Erin Brown & Nicky Stockman worked with Y5 to teach 2 folksongs collected in Cambridgeshire and 2 dances set to the music collected by Vaughan Williams. Thanks to Mary Humphreys for sharing her research and transcriptions of the songs.

John Barleycorn

Pupils learnt a version of John Barleycorn collected in August 1906 in the village of Fen Ditton. The singer was Mr Llewellyn Mallion, a 52 year old labourer who worked in a nearby Cement Works.

Music: (Arranged & Performed by Erin Brown & Nicky Stockman, Recorded by Mow Fen Music)

For the transcript of the score please see Mary’s website

Lyrics:

There were three men came from the west their fortune for to try
Then these three men made a solemn vow John Barleycorn should die
They ploughed they sowed and harrowed him in; threw clods upon his head
Then these three men made a solemn vow John Barleycorn was dead

–

They let him lie for a very long time till the rain from heaven did fall
Then little Sir John sprung up his head and so amazed them all
They let him lie till midsummer and he grew so pale and wan
Then little Sir John he grew a long beard and so became a man

–

They hired men with scythes so sharp to cut him off at the knee
And then they tied him to a cart and used him barbarously
They hired men with flails so strong to cut him skin from bone
But the miller he used him worse than that for he ground him between two stones

–

Put brandy in a glass me boys and cider into a can
Put little Sir John in a nut brown mug and he’ll prove the merrier man
The ploughboy he can’t plough the field, nor the huntsman blow his horn
The parson he can’t say his prayers without a little John Barleycorn

Cambridgeshire May Song

Pupils learntg a verse of the Cambridgeshire May Song, collected in Fowlmere in 1907. The singer was Charles “Hoppy” Flack, a 44 year old farm labourer. This will then be followed by their version of the broom dance, to the traditional tune, Keel Row.

Music: (Arranged & Performed by Erin Brown & Nicky Stockman, Recorded by Mow Fen Music)

For a transcript of the score please see Mary’s website

Lyrics:

I have a bag on my right arm
Tied with a silver string
And all it wants is a little of your gold
To line it well within

And now my song is almost done
No longer can I stay
God bless you all both great and small
And bring you a joyful May

The Trees They Do Grow High

Nicky & Erin adapted the song, collected from Ginger Clayton (Meldreth 1907) to form a ceilidh tune.

Music: (Arranged & Performed by Erin Brown & Nicky Stockman, Recorded by Mow Fen Music)

Film Of The Millfield Performance

Schools Resources

Thanks to Mary Humphreys for use of her research.

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