'The Last of the Great Whales' is the title Andy originally gave it.

There is a recording of Andy singing it at the 1983 'Song & Ale' weekend in Northamptonshire, England, I believe the first time he sang it out, certainly very shortly after he wrote it, but this is not a commercially available recording. It does not include the 'none came to save us' verse, which he wrote later.

To Joseph Guest - what is the purpose of a song? Surely, to communicate, which is what this song does, whatever its faults may be. When you hear upwards of a hundred people listening in silence and then sensitively joining together in the chorus, it is impossible to feel that this is anything but a 'good' song.

To Charlie C - The Hunting of the Earl of Rone is not a festival, but a village custom, and Andy most certainly didn't write 'The Last of the Great Whales' for it. He didn't attend the custom for several years after the writing of it, although he is now expected, even 'required' to sing it every year by the village residents - and I know, because I'm the secretary of the organisation which runs it!

It's a long time since I visited Mudcat Cafe - I didn't even realise that messages could be posted on it! I may visit more often.

Best wishes to all.