witch of westmoreland - ID lead singer

Subject: The Witch of the Westmorland
From: Lady Morgan
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 04:41 PM

I was just curious if anyone has ever heard of the song The Witch of the Westmorland and if anyone knows where I could find it. Thank you for your time Lady Morgan Please email me at [e-mail] Thanks once again!

Subject: RE: The Witch of the Westmorland
From: Tony Burns
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 04:50 PM

The song was written by Archie Fisher and is include in the Stan Rogers songbook Songs From Fogarty's Cove.

The words are also on this page. (Where they claim it is traditional.)

Subject: RE: The Witch of the Westmorland
From: Bill Cameron
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 04:55 PM

I forwarded this to Morgan:

Hi. Witch of the Westmereland is written by the contemporary Scottish songwriter Archie Fisher. He recorded it on his Folk Legacy album The Man With A Rhyme.

It was also recorded by the late Stan Rogers on his live album Between the Breaks--a different more rocking kind of version. Stan commented (I forget if this was on the recording, I think I heard him say it in concert once)"this is a song about a 600-year-old legend that Archie Fisher made up", which about sums up the situation.

Betcha thought it was an old song--goes back to the early 70's I think!

Any way its a good one. That's a great album of Archies, I believe it has been rereleased on CD.

Bill Cameron Ancient Folkie. (But less than 600)

Subject: RE: The Witch of the Westmorland
From: Susan of DT
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 08:11 PM

It's also right here in the digital tradition. I searched for [witch of] to get around the spelling issue - it is in as West-mer-lands

Subject: RE: The Witch of the Westmorland
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 09:01 PM

It's in the DT as "West-mer-lands" because that's the way Archie wrote it. And yes, his recording has been reissued as a CD and is available via the Mudcat Shop. Or, if you'll please remember to mention Mudcat in the comment line, you can get it direct from us at Folk-Legacy, and we'll credit Mudcat for the sale. It's a great recording! And thanks for the plug, Bill!

Sandy

Subject: RE: The Witch of the Westmorland
From: 1979
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 09:06 PM

Lady Morgan, I've got the chords and music to Stan's Version if you want it. It's one of my favourite songs that Stan did, even if he didn't write it. Anyway I had to come in to and reply to a thread with a name like that.

Subject: RE: The Witch of the Westmorland
From: Tom on Comfort
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 12:04 AM

Is it snitty to think the song needs another verse???

I think there oughta be something where the knight says thankyou & sorry about that drawing my sword on you & count on me I'm in yer corner, etc.

I mean----after all she's done for him!!!

(*BG*) Tom

Subject: RE: The Witch of the Westmorland
From: 1979
Date: 06 Nov 99 - 06:46 PM

That's not a bad idea there Thomas maybe you should give it a try I think I will.

Subject: RE: The Witch of the Westmorland
From: Bill Cameron
Date: 07 Nov 99 - 03:43 PM

No, Sandy, thank YOU!

(I had kinda forgotten that was your label)

Bill

Subject: witch of westmoreland
From: Tigger the Tiger
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:04 AM

I have just found a poor video of the Makem and Sain Brothers doing this song. Can anyone tell me who is this lead singer?

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland
From: Will Fly
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:09 AM

Is this the video you mean?

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:22 AM

One of my favorite Archie Fisher songs.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland
From: Tigger the Tiger
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:33 AM

Did you mean to leave a link?

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland
From: maeve
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:36 AM

If you are referring to the link Will provided, it's a vigorous rendition but not particularly objectionable to my ears. It is, as stated on that video, the Makem and Spain Brothers' take on Stan Rogers' version so would be upbeat with a sprinkle of rowdy. I especially appreciate that these are the sons of Archie's old friends performing his song.

The title, however, is "The Witch of the Westmerelands". Here's Archie's singing of it: Archie Fisher- "The Witch of the Westmerelands" YouTube

In partial answer to the OP's question, here are the names of the group members, from their website- perhaps that will help:

"Makem Brothers, Shane, Conor and Rory, were born in Drogheda, County Louth, about an hour north of Dublin. They continue the lineage of one of Irish music's dynasties, begun by their grandmother Sarah Makem, who was sought after by song collectors for her store of traditional Irish songs. Their father is Tommy Makem, the modern day Bard of Armagh. Now considered an icon, he helped to bring Irish music out of the corner and into the international spotlight, where it has remained ever since.

The Spain Brothers, too, learned Irish songs at their father's knee. Mickey's rich, baritone voice and Liam's mastery of stringed instruments quickly found a home when the Makems met the Spains and the brothers realized the power of their combined talents."
From http://www.makem.com/bio/

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland
From: maeve
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:38 AM

Tigger, Will did leave a link (the underlined "this"). Is that the video to which you referred?

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland
From: nutty
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:43 AM

Barbara Dickson recorded a wonderful version of this and many other Archie Fisher songs. Check them out on Spotify.

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland
From: Tigger the Tiger
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:44 AM

Thanks for the clarification on this link and the correction on the title. I was looking for recordings of Tommy Makem's sons,as I loved their father's voice. I will investigate their current work Thanks for the assistance.

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland
From: maeve
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:46 AM

Have fun with the investigation, Tigger!

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland
From: Acorn4
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 04:03 PM

Stan Rogers did an upbeat versions as well.

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland - ID lead singer
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 04:31 PM

If you want to be pedantic about the title (and I do), it's "The Witch of the Westmerlands".

Subject: RE: "The Witch of the Westmerlands"
From: maeve
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 06:02 PM

You are correct, Ross. My fingers inserted the third 'e'. I was more interested in assisting Tigger learn what he sought to know.

"The Witch of the Westmerlands" it is. We still don't know which Spain or Makem brother sang the lead in the linked video, but perhaps Tigger is content.

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland - ID lead singer
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:11 PM

Still not sure why it's represented that way. Sometimes it appears as West-mer-lands, sometimes as West Mer Lands. The location of the song is clearly the English Lake District. The current administrative district of Cumbria encompasses the old counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland.
I used to wonder if "West-Mer-Lands" was just the closest that somebody transcribing the lyrics for Folk-Legacy could get to, failing access to Archie, who had presumably moved on by the time the lyrics insert and LP-cover were being produced. Never got round to asking Archie himself, though he has once again been performing at Fylde in the last couple of years.
Always liked the "Man With A Rhyme" album because of the accompanists he brought in for some great arrangements - Wendy Grossman, Kathy Westra, Lani Herrmann, Ann Mayo Muir, Lorraine Lee.

Ross

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland - ID lead singer
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 11:14 PM

Rory Makem.

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland - ID lead singer
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 11:20 PM

Tigger, if you feel like coming on a Scottish/Irish Music cruise to the Caribbean next week, the Makem & Spain Brothers will be performing along with Archie Fisher (writer of the song), Jez Lowe, Tom Sweeney, Hanneke Cassel, Andy May, the Wolfe Tones, Máirtín de Cógáin, Harry O'Donoghue, Evans & Doherty, Ciaran Sheehan and myself
Check this out:here

Subject: RE: witch of westmoreland - ID lead singer
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 11:23 PM

Oops! here