Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for St David's Day in Wales.
From:
Mick Tems
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:10 AM
We had a simply magnificent, rip-roaring St David's Day session in the village of Pentyrch, about six miles north of Cardiff, at The Lewis Arms. Welsh and English musicians were there, plus diners who were celebrating a St Davids Day meal, and we played a whole shedful of joyous marches, beautiful jigs, reels which careered madly all over the place and heartstopping airs which brought a real lump in the throat. Who should turn up but master harper Robin Huw Bowen, and he led us on a voyage of exploration with some airs, reels, marches, jigs and amazing fascinating, pretty tunes which the late, great Welsh gypsy harper Eldra Jarman had taught him. Jeff, the landlord of The Lewis Arms and a Welsh culture enthusiast, stood quietly at the back of the room, watching Robin; here was the great man, plunging happily into a sesh and doing it all for free! Welsh songs (including Yn Harbwr Corc, Hen Ferchetan, Y Ferch O Blwy' Penderyn) stoked up the session and kept it white-hot. Jeff provided warming, tasty cawl to the many musicians and the whole pub was packed. The poet Harri Webb, whose love of Wales showed in the beautiful, funny and bawdy verses he portrayed and who died 20 years ago, must have had a twinkle in his eyes as he looked down on us from heaven. Can I change just one word, Harri, in your poem Big Night?
We started playing at seven
And went out for a breather at ten
And all the stars in heaven
Said: "Go back – and play again!"
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sj
