Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,JHW Date: 09 Nov 20 - 03:49 PM Dave H post Date: 03 Sep 09 - 06:57 AM is the tail as I know it. Simplified and shortened in the regular song. Ref the Lambton Curse. When Vaux Brewery Sunderland produced Lambton Beer that was the end of Vaux. |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,jamiebrownfolk Date: 07 Nov 20 - 05:25 AM A topical, satirical spin on an oldie. A take on the whole UK corona farce for your amusement/enjoyment...sanity? Stay safe all. ------ BORIS AND THE JORM (GERM): The Lambton Worm - 2020 Lockdown 2 Edition (captions available) https://youtu.be/qF66gX2OQ54 |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: Dave Hanson Date: 21 Feb 19 - 02:41 PM It was written by C K Lemeune. Dave H |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: GUEST Date: 21 Feb 19 - 12:31 PM who wrote it? |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,jim bainbridge Date: 18 Feb 19 - 12:31 PM On a visit to San Francisco in late October 2001, the folk club in Haight Ashbury had a theme night on the supernatural. I had no idea what to do to conform- not my scene really. the club was in the 'alternative' area of SF, in the wonderful Faith Petric's big old house & once through the door, you turned left for the folk club, and turn right for a soup kitchen, run by Faith for local down & outs.... Anyway I settled on the 'Lambton Worm' which was greeted by a stunned silence, delayed applause & a moment I'll always treasure- a squatting ponytailed hippy took his reefer out of his mouth, smiled and said ' Cool, man' |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,Al Date: 18 Feb 19 - 06:03 AM It's not a Tyneside song, it's a Wearside song. With respect to the area, the difference in the two descriptions is massive. |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: Mr Happy Date: 03 Sep 09 - 08:33 AM Sorry, my link above didn't. Here it is again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVwbcQG9d6I & more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambton_Worm |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: Dave Hanson Date: 03 Sep 09 - 06:57 AM There are several versions of the legend, one was that the wise woman advised Lambton to stud his armour with spear points [ razor blades had not yet been invented ] the part about slaying the fist living thing he sees is from the bible and is called Jepthas Vow, another is that everytime Lambton cut the beast in two it re-joined itself, so he lured it into the river so the parts were washed away and couldn't re-join, anyway he broke the vow by slaying his dog instead of his father which invoked the retribution of ' that no male heir of Lambton would die in his bed for seven/nine generations ' as a matter of historical this proved to be the case, but more likely coincidance not a mythological curse. Dave H |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: SunrayFC Date: 03 Sep 09 - 05:54 AM And at the Sunray Folk Club we had a rather different version of this from LANDERMASON. And it was recorded. And it's not often you hear it in this dark depths of Dorset! |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: Mr Happy Date: 03 Sep 09 - 05:38 AM Good, raucous, unpretentious & natural version here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVwbcQG9d6I |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: Jim Dixon Date: 22 Apr 09 - 02:43 PM From The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham by William Hutchinson (Newcastle: S. Hodgson, 1787), page 493: The Staiths called FATFIELD STAITHS exhibit a busy scene in the coal trade, where the keels come up to receive their loading for the port of Sunderland. The village is very populous. Near this place is an eminence called the Worm Hill, which tradition says was once possessed by an enormous serpent, that wound its horrid body round the base; that it destroyed much provision, and used to infest the Lambton estate, till some hero of that family engaged it, cased in armour set with razors, and when it would have crushed the combatant by enfolding him, sustaining a thousand wounds, fell at last by his falchion. We thought to have found intrenchments round this mount, and that the fable had reference to some Danish troop who kept the place as a station, from whence they could commit depredations on the country, and that the story of the hero imported some chief personage's victory over a public enemy: But there is not the least trace of any such matter, and the whole miraculous tale has no other evidence than the memories of old women. Our map makers have figured the place very significantly. |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: Jim Dixon Date: 22 Apr 09 - 02:24 PM From an article "Characters of Hunting Countries: No. VIII: Durham" in The New Sporting Magazine, Vol. IV, No. 24, April, 1833 (London: Baldwin & Craddock), page 410: A very ancient tradition is attached to the house of Lambton, which, being somewhat in the sporting line, and admirably related by the historian, we perhaps cannot better employ our pen than in transcribing. It is as follows:— "The heir of Lambton fishing, as was his profane custom, in the Wear on a Sunday, hooked a small worm or eft, which he carelessly threw into a well, and thought no more of the adventure. The worm (at first neglected) grew till it was too large for its first habitation, and issuing forth from the Worm Well, betook itself to the Wear, where it usually lay a part of the day coiled round a crag in the middle of the water; it also frequented a green mound, leaving vermicular traces, of which, grave living witnesses depose that they have seen vestiges. It now became the terror of the country, and amongst other enormities levied a daily contribution of nine cows' milk, which was always placed for it at the green hill, and in default of which it devoured man and beast. Young Lambton had, it seems, meanwhile, totally repented him of his former life and conversation, had bathed himself in a bath of holy water, taken the sign of the cross, and joined the crusaders. On his return home, he was extremely shocked at witnessing the effects of his youthful imprudences, and immediately undertook the adventure. After several fierce combats, in which the crusader was foiled by his enemy's power of self-union, he found it expedient to add policy to courage; and not perhaps possessing much of the former quality, he went to consult a witch or wise woman. By her judicious advice he armed himself in a coat of mail studded with razor blades, and thus prepared placed himself on the crag in the river, and awaited the monster's arrival. At the usual time, the worm came to the rock, and wound himself with great fury round the armed knight, who had the satisfaction to see his enemy cut in pieces by his own efforts, whilst the stream washing away the severed parts, prevented the possibility of re-union. There is still a sequel to the story; the witch had promised Lambton success only on one condition, that he should slay the first living thing which met his sight after victory. To avoid the possibility of human slaughter, Lambton had directed his father that as soon as he heard him sound three blasts on his bugle, in token of the achievement performed, he should release his favourite greyhound, which would immediately fly to the sound of the horn, and was destined to be the sacrifice. On hearing his son's bugle, however, the old chief was so overjoyed that he forgot the injunctions, and ran himself with open arms to meet his son. Instead of committing a parricide, the conqueror again repaired to his adviser, who pronounced, as the alternative of disobeying the original instructions, that no chief of the Lambton's should die on his bed for seven (or as some accounts say) for nine generations; a commutation which to a martial spirit had nothing probably very terrible, and which was willingly complied with." Mr. Surtees* adds that the date of the story is of course uncertain, but that nine ascending generations from the late General Lambton (in whom popular tradition affirmed the curse to expire), would exactly reach to Sir John Lambton, Knight of Rhodes, the supposed worm slayer. [*"Mr. Surtees, of Mainsforth, the accomplished historian of the county"] |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: Alec Date: 17 Mar 09 - 11:18 AM Don't know if this helps or not but it is the version i have always been most familiar with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsO7SeCvgMw |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,Steve Howlett Date: 17 Mar 09 - 09:58 AM It might not have been the Songwainers. Strawhead? I've got the words, just need the tune. |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: Jane of 'ull Date: 16 Mar 09 - 06:19 PM I remember as a child in the 1970s reading a fascinating book about the Lambton Worm, and other Worms and legends. I don't know if this would have been "Albion: A Guide to Legendary Britain" by Jennifer Westwood mentioned by Fiolar on here, as when I looked it up it says published in 1987? I'd love to find the book I read, if anyone can shed any light on this I'd be grateful! |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,Steve Howlett Date: 16 Mar 09 - 02:27 PM Coming late to this thread in search of a tune for More of More Hall, which I thought was sung by the Songwainers. Can anybody help? (And I think Owen Brannigan is a bass or b/baritone.) |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,Peking Man Date: 29 Dec 08 - 12:13 PM To say that Penshaw Monument is bigger than the Parthenon is rubbish -- the Parthenon is vastly greater in size. Penshaw Monument is in fact modelled on the THESEUM in Greece, but on a smaller scale. |
Subject: RE: Origin: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,izzit Date: 20 Jul 08 - 04:00 PM The song was made famous nationally when it was recorded by that fine North East tennor, Owen Brannigan. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: Hamish Date: 21 Aug 07 - 08:29 AM Of course, it's been nicked for a recent storyline in the BBC radio-soap, The Archers. -- Hamish |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,Richard Sails Date: 21 Aug 07 - 05:54 AM Further to John Routledge's posting of July 18th 01 (!) I have just been involved in shooting a short film at the Journal Tyne Theatre in Newcastle and their historical display says that the song The Lampton Worm was written by C.M.Leumane for their first panto, titled The Lampton Worm, in 1867 (John's 1857 may have been a typo). See also http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/english/Lambton/default.htm . |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,Frank Lee Date: 24 Jul 07 - 08:02 PM The girl singers who sang The Lambton Worm on radio and at local pantomimes on Tyneside were indeed The Barry Sisters; there were three of them as I remember, 'though I believe one was not actually related to the others. They used close harmonies similar to those of the Beverley Sisters and the Andrews (Boogey Woogey Bugle Boy) Sisters, and top class performers they were too. The Lambton Worm was also recorded by The Five Smith Brothers on a '78' some time in the '50s., with Blaydon Races on the flip side. Frank Lee |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 24 Jul 07 - 06:14 PM Already pointed out a few posts earlier in this thread (and 5 years ago; it's an old one). Why labour the point? The file on the site Graeme linked to was copied-and-pasted (without acknowledgment) from the DT (see links at the head of the page); the same text and comments were also copied-and-pasted from the DT at the beginning of this discussion. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,Keith Ferret Date: 24 Jul 07 - 04:49 PM Correct pronunciation is Lambton warm...as in warm weather |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,Graeme Ross Date: 23 Jul 07 - 08:30 PM hi, i was looking on another site for this song as my grandad used to sing it for me as we bombed about in his knackered old cars. The other site had no chords so i found yours and its top. This is way more in depth. thanks a lot for the chords and links to midi files, great site. check it out..http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/folk-song-lyrics/Lambton_Worm.htm It states that the song was originaly code for the tax that the lord of lambton placed on his estate. the tax became cripling and the his lands suffered under a spiralling tax. On returning to the estate he halved the tax and the locals began building a monument for their lord and lands, on discovering this he raised the tax and the building was not completed. Its a great sight the monument and hill. ive been up there a few times. i like the bit about it being 50% bigger than the parthanon, seems like durham builders i know ("hew lads! ya knaa what laads? a reckon we'll make it bit bigger than theres shall wha? wah aye!!", then getting sick half way through and leavin the roof off...) worth a visit but dont go anywhere near night time. its beautiful but its bit rough round those parts.. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: Cluin Date: 27 Nov 02 - 05:27 PM Some bad meat Lord Lambton ate during a weekend piss-up. ;) |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: Mr Red Date: 27 Nov 02 - 03:32 PM & the legend was based on? |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: banjomad (inactive) Date: 27 Nov 02 - 02:10 PM The popular version of the song was written in the 1800s by C K Lemeune. The film 'Lair of the White Worm'was based on the book by Bram Stoker who based his book on the Northumbria legend. Dave |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 26 Nov 02 - 09:40 PM There is a documntary about this on BBC Radio 4 Now. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: Mr Red Date: 24 Nov 02 - 06:54 AM correct pronunciation is Lambton Warm. **BG** |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: John Routledge Date: 23 Nov 02 - 08:14 PM Yes Brian. Just over Fatfield bridge over the River Wear about 100m on the left is Worm Hill of said Worm fame. Much smaller than Penshaw Hill;a worm could easily have wrapped it's tail 10 times round :0) The monument on top of Penshaw Hill is the same shape as The Parthenon in Athens and unusually is about 50% bigger than the origional!! |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: BC Date: 23 Nov 02 - 08:00 PM The song quotes: "He'd had away 'n' wrap 'is tail 10 times roond Penshaw Hill". It is a common misconception that the Penshaw Hill mentioned in the song is the hill where a mock Greek temple was erected by one Lord Lambton (19th century?). This monument and its hill used to be known locally as Lambton's Folly. However, this particular hill has nothing to do with the song. About a mile north and west of this more famous Penshaw Hill there is another (small) hill that my grandmother called Worm Hill. You can find it if you go from Penshaw village and down to the river Wear. Just over the river (at Fatfield bridge?) you will find Worm Hill. It is said that there is a circular path at its foot where the worm wrapped its tail, and where, to this day, the grass still will not grow. This is the 'Penshaw Hill' of the song. Brian Childs |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,Mr Red in disguise Date: 07 Nov 02 - 06:55 AM nutty - they were only TEESing. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: nutty Date: 07 Nov 02 - 03:29 AM I didn't see the original thread but no one else seems to have made a correction so I shall. The three main rivers of the North-East of England are the Tyne, Wear and TEES. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,Boab Date: 07 Nov 02 - 01:59 AM Ted from Australia----a grand old Northumbrian song. And I'll bet , from your posting you had many a visit to the King's Head---and maybe even heard me ould Marra, Terry Conway singing it!! |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: IanC Date: 06 Nov 02 - 08:53 AM The basic plot of welding blades to your armour as a means of defeating a dragon is older than you might think. The song "More of More Hall", in D'Urfey's "Pills to Purge Melancholy" Volume 3 (1719) is one such example, probably a precursor of the long version above. :-) |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: ard mhacha Date: 21 Jul 01 - 04:35 PM I can remember that the Memorial that could be seen around Sunderland South was The Penshaw Monument, erected by the poor slaves for coal mine owner Lord Londonderry, the Lambtons were a few miles south of Sunderland Slan Ard Mhacha. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: ard mhacha Date: 21 Jul 01 - 04:26 PM All you Geordie folk people, from the ancient brain cells and remembering back over 40 years, did the two ladies that sang the Lambton Worm go by the name of The Barry Sisters. Slan Ard Mhacha. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,jayohjo Date: 21 Jul 01 - 03:32 PM Wow - my dad used to sing this, he says he even posted the words off to Lonnie Donegan one year. But he used to sing it to me when I was tiny, and I remember all of it! Jayohjo XXX |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 20 Jul 01 - 03:34 PM Some past discussions:
THE LAMBTON WORM The DT text; no tune.
Lair of the White Worm Inconclusive discussion with another duplicate posting of lyrics.
The Lampton Worm Duplicate posting of lyrics.
Lambton Worm Tune in ABC and (obsolete) link to midi. Lambton Worm Info Enquiry re. origins which got hi-jacked by somebody wanting a completely different song.
There is a midi at the Mudcat Midi Pages:
It's the usual tune; I can't remember for sure whether the Russell film used it. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: GUEST,sinsull who lost her cookie Date: 19 Jul 01 - 12:49 PM Starred Hugh Grant with tongie planted firmly in cheek. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: mbridgham Date: 19 Jul 01 - 11:11 AM Bat Goddess et al. I first heard this song in the Lair of the White Worm film - and promptly fell in love with it. I would like the tune to this song. I've been singing the version from the film without the chorus and I don't know if the song in the DB is a different melody but I need to fit the chorus in, too. Can anyone point me to musical notation for it? |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: John Routledge Date: 18 Jul 01 - 04:19 PM SORRY ALL Mistake in Haste!! This version was first used in a Pantomime at the old Tyne Theatre in 1857. John |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: John Routledge Date: 18 Jul 01 - 03:39 PM I have the words to the Lambton Worm engraved on a pewter beer tankard (1965 vintage) The version quoted in first posting became popular generally after being first sung in Newcastle Music Halls around 125 yrs ago. The story itself is much much older as already pointed out by RANK for which I give many thanks and "Broons aal roond" Cheers John |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: ard mhacha Date: 18 Jul 01 - 01:24 PM When I was working around the Sunderland area in the late 1950`s I remember a couple of girl folk sigers from around the Norh-East used to sing The Lambton Worm,They appeared on the local Radio and TV, anyone of you Makems or Geordies know who thet were?. Slan Ard Mhacha. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: GUEST Date: 18 Jul 01 - 01:05 PM Durham was noted for other Worm legends. ie The Stockburn Worm, The Lindley Worm and the Pollard Brawn. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: Naemanson Date: 18 Jul 01 - 12:40 PM Go for it Linn! |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: Bat Goddess Date: 18 Jul 01 - 11:56 AM So, is anyone going to mention Ken Russell's film, "Lair of the White Worm"? Bat Goddess |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: MMario Date: 18 Jul 01 - 09:21 AM just goes to show you - sooner or later the questions get answered... |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: Naemanson Date: 18 Jul 01 - 08:52 AM Bill Sables, Sam Pirt, and Ian Stephenson included this song in their CD, Bridging The Gap. They performed it during their too short tour here in the Eastern US. They do a great job with it. |
Subject: RE: Lambton Worm From: Fiolar Date: 18 Jul 01 - 05:22 AM Numerous "dragons" and "worms" are described in the book "Albion: A Guide to Legendary Britain" by Jennifer Westwood. Well worth searching for. |
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