Tune Req: Uttoxeter Souling Song

Subject: Tune Req: Uttoxeter Souling Song
From: GUEST,Harry
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 02:57 AM

Can anyone point me in the direction of the ABC or dots for The Uttoxeter Souling Song as played by Blowzabella on their Two Score album, please?

Many thanks,
Harry

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Uttoxeter Souling Song
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 03:03 AM

Uttoxeter Souling Song

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Uttoxeter Souling Song
From: Bearheart
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 06:58 PM

Are there more words?

If so please post.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Uttoxeter Souling Song
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 04:01 AM

You gentlemen of England, I'd have you to draw near
For we have come a'souling for your strong ale and beer

God bless the master of this house, the mistress also,
And all the little children that round your table grow

Likewise your men and maidens, your cattle and your store,
And all that lies within your gates, we wish you ten times more

Put your hands into your pockets and pull out your keys,
Go down into your cellar and draw us what you please

Draw us a jug of ale or your beer that is so bown
And we'll drink your health, likewise another to the crown.

With walking and with talking we are all got very dry,
To try your good nature this night you'll never us deny

This night you'll never us deny of your ale and strong beer,
And we'll come no more a'souling until this time next year.

Submitted ca. 1875 to the Derbyshire Courier by a Mr. Francis Redfern who "Remembered hearing it sung on his uncle's farm at Doveridge 40 years ago." Unfortunately his memory had added two half verses which had absolutely nothing to do with the story!

Lynn

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Uttoxeter Souling Song
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 04:05 AM

Perhaps I ought to put this in the lyrics section here...........

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Uttoxeter Souling Song
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 05:47 AM

Francis Redfern was the author of History and Antiquities of the Town and Neighbourhood of Uttoxeter (1886) and although he refers to souling, he only gives the first verse of the song. The words are very similar to souling songs in Cheshire, eg in Alderley and Barthomley, if I remember correctly. I think it was also published in Ormerod's History of Cheshire.
Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Uttoxeter Souling Song
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 02:14 PM

The lyrics listed above by LynnH are almost exactly the ones printed in the Blowzabella tunebook "More Scores" which was published at the beginning of 2018.

It's available from their website as a PDF download for just £5.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Uttoxeter Souling Song
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 20 Dec 18 - 10:23 AM

I've just looked more closely at the tune given above. The tune as I know it and sing it - and I know better than most where it comes from - is actually 4/4, not 6/8. I guess that's the folk process for you!