The Rich History of England’s Folk Music
England has a strong history of traditional folk songs, from the well-known like ‘Scarborough Fair‘ and ‘Dirty Old Town‘ (written by the father of the late singer Kirsty MacColl) to the more obscure. Cambridge Folk Festival, one of the longest-running on earth.
Originally sung during gatherings and agricultural tasks in the fields, folk songs have been influenced by social change and political events.
Earth Songs is a treasure trove of contemporary folk music and words, by musician Jehanne Mehta, and illustrated with pen and ink drawings on each page by Stu McLellan.
Each song includes a music score, with royalties donated to an environmental charity (Stop Ecocide International).
The History of Folk Music in England
Early songs were created to pass news, while working in fields or weaving cloth at home. Wooden pips adding melodies, and ballads were popular by medieval times, with people performing them in markets and taverns.
More folk songs were carried from abroad by sailors and merchants, along with fiddles, flutes and bagpipes, for a rich variation.
The Industrial Revolution saw city songs created in mills and factories, and those longing for home would preserve stories in song.
Folk Revival of the 1950s and 60s
The mid-20th century saw a surge in traditional music, with bands like Pentangle becoming very popular. Over the border, the Irish band Clannad became popular in the 80s (Maire singing a song with Bono, and her sister Enya going onto worldwide success and fame).
Back in England, bands like Steeleye Span mixed folk with rock, something carried on in the 80s with All About Eve (until recently, the singer taught song-writing at Bath University).
One of England’s most acclaimed folk singers is Leeds’ Christ Brain, who combines ‘honeyed vocals’ to sing relaxing folk songs. He’s also a potter who likes to make teapots for a proper brew of Yorkshire tea! And a keen birdwatcher, with a soft spot for pigeons!
Apparently, Yorkshire is the county with the highest percentage of people born there who stay in the county. Some people assume it is because we are narrow minded and un-travelled, but that’s not true; it is because Yorkshire is so very beautiful at any time of year. Kate Rusby (The ‘Barnsley Nightingale).
At school, I did German A-level. One of our texts was the 1842 novel “Die Judenbuche’, written by Annette von Droste-Hülshoff. At one point, one characters hand his rustic violin over, saying; “Mein Spielen ist vorbei, ich muß jezt Geld verdienen”, which translates as; “My playing is over, now I must earn money…” Julianne Regan
World Music (try Putumayo!)
Finding good music in a world full of endless choices isn’t always easy. The sheer volume of tracks can drown out hidden gems, making music discovery feel less fun and more like a chore.
It can help by switching the dial on your radio. Today the playlists tend to be paid ads for the same songs over and over, when often there is far better music out there, if you know where to find it.
Also read our post on healing classical music.
Good music is needed, and if you tire of the same-old playlists, treat yourself to one or more CDs or downloads from Putumayo, which creates the best world music compilations in the world. If you like world music, subscribe to Songlines magazine.
Vintage Music (for nostalgia fans!)
Past Perfect offers good remastered classics from Sinatra to Garland. If you love watching old black-and-white films or musicals, you’ll love the choice selections here.
Glenn Miller was an American big band conductor, who was very popular in England, and had more hit records that Elvis Presley or The Beatles, including Chattanooga Choo Choo. He died age just 40, when his plane went missing in action over the English Channel. The plane nor bodies of all on board have never been recovered.
Learn to Play a Musical Instrument
Of course, one good way to hear good music, is to make it yourself! Decide on the instrument you would like to learn, then play for pleasure, or you could even end up in a band or orchestra!
Note some musical instruments are made with animal strings, so choose vegan violin strings and for harps. You can also find biodegradable guitar plectrums (avoid tortoiseshell).
