The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #51748   Message #1582551
Posted By: Mrs. Holroyd
13-Oct-05 - 03:58 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Holmfirth Anthem
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Holmfirth Anthem
I have two copies of the sheet music for Holmfirth Anthem which have been in my possession for over 30 years, and which were yellowed and dog-eared when I came across them.
The first one is No.10 of Woods Collection, entitled PRATTY FLOWERS The Popular Song & Chorus known as the HOLMFIRTH ANTHEM composed by J. PERKINS, published by J.Wood & Sons Ltd, Huddersfield and Bradford.Unfortunately, it is undated! It does give the last line of the first verse as "lamenting for her shepherd DEAR" (not SWAIN) as is popularly sung.
The second version, published again by Woods is entitled "The Yorkshiremsn's Birthright" "PRATTY FLOWERS" - Ancient Ballad and Chorus (The Holmfirth Anthem)by J. Perkins.

I first heard this song sung many more years ago than I can remember, by Kathleen Fawthrop, one of the EFDSS stalwarts from Bradford, who insisted that the last line should be sung as "Where the pra-a-aty flowers grow"

On the back page is a version of "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at" with a curious "extra verse" which goes
"God Bless the man that kills a pig
And gives his neighbour a fry
And after that a lump o' fat
And then a gurt stand pie"