Shirley Collins 'Harvest Home'

Subject: RE: Shirley Collins 'Harvest Home'
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Nov 13 - 08:57 AM

I remember working up this tune in the house band for an amateur production of "Lark Rise" many years ago. We got quite annoyed by the sheet music the theatre group had paid good money for as it was frequently less than accurate.

In the case of "Harvest Home", one of our more educated number pointed out it was from Henry Purcell's "King Arthur" and we reharmonised it back towards Purcell from the rather limited version in the book.

may be of interest.

Subject: RE: Shirley Collins 'Harvest Home'
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 25 Nov 13 - 05:01 AM

Is Shirley not still alive?

I'm sure she would be more than willing to enlighten you.

Try going through the library at Cecil Sharp House - it's amazing how many questions they can answer.

Incidentally, I have never been a fan of Shirley's singing but she is certainly excellent as a presenter.

I note she is introducing a show / presentation of Sussex carols. Wish we lived within hailing distance. Would love to be there.

Perhaps someone like Vic Smith will record it!? Please.

Subject: RE: Shirley Collins 'Harvest Home'
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 25 Nov 13 - 03:10 AM

There may well be, very likely if Shirley sang it, but all of my sources are not from oral tradition. They do give the tune however but I'd be very surprised if it's not online somewhere.

Subject: RE: Shirley Collins 'Harvest Home'
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 24 Nov 13 - 06:12 PM

That could well be it Steve, especially if it comes from Sussex. Is there a recording?

Subject: RE: Shirley Collins 'Harvest Home'
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 24 Nov 13 - 05:09 PM

Your very brief description doesn't fit perfectly with any of the well-known oral HH songs. The well-known one that repeats HH, HH is one of the oldest dating back at least to the 17th century where it is known as 'The Country Farmer's Vain Glory'.
It starts
'Our oats they are howed and our barley's reaped,
Our hay is mowed and our hovels heaped;
HH! HH!
We'll merrily roar out our HH
HH! HH!
We'll merrily etc. x2. (3 more verses)

Versions occur in English Song Books like The Oxford Song Book. It's in Pills and Bell's Ancient Poems Ballads and Songs.

There is one called 'Welcome the Harvest Home' but it doesn't have the HH repeats.

Subject: RE: Shirley Collins 'Harvest Home'
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 24 Nov 13 - 04:05 PM

The chorus repeared 'Harvest home' twice, and I believe either said 'welcome to'or 'this is our ' Harvest home!

Subject: RE: Shirley Collins 'Harvest Home'
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 24 Nov 13 - 02:50 PM

Best of luck, Tug.
There are hundreds of 'Harvest Home' songs. If you can remember a few of the words or the first line we might stand a chance.

Subject: Shirley Collins 'Harvest Home'
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 24 Nov 13 - 02:30 PM

In the seventies I saw, a couple of times, Shirley Collins, probably with the Etchingham Steam Band, sing an up tempo song called Harvest Home, not the medley she recorded with Dolly including oats and beans and barley). I can find no trace of it, can anyone help?