Tune Req: Rutland Folk Song

Subject: Tune Req: Rutland Folk Song
From: Murpholly
Date: 21 Feb 13 - 02:11 PM

Have at long last found a wonderful May Day Song from Exton in Rutland to add to my old counties of England songs. Unfortunately have been unable to find a melody as yet. So any help would be gratefully received.
A garland of roses and sweet blooming posies
I hope you remember it is new May Day

A garland of green, a garland of green
'Tis the very best garland that ever was seen

Yo smile my dear Mother I almost could cry
Tos see those pretty flowers all wither and die

So hot is the sun and so warm is the day
Only look at my sweet garland all fading away

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Rutland Folk Song
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 21 Feb 13 - 02:56 PM

Have you seem this document (or is this your source for the Exton song?): Elizabeth Ruddock: May Day Songs and Celebrations in Leicestershire and Rutland.

At a quick look, there's a convoluted section about parts of a song spread around several villages and the Exton song is amongst that section. I'd need to read it a bit more thoroughly to tell if the Exton song is meant to be sung to one of the two tunes mentioned in that section. If a closer read doesn't resolve it, try contacting the author.

Mick

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Rutland Folk Song
From: Murpholly
Date: 22 Feb 13 - 12:13 PM

I believe the May Day Songs article was published in 1964. Trying to contact Leics Historical Soc. and B.B.C. for Lark Rise to Candleford to see if they found a tune when programme making. Trying to leave no stones unturned.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Rutland Folk Song
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 22 Feb 13 - 01:00 PM

As well as the historical society, you might try contacting Leic. Museums. The acknowledgements in the article say that they were going to convert the tape recordings to disc for permanent keeping. So they may have a copy of the recordings.

Mick

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Rutland Folk Song
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 22 Feb 13 - 01:25 PM

Despite saying that "So far these particular songs have been found only in Exton", the second Exton song (Come see our new garland...) also appears (no tune, 1 extra verse) in Old Peterborough customs and their survival, 1899.

It also appeared in Northamptonshire N &Q, 1886

The Ploughboy tune mentioned is easy to find, but it's not clear from the article which part of the song is meant to be sung to it.


Mick