Stands in the forest
Gipsy way showing

Old Raciborski, Old Raciborski
See how the gipsy sings to you!
Turn gipsy caravans down the forest trail
That we seek.

Old Reciborski,
Pathway bestriding.
Always the gipsy
Faithfully guiding.


My e-mail is andrewpage15@yahoo.co.uk