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Songs of the Midlands

Roy Palmer: Songs of the Midlands

Roy Palmer (editor)
Songs of the Midlands
Wakefield: EP Publishing, 1972
ISBN 0 7158 0177 8

Of related interest to readers of this book are two records by Leader Records. One features George Dunn and includes thirteen songs from the book whilst the other features Cecilia Costello.

The Songs

The songs are referenced by page numbers.

Seasonal and Ritual Songs

  1. John Barleycorn (Roud 164; G/D 3:559)
  2. The Red Herring (Roud 128; TYG 31)
  3. Christ Is Born in Bethlehem (Roud 1122)
  4. May Garlands (Roud 305)
  5. Souling Song (Roud 304)
  6. We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Roud 230)
  7. I Wish a Merry Christmas (Roud 230)
  8. We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Roud 230)
  9. Open the Door (Roud 230)
  10. I Wish a Merry Christmas (Roud 230)
  11. Here We Come A-Wazlin (Wassailing) (Roud 209; TYG 22)
  12. The Cherry Tree Carol (Roud 453; Child 54; G/D 2:327)
  13. Sweet Moll (Roud 817)
  14. Perry Merry Winkle Domone (Roud 330)
  15. The Seven Joys of Mary (Roud 278)

Songs of Love and Courtship

  1. The Best Bed (Roud 1123)
  2. There Was an Old Man Came Over the Sea (Roud 362; G/D 4:815)
  3. The Indian Lass (Roud 2326)
  4. Young Sailor Bold (Roud 269; Laws K43; G/D 7:1429; TYG 10)
  5. Lord Thomas (Roud 4; Child 73; G/D 2:212)
  6. Lord Bateman (Roud 40; Child 53L; G/D 5:1023; Henry H470)
  7. Cold Blows the Wind (Roud 51; Child 78)
  8. Broomfield Hill (Roud 34; Child 43; G/D 2:322; Henry H135)
  9. Rout of the Blues (Roud 21098)
  10. Aye for Saturday Night (Roud 5701)
  11. The Oyster Girl (Roud 875; Laws Q13; G/D 2:304; Henry H725)
  12. For I Am a Maid That’s Deep in Love (Roud 231; Laws N12)
  13. American Stranger (Roud 1081; G/D 7:1469)
  14. The Green Mossy Banks of the Lea (Roud 987; Laws O15)
  15. A Brisk Young Man He Courted Me (Roud 60; Laws P25; G/D 6:1169, 6:1170; Henry H683)
  16. Oh, It Was My Cruel Parents That Did Me First Trepan (Roud 2897; G/D 7:1362)
  17. John and Mary (Roud 313)
  18. My Chainmaker Lad (Roud 1126)
  19. Chimney Sweep’s Song (Roud 1127)
  20. The Miller’s Song (Roud 1128)
  21. My Grandma Lives on Winson Green (Roud 282; Henry H208)
  22. Seven Gipsies (Roud 1; Child 200; G/D 2:278; Henry H124)
  23. Peggy Band (Roud 661)
  24. The Seeds of Love (Roud 3; G/D 6:1180)
  25. Cruel Barbara Allen (Roud 54; Child 84; G/D 6:1193; Henry H236)
  26. The Outlandish Knight (Roud 21; Child 4; G/D 2:225; Henry H163)
  27. All Fours (Roud 232)
  28. Jolly Joe the Collier’s Son (Roud 1129)
  29. Navvy Boots (Roud 516; G/D 4:787)

Songs of Crime and Punishment

  1. Henry My Son (A) (Roud 10; Child 12; G/D 2:209; Henry H814)
  2. Henry My Son (B) (Roud 10; Child 12; G/D 2:209; Henry H814)
  3. Edward (Roud 200; Child 13; TYG 35)
  4. The Cruel Mother (A) (Roud 9; Child 20; G/D 2:193; TYG 73)
  5. The Cruel Mother (B) (Roud 9; Child 20; G/D 2:193; TYG 73)
  6. Adieu, Adieu (Roud 30101)
  7. Poaching Song (Roud 299)
  8. The Nottinghamshire Poacher (Roud 222)
  9. Henry’s Downfall (Roud 221)
  10. Charlestown (Roud 261; Laws L16; G/D 2:260; Henry H691, 202)
  11. The Jovial Hunter of Bromsgrove (Roud 29; Child 18)
  12. Spare Me the Life of Georgie (Roud 90; Child 209; G/D 2:249)
  13. Robin Hood Rescuing Three Squires (Roud 71; Child 140; G/D 2:243)
  14. Poll and Nancy Hogan (Roud 1130)
  15. Oxford City (Roud 218; Laws P30; G/D 2:210)
  16. The Cruel Ship’s Carpenter (Roud 15; Laws P36A; G/D 2:201, 2:202)

Songs of Social Comment

  1. The Dudley Boys (Roud 1131)
  2. Lord Marlborough (Roud 233)
  3. The Battle of Waterloo (Roud 1132, 1106; Henry H608)
  4. When You Get Up in the Morning (Roud 1133)
  5. Stop That Clock (Roud 1134)
  6. Early in the Morning (Roud 1135)
  7. The Old Miner (Roud 1136)
  8. John Riley (Roud 270; Laws M8; G/D 1:22; Henry H468)
  9. The Green Bed (Roud 276; Laws K36; G/D 1:48; Henry H779)
  10. The Withy Carol (Roud 452)
  11. No Irish Need Apply (Roud 1137)
  12. Diverus and Lazarus (Roud 477; Child 56)
  13. Holly Ho (Roud 1407)