Tune Req: Farewell Manchester / Felton's Gavotte

Subject: Music for Farewell Manchester
From: yrlancslad
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 11:26 PM

I'm looking for a published source for Watts variations on Farewell Manchester otherwise known as Feltons Gavotte. I have the bare tune but would like to have the variations to serve as end piece for a CD of Songs from and about Lancashire

Subject: RE: Music for Farewell Manchester
From: Anglo
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 03:43 AM

Well I don't even have the bare tune but it sounds like something I'd like to know. Source?

Subject: RE: Music for Farewell Manchester
From: Anglo
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 03:51 AM

Well, a quick search reveals I do indeed know the tune - as "Ring o' Bells" of the Lichfield morris tradition which I danced (and played) for many years. But I've no idea on Watts' variations, sorry.

Subject: RE: Music for Farewell Manchester
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 04:19 AM

Send me a PM. I could email you a photocopy if you want, of what I have. Which is a lengthy set of variations on the tunes, from an old fiddle MS. Whether they were written by Watts, I'm afraid I dont know. In fact, why dont you come and collect the copy? If you are interested in BW English music, we would have a lot to talk about.
You will find a lovely recording of the tune(I like to think) on the seminal NW recording, "The Beggarboy of the North", Greg Stephens and Crookfinger Jack(1977). Now, alas, unavailable, though I gather it will shortly be reissued on CD.

Subject: RE: Music for Farewell Manchester
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 04:05 AM

When I was a lad (and beer was tuppence a loaf) this was a song we sang in singing together - a programme that the BBC broadcast to schools - mainly of folksongs. some from all round the world.

This particular one. I remember as very doleful and grandiose in feel - being all about the Bonny Prince's retreat back up north in 1745. I suppose it had the dual advantage of teaching us a bit of history. all redundant stuff nowadays of course.

the source for most of these songs was the English Folk Song and dance Society. i'm pretty sure they will have it in some form or another. The BBC may have a tape of that programme - all us children listened too in 1958 or so. Sombody is sure to have the booklet that we all sang from stashed away in an attic somewhere.

Subject: RE: Music for Farewell Manchester
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 04:50 AM

I first made use of the song in the Theatre69' show called "Have you seen Manchester?". It was one of those "total theatre" kind of 60's show, lots of songs, lots of history and a plea for the regeneration of Manchester.Theatre69 turned into the Royal Exchange Company, and I've worked on lots of regeneration projects in Manchester since...it was my very first serious attempt to use folk music as a tool for cultural regeneration and identity reinforcing, a very interesting experiment. So I have a very soft spot for the song.