The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #31678   Message #413234
Posted By: GUEST,Norfolk
08-Mar-01 - 03:54 AM
Thread Name: Origins of The Wild Rover
Subject: RE: Origins of The Wild Rover
The Broads to be exact. I note with some curiousity that there was and reamains a great Fiddling tradition there and I am not surprised that fine songs can be found in.

Information

Thomas Hardy lived in Dorset ( County ) England, again I am not surprised to learn his family collected Folk Music. BTW Thomas played as well as wrote. The area once hosted 'Fiddle' bands which included the 'Alto Fiddle' now rarely if ever seen, much less played.

Ireland. A great location for collecting and there are many fine tunes in the Tradition.

I find the attempt to 'Nationalise' songs and tunes in the British Isles fraught with complication, since travellers often brought stuff from one place to another with ease. It is still the case today.

Who in Ireland that first hears 'John BarleyCorn' will not be amazed, and who in England that first hears 'The Foggy Dew' will not be amazed?

I could have chosen a Scottish song or a Welsh one but I think the point is well made.