Penguin Book of English Folk Songs

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 28 May 03 - 04:29 PM

See my earlier posts in this thread.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 28 May 03 - 04:25 PM

I possess The Penguin Book 0f English Folk Songs. Mine is the "Reprinted 1961" version.
The cover's long gone and the leaves are brown!

Many of the songs are included on the 12" LP recorded by A.L.Lloyd on Collector label JGB 5001.

I very much doubt that this recording is available now?


Dave R.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Emma B
Date: 27 May 03 - 06:22 PM

I have a '64 copyof the Australian Song Book still kept lovingly in good condition but well thumbed and used. It does have all the 'dots' you might need and some excellent notes on the songs too.
Also have original copies of the other three Penguin Books mentioned and the L.P. by Bert (just shows my age doesn't it!)

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 27 May 03 - 01:22 PM

The point is that EFDSS owns the rights to the material in the PBEFS. It does not own the rights to any other "Penguin" song anthologies. However, it may well be that healthy sales for the re-issue might encourage those who do own the various rights (whoever they are) to consider re-publication in their own behalves. It's also the case that healthy sales of both this re-issue and of the forthcoming selection from Cecil Sharp's collections (due for release in August) may result in the publication of further material from the archives. If an economically viable demand can be demonstrated, the will is there.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex
Date: 27 May 03 - 12:08 PM

I think Nigel's question would be better asked on EFDSS Forum.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 May 03 - 03:46 AM

I thought I heard there was a Penguin Book of New Zealand Folk songs. Am I correct?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Marje
Date: 27 May 03 - 03:26 AM

A quick follow-up to say I've had a reply to my offer and my spare copy of PBOEFS is now spoken for.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: masato sakurai
Date: 26 May 03 - 07:33 PM

I like Elizabeth Poston's carol books:

The Penguin Book of Christmas Carols (London: Penguin, 1965)
The Second Penguin Book of Christmas Carols (London: Penguin, 1970)

~Masato

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 26 May 03 - 07:06 PM

Following on from my previous comment: would a bulk advance order for this first song book encourage the re-issue of the others mentioned by Joe:
The Penguin Book of Canadian Folk Songs, compiled by Edith Fowke, published 1973
The Penguin Book of American Folk Songs, compiled by Alan Lomax, published 1964
The Penguin Australian Song Book, compiled by J.S. Manifold, published 1964
The Second Penguin Australian Song Book, compiled by Bill Scott, published 1964

i.e. can the possible purchasing power of the 'cat prove to be a motivational force ??

Nigel

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 26 May 03 - 06:56 PM

Malcolm said (4:04 25 May):
"The English Folk Dance and Song Society will be re-issuing The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs later this year (though without Penguin in the title; that part belongs to the original publisher). The notes, references and bibliographies are currently being updated. More information when it becomes available."

If more details are available, folks here may wish to place orders. Or, it may be a suitable item to order via Mudcat: Can the Powers That Be take advance orders, with a small cut going to support the 'Cat ?

Nigel

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Marje
Date: 26 May 03 - 05:17 PM

I have a spare copy of the Penguin Book of English Folk Songs (1980 reprint of 1959 edition). Now, before you get too excited, it's in a dreadful state. The spine is almost totally missing - it's really just a pile of pages and the covers - but it's all there. It's been a favourite for years; the only reason I've come to realise what a state it's in is that I recently found another copy in a charity shop, in much better condition. I bought it to give to a friend but she has a copy already. .

So my old copy is going spare, but I wouldn't ask any money for it, as it's such a mess. I'd just like it to have a good home. I'll be glad to post it (UK only!) to the first person to send me a PM with their address. It may be a couple of days before I get round to doing anything about this, but I will eventually. If you do PM me and get no reply, you'll have to assume someone else got there first (I'm saying this in case I'm flooded with requests).

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Mudlark
Date: 26 May 03 - 01:54 PM

Coming in a bit late on this one but I love my '59 edition of PGEFS. I especially like the Notes on the Songs at the back of the book...great background in very little space. Altogether a tiny treasure. True, the pages are dogeared and now tea colored, but the binding is holding a treat.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 26 May 03 - 02:48 AM

G'day Liz,

Out here in the colonies, I have only seen a single dog-eared copy ... a decade or more back ... and the possessor would not let it out of his hands!

I guess I did suspect that it might have been the work of Les Barker (well, either him or The Kippers!) ... but I didn't think to ask him about it in Canberra over Easter - Damn!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 May 03 - 01:20 AM

Bob - do you mean the one written by Les Barker?

Well, I do believe I have a spare copy, or you could just ask the man himself at [e-mail] where I'm sure he'll be only too happy to sell you one.

LTS

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 03 - 10:55 PM

One afternoon in early 1998 I stood in my Dad's house and wished out loud for some sign that he was still around in some way. I had moved everything out and cleaned it in preparation for putting it up for sale. I turned in the empty room and the bare bookshelves caught my eye. Poking out from the top shelf was the corner of this little book, the Penguin Book of English Folksongs. I looked it over for a moment, and when I randomly opened it, the first song I saw was "The Golden Vanity," the song I had requested at the Song Circle that was held after his death.

I was out there the next day, and though I knew I was pressing my luck, I went over to those same shelves to see if there were any other signs from Dad. Sure enough, I found a slim volume titled The Sex Life of Slugs!

I know, I've told that one a couple of times before. But because of those events I really treasure this little book!

SRS

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: masato sakurai
Date: 25 May 03 - 10:05 PM

The CD is:

Linda Adams, John Bowden, Martin Carthy, Roy Harris, Jez Lowe - A SELECTION FROM THE PENGUIN BOOK OF ENGLISH FOLK SONGS (Fellside FECD47)

~Masato

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 25 May 03 - 08:57 PM

Desert Dancer -

The little box that usually shows the default "Mudcat FAQ - Newcomers Guide" just above the listing of threads, on the "Lyrics and Knowledge" page has a "rolldown," if you click on the arrow, that includes "Mudcat Site Map and PermaThreads Index." Select that one, and click GO, and you'll find the PermaThreads.

I'm not sure why it's there, instead of in the QuickLinks box - or why not both places, but it'll get you to the PermaThreads.

John
Hi, John - we figured QuickLinks was getting to be too long a list, so we didn't put the PermaThread Index there. We thought the top of the list of threads would be a good place for FAW, Site Index, and PermaThread Index, but maybe not.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 25 May 03 - 08:00 PM

G'day Joe,

I think the Penguin Book of Australian Ballads is text (poems) only. There is also a Penguin Book of Australian Humorous Verse which is by Bill Scott - and contains several items that are songs ... without their tunes! (I supplied some of the material, particularly songs of John Dengate - a Sydney topical/satirical writer whose first book, My Shout, I published for the Bush Music Club - to Bill.)

Anyway now we've sorted out the Penguin books ... who has a copy of the English Book of Penguin Songs for sale? (Serious enquiry ... ask the Poms ... er, English!)

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Snuffy
Date: 25 May 03 - 06:56 PM

Joe, I have made ABCs of all the songs in The Penguin Book of American Folk Songs (but not yet with lyrics). Would that be any use to you?

---

Yes, Snuffy, that would be wonderful. I'll send you a personal message.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 May 03 - 06:40 PM

Best 3/6 I ever laid out.My copy is extremely well-thumbed. The songs are great, the notes on them masterpieces, the introductions(Lloyd and Williams) wonderful. What a book.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 May 03 - 06:26 PM

Please note the contents thread in the croslinks above. I think we've succeeded in transcribing tunes and lyrics for all of the songs in the book, and giving annotations for most of the songs.
My copy of the book is only 128 pages, yet it enjoys universal acclaim. It was edited by Ralph Vaughan Williams and A.L. Lloyd, and first published in 1959. I wonder how many times it was reprinted - my copy was printed in 1976, the seventh reprinting.

This isn't the only book in the series. Here are some others:

• The Penguin Book of Canadian Folk Songs, compiled by Edith Fowke, published 1973
  
• The Penguin Book of American Folk Songs, compiled by Alan Lomax, published 1964
  
• The Penguin Australian Song Book, compiled by J.S. Manifold, published 1964
  
• The Second Penguin Australian Song Book, compiled by Bill Scott, published 1964

The Canadian book and the first Australian book are real classics, and the others are also good. I have a copy of The Viking Book of Folk Ballads of the English-Speaking World a classic collection published in 1956. I understand that in the mid-1970's, it was republished in the UK as The Penguin Book of Folk Ballads of the English-Speaking World. I think there's a Penguin Book of Carols and a Penguin Book of Australian Ballads (which I just found at half.com and just ordered). Any others?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 25 May 03 - 06:19 PM

Yes, I'm sure. A.L. Lloyd: England and Her Traditional Songs: A Selection from the Penguin Book of English Folk Songs. FECD173, 2003. Contents of the old Collector LP with a few added tracks.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: OldPossum
Date: 25 May 03 - 05:57 PM

Malcolm, are you sure that Fellside record is the same one as the A.L.Lloyd one? I have an LP with the (predictable) title A selection from the Penguin Book of English Folk Songs Fellside FE047. The singers on it are Linda Adams, John Bowden, Martin Carthy, Roy Harris and Jez Lowe; but not A.L.Lloyd. It seems to be this one that Fellside is re-issuing.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 25 May 03 - 04:44 PM

Leo Condie wrote: Just out of interest, are there any other folksong books (irish/scottish/english) as essential as this?

Check here:
Basic Folk Library New Resource, which is an attempt to organize the resources in Basic Folk Library Permathread.

(By the way, how does one find the permathreads now?)

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 25 May 03 - 04:04 PM

The English Folk Dance and Song Society will be re-issuing The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs later this year (though without Penguin in the title; that part belongs to the original publisher). The notes, references and bibliographies are currently being updated. More information when it becomes available.

Fellside Records have recently released an expanded version of the record Bert Lloyd made of songs from the book. A coincidence, probably, as I don't think they were aware of EFDSS' plans, but a welcome one.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 25 May 03 - 03:54 PM

This little book couldn't have had better editors that Ralph Vaughan Williams and A. L. Lloyd.
Paper on the 1959 edition tends to brown, and the same seems true of the 1976 reprint. It is increasingly hard to get and demands a new reprint (1959 price 3/6 or 95 cents U.S.).

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Leo Condie
Date: 25 May 03 - 03:50 PM

hehe. thanks O mysterious moderator for correcting my sheer stupidity. and thanks, bob, i'll look for that as well.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: curmudgeon
Date: 25 May 03 - 03:49 PM

A. L. Lloyd -- Folk Song in England
Peter Kennedy -- Folksongs of Great Britain and Ireland
Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger -- The Singing Island

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Deckman
Date: 25 May 03 - 03:49 PM

I've just about worn out my copy of "The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem Song Book," 1964, Oak publications. Bob

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Leo Condie
Date: 25 May 03 - 03:34 PM

Just out of interest, are there any other folksong books (irish/scottish/english) as essential as this? ive found The Irish Song Tradition by Sean O'Boyle to have some wonderful tunes in it, but other than that my library doesn't seem too good (too much books with cheesy piano notation!)

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Leo Condie
Date: 25 May 03 - 03:29 PM

thanks guys! maybe i'll get it sent to me in time to take it with me to ireland.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: curmudgeon
Date: 25 May 03 - 03:24 PM

It is a wonderful book. Now that you can find a copy, you'll need to search out the LP that A.L. Lloyd did of a selection of songs from it -- Tom

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: DMcG
Date: 25 May 03 - 03:18 PM

Or keep it in the Mudcat family: there's copies at www.collectorsfolk.co.uk, run by a Mudcatter.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 May 03 - 03:17 PM

Ebay, occasionally.

Subject: RE: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: curmudgeon
Date: 25 May 03 - 03:14 PM

Go to www.bookfinder.com. There are currently three copies available as of this minute -- Tom

Subject: Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
From: Leo Condie
Date: 25 May 03 - 03:10 PM

ive heard many a thing about this book but it seems almost entirely impossible to track down these days. is anyone aware of any secondhand websites or even decent online music stores that might actually have this? cheers