Origins: Fakenham Fair

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: GUEST,Blandiver
Date: 01 Feb 13 - 09:13 AM

On a point of minor pedantry a 'Carny' is more likely to be a travelling carnival worker than the carnival itself. If people know the term over here these days, it's via Homer Simpson idealised them as noble heroes governed by the law of The Carny Code.

http://www.tv.com/shows/the-simpsons/bart-carny-1475/

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: GUEST,Lighter
Date: 01 Feb 13 - 09:22 AM

Definitely. A "carnie" can be either the carnival or the employee, but usually it's the employee.

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 01 Feb 13 - 12:59 PM

Well, I remember as a small child standing by the side of the road waitng for the annual 'Carnival' to arrive in Middlesex. I was so excited my mother had to stop me running into the road. The first signs 'it' was coming was the muffled thump of the drums of the leading band. The carnival was in fact a procession, comprising brass bands, sometimes a piper, and low-load lorries with people dressed in costume on board. There was also a Carnival Queen, usually in a royal robe and seated in a carriage pulled by two horses. Brownies, Guides, the Boys' Brigade all marched along. Once it had reached the centre of our small town, that was the end of the Carnival. The lorries etc were all emptied and people drifted home. I suppose the adults went off to the pub afterwards. But there wasn't a funfair or travellers etc. Here in Norfolk there are many Carnivals, eg Cromer and Sheringham each have one. It's a procession, and a series of days with special events.

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 01 Feb 13 - 02:16 PM

Peter Bellamy.....Peter Bullen......Peter Buchan.....!!! Anybody spotted a theme? Mr Bellamy had a wicked sense of humour and was quite competitive and very clever. Could he have been imitating ole Bert?

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: GUEST,Blandiver
Date: 04 Aug 13 - 04:14 AM

The thoughts that Fakenham Fair and Yarmouth Town are both Bellamy originals is a thrilling one. We know he was especially skilled at composing words & music in the Traditional Idiom (I've always said the best of his Kipling settings are when he wrote the tune himself) which confirms something about the nature of craft of idiomatic Folk Song.

Thing is though, if they were Bellamy originals, I'm sure they would have been better songs!

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: GUEST,Merv' Abel (Cromer Smugglers)
Date: 10 Oct 16 - 08:50 AM

On advice from another "Gud Ol' locle Buoy" I'm told that he, (Pete Bellamy)Rut it!!!
Now I've heard it, I shall have to "Larn it"
Regards from Merv'in Cromer in "gud ol' Norfuk"

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 06:57 AM

Iam under the impression it was written by P Bellamy.

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 01:21 PM

That's it then good song sing it!!

Thanks Peter Bellamy

Ray

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: GUEST,fifty shades of folk
Date: 16 Nov 17 - 11:04 AM

Interesting thread, except let's not lose sight of the fact that it's a damn fine song IMO, and worth singing. Ain't nothing wrong with a happy singalong song with a sweet ending. Or is that sacrilege...

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 18 - 12:59 PM

Failsworth Lancashire had a 'carnival' on August 23rd 1924. It seems to have been a parade as described by "Guest, Eliza", rather than a funfair.
http://www.pixnet.co.uk/Oldham-hrg/miscellany/1924-failsworth-pole/1924-failsworth-pole-crowd2.html

I remember Oldham carnival as a parade in the 1960's.

So a usage of the world more like the European religious processions.

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: Speedwell
Date: 15 Jan 18 - 11:00 AM

My gut feeling is that Peter Bellamy wrote Fakenham Fair. I have nothing credible to base that on however. Reference has been made to his "wicked sense of humour",though, and as someone already pointed out Fakenham and faking 'em (fair and square) could be an indicator of what he (possibly) did here - almost as if "owning up to it" in the title for all to see.I have the greatest respect for PB as a folksinger and writer (Transports tomorrow). Whatever the truth may be it's a fine song and IMHO better to have it than not. Thanks Pete.

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: GUEST,DrewDude
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 07:27 AM

I am aware that I was 6 years old when this thread started. I’ve always thought that Bellamy wrote the song. I know he was local, but even the use of ‘Fakenham’ is an amusing clue that it is in fact a ‘fake’. Regardless, it’s a bloody good song and in a few years time you may as well class it as traditional!

Hope you’re all keeping well.

- Andrew

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 08:15 AM

Yarmouth Town imo is not as good a song as do me amma.
there are two verses in fakenham fair that do not sound to me like a trad song, that indicate it has been written in the last 60 years
Her eyes were blue her hair was brown her lips they were soft and red
And I've never seen a shape like hers and my eyes nearly popped from my head
For I was young and innocent oh but still even I could see
The way that she smiled and winked my way said come take a chance on me


The old boys said she's not for you now what will the old people think
But I took my chance and I won that girl just as quick as an eye could wink
And the finest day in all my life whatever may come to pass
Was the day that I went to fakenham fair and won me the carnival lass

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 03:26 PM

1968 Peter recorded it. Do we have any documentation on where and when etc., he obtained the song from Bullen? Also when did Peter become involved in traditional song? If like many of us it was mid-60s he would have been still somewhat green about the gills regarding writing songs in the idiom. That would explain some of the inconsistencies and modernisms in the song, if he did write it.

Having said that, I have come across many amateur songwriters on the fringes of the folk scene who have sent me similar material.

Heather may know something. I'll ask her next time I get chance.

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: Lighter
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 04:20 PM

Sandman, I concur completely.

Subject: RE: Origins: Fakenham Fair
From: r.padgett
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 05:23 AM

For the record Fakenham Fair is not on PBs "Wake the Vaulted" CDs though Yarmouth Town is there

Ray