Lyr Req: Dancers of Stanton Drew / Wedding at ...

Subject: Word for Stanton Drew
From: Pete - clansfolk
Date: 22 Aug 98 - 05:43 AM

Hi
Has anyone got the word to a folk song about the stones at Stanton Drew (Somerset, England)?

We used to sing one many years ago, but haven't kept the words! - and can't remember them all (old age).

The song starts.

Midsummmers eve it fell on a Saturday, Sue and William went to be wed
They had music played by a fiddler, let's go a dancing, William she said

chorus: They danced, danced, danced around, They danced, danced to the fiddlers sound,

The song goes on to tell how Sunday arrived and the Fiddler refused to play on the Sabeth - but another fiddler arrived (the devil) and played on and on till they tuen into Stone.

The stone still exsist at Stanton Drew in a farmers field where (several years ago) we visited and saw the stones (having fought our way past several cows!)

Hope someone out there can help.... and maybe we will see some of you at the Fylde Folk Festival at Fleetwood. England - Sept 4th, 5th, 6th.

Take care and sing well

Pete.

Subject: RE: Word for Stanton Drew
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 22 Aug 98 - 10:47 AM

G'day,
Here's another song telling the same story. I've no idea who wrote it:-

THE WEDDING AT STANTON DREW

The sun shone hot on the holy grey stone walls of the village church
And from their homes along the road the villagers they marched
All in their best they all were dressed to greet the bride and groom
Yes laughter filled the air that fateful day at Stanton Drew.

The sermon o'er the couple kissed the service now is done
And to the village green the congregation now must run
The piper strikes a merry note and boldly starts to play
We'll eat and drink and laugh and sing and dance away the day.

All the food is gone the wine's all drunk they only want to dance
And any pretty girl who wants to rest can't stand a chance
But as the village clock strikes twelve to end the wedding day
The piper blows his last note and his music fades away.

Oh piper won't you play for me the lady softly begged
But the piper stood with his pipes beside and he firmly shook his head
Midnight has struck it's Sunday now I can no longer play
For it's only the devil's children will dance on the sabbath day.

Well they loudly scoffed they scorned the man for having such beliefs
But trusting men of God will always stand close by their faith
No bribery nor words of praise could ever bring him back
And no-one noticed join the ring the man all dressed in black.

Oh piper won't you play for me the lady softly begged
But the piper stood with his pipes beside and he firmly shook his head
Midnight has struck it's Sunday now I can no longer play
For it's only the devil's children will dance on the sabbath day.

What can I do the lady cried we'd only just begun
But with no music for your ears you might as well go home
Well I'll play the violin for you a voice came from the back
And that is when they turned and saw the man all dressed in black.

Now no-one knew just what it was that chilled your very soul
But something in this stranger's way just made your blood run cold
And then his music soared away up through the village street
The rhythm held each wedding guest and brought them to their feet.

They danced and danced till each and every one was fit to drop
And as his music soared away the time came to a stop
I'll play the violin for you a voice came from the back
And that is when they turned and saw the man all dressed in black.

Oh the wind it howled the lightning flashed and thunder loudly cracked
I'll make you dance the devil laughed till the flesh falls from your back
Then suddenly the music stopped the man in black was gone
Of the bride & groom & their wedding guests there was nothing left but stone.

Well the sun came up on the Sunday morn and dew lay on the ground
The piper stood by the ring of stones and he sadly looked around
As he understood just what he saw his eyes were full of tears
And all the while the lady's words kept ringing in his ears.

Oh piper won't you play for me the lady had softly begged
But the piper stood with his pipes beside and he sadly shook his head
Midnight it came it's Sunday now I could no longer play
And it was only the devil's children that danced on the sabbath day.

Oh piper won't you play for me the lady softly begged
But the piper stood with his pipes beside and he firmly shook his head
Midnight has struck it's Sunday now I can no longer play
For it's only the devil's children will dance on the sabbath day.

Let that be a lesson to you!

Cheers,
Alan

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DANCERS OF STANTON DREW^^
From: Pam Mouton
Date: 22 Aug 98 - 05:05 PM

Midsummer's Day it fell on a Saturday.
William and Susan were to be wed.
They had the music played by a fiddler.
"Let's come a-dancing, William," he said.

CHORUS: So they danced, danced, danced all around,
Danced, danced to the fiddler's sound,
Danced with a skip, danced with a hop,
Danced till it seemed that they would never stop.

Midnight struck and then said the fiddler,
"Dancing on Sunday wouldn't be right."
Sue gave a laugh. "Who cares if to hell I go?
I'll find another fiddler tonight."

CHORUS: So they danced, danced, etc.

Off went the fiddler, left them a-grumbling.
Then another fiddler came down the way.
"If you'd like to dance, well, I'd like to play for you."
Tunes that he played them were merry and gay.

CHORUS: So they danced, danced, etc.

"Stop," cried the people. "No," cried the fiddler.
He wouldn't stop in spite of all their moans.
They paid the price for dancing on the Sabbath Day
When in a flash, he turned them to stone.

CHORUS: As they danced, danced, etc.

In Stanton Drew in the County of Somerset,
That's where the Devil played at Sue's request.
They paid the price for dancing on the Sabbath Day,
Now they are standing ever more at rest.

CHORUS: For they danced, danced, etc.

Hope this is what you are looking for.

All the best.

Pam Mouton

Subject: RE: Word for Stanton Drew
From: clansfolk
Date: 23 Aug 98 - 07:08 AM

Many Thanks,

The second one from Pam is as near as we can remember - one tends to change odds and ends as you go along.

It's also nice to see the other version (all I need now is the tune for it!)

Ten day to Fylde have to start learning it again.

Cheers Pete

Subject: RE: Word for Stanton Drew
From: Pam
Date: 23 Aug 98 - 08:20 AM

Where are you located Pete? I am in USA but from England. I have a friend in England who is in a folk band. She gave me this song. Perhaps I can put you in touch with her and if you are in England, maybe she will phone you up and sing it for you! You can e-mail me at [e-mail] and I will pass her your e-mail address.

All the best.

Pam

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dancers of Stanton Drew / Wedding at ...
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Nov 20 - 08:02 AM

Collin Reece wrote a version of that played by a band I used to play with in Germany back in the 1970s. Their name was Bully Wee, and I heard they were sill around (or re-formed, I don't know which) as of 2010.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dancers of Stanton Drew / Wedding at ...
From: GUEST,Brian Grayson
Date: 13 Nov 20 - 05:17 AM

Midsummer Eve it fell upon a Saturday
Susan and William going to be wed
They had music played by a fiddler
“Let’s go dancing, William” she said

        They danced, danced, danced around
        Danced, danced to the fiddler’s sound
        They danced, danced, danced around
        Danced, danced to the fiddler’s sound

Midnight struck, and then said the fiddler
“Dancing on a Sunday wouldn’t be right”
Sue gave a laugh. “I don’t care if to Hell I go
I’ll find another fiddler tonight”

Off went the fiddler, left them a-quarrelling
Then another fiddler came along the way
“You’d like to dance, and I’d like to play for you”
Tunes he played both merry and gay

“Stop!” cried the dancers. “No!” said the fiddler
Carried on playing in spite of their moan
They couldn’t stop their jerking and stumbling
Then in a flash he turned them to stone

Stanton Drew in the county of Somerset
That’s where the Devil played at Sue’s request
They paid the price for dancing on a Sunday
Now they’re standing all at rest

(Muriel Holland/Jim Parker)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dancers of Stanton Drew / Wedding at ...
From: GUEST,Brian Grayson
Date: 15 Nov 20 - 06:57 AM

... And Paddy Tutty, from whom I learned it - played on he dulcimer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdoIgp_3VEw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dancers of Stanton Drew / Wedding at ...
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 15 Nov 20 - 08:36 AM

I seem to remember an Aunt Fortesque's Bluesrockers version in the distant past.

Robin