Tracks

CD 1: I Were Borned in an Old Gypsy’s Wagon

1. Phoebe Smith: I’m a Romany Rai (Roud 4844) (1.55)
2. Tom Willett: The Roving Journeyman (Roud 360; G/D 7:1397) (2.01)
3. Janet Penfold: Won’t You Buy My Sweet Blooming Lavender? (Roud 854) (1.25)
4. Rebecca Penfold: The Banks of Sweet Primroses (Roud 586; G/D 8:1841) (2.51)
5. Charlie Scamp: How Old Are You, My Pretty Fair Maid? (Roud 277; Laws O17; G/D 4:791; Henry H152) (0.47)
6. Mary Fuller: Oh, What a Life (Roud 9683) (0.39)
7. Wally Fuller: The Game of Cards (Roud 232) (1.55)
8. Charlie Scamp: Come, Father, Build Me a Boat (Roud 273; Laws K12; G/D 6:1245) (3.05)
9. Sheila Smith: Dear Father, Pray Build Me a Boat (Roud 273; Laws K12; G/D 6:1245) (1.48)
10. Phoebe Smith: Higher Germanie (Roud 904; G/D 1:96) (2.04)
11. Tom Willett: The Rose of Ardene (Roud 2816) (2.50)
12. Rebecca Penfold: Meeting is a Pleasant Place (Roud 454; G/D 6:1192; Henry H625) (0.56)
13. Jack Fuller: Briny O’Then (Roud 294; Henry H480a; TYG 27) (2.17)
14. Wally Fuller: The Bold Drunkards (Roud 1165) (1.38)
15. Chris Willett: The Little Ball of Yarn (Roud 1404) (1.56)
16. Jack Fuller: Green Grow the Laurels (Roud 279; G/D 6:1138; Henry H165ab) (2.30)
17. Rebecca Penfold: The Banks of the Sweet Dundee (Roud 148; Laws M25; G/D 2:224) (4.05)
18. Charlie Scamp: Young Leonard (Roud 189; Laws Q33; G/D 2:228; Henry H176) (4.13)
19. Phoebe Smith: Down by the Sheepfold (Roud 559; Laws O10) (4.38)
20. Chris Willett: Thorny Park (Roud 222) (1.19)
21. Wally Fuller: The Bold Poachers (Roud 902) (1.34)
22. Tom & Chris Willett: Down by the Tanyard Side (Roud 1021; Laws M28; Henry H52b) (3.31)
23. Wally Fuller: I Am a Man That’s Done Wrong to My Parents (Roud 1386) (2.11)
24. Charlie Scamp: Barbary Allen (Roud 54; Child 84; G/D 6:1193; Henry H236) (5.28)
25. Charlie Scamp: A Blacksmith Courted Me (Roud 816) (1.10)
26. Phoebe Smith: A Blacksmith Courted Me (Roud 816) (5.35)

Tracks 6-7, 9, 13-14, 16, 21, 23 recorded by Peter Kennedy at Laughton, near Lewes, Sussex, 11 November 1952;
Tracks 5, 8, 18, 24-25 recorded by Peter Kennedy and Maud Karpeles at Chartham Hatch, near Canterbury, Kent, 15 January 1954;
Tracks 1, 10, 19, 26 recorded by Peter Kennedy at Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 8 July 1956;
Track 3 recorded by Peter Kennedy in Battersea, London, 1 December 1958;
Tracks 2, 11, 15, 20, 22 recorded by Peter Kennedy at Paddock Wood, Kent, 4 September 1963;
Tracks 4, 12 recorded by Peter Kennedy at Mount Pleasant, Broadwood Kelly, Devon, 15 April 1973;
Track 17 recorded by Peter Kennedy at Mount Pleasant, Broadwood Kelly, Devon, 18 April 1973

CD 2: Caroline Hughes and Her Family

All tracks are by Caroline Hughes unless noted otherwise

1. The Soldier and the Lady (Roud 140; Laws P14; TYG 34) (2.30)
2. The Sprig of Thyme (Roud 3; G/D 6:1180) (2.16)
3. A Blacksmith Courted Me (Roud 816) (2.31)
4. The London Murder (Roud 263; Laws P35; G/D 2:200) (2.44)
5. Caroline Hughes & daughter: As I Was A-Walking One May Summer’s Morning (Roud 586; G/D 8:1841) (2.06)
6. Once I Had a Colour (Roud 954) (2.13)
7. My Father He Built Me a Shady Bower (Roud 199; Child 106; G/D 1:163) (3.19)
8. Georgie (Roud 90; Child 209; G/D 2:249) (1.13)
9. Young Willie (Roud 945) (1.31)
10. My Black Dog and Sheep Crook (Roud 948; Henry H30a) (0.48)
11. If I Were a Blackbird (Roud 387; Henry H79) (1.53)
12. Down by the Old Riverside (Roud 564; Laws P18; G/D 6:1188) (1.48)
13. A Wager, a Wager (Roud 34; Child 43; G/D 2:322; Henry H135) (2.15)
14. The Brake of Briars (Roud 18; Laws M32) (1.16)
15. The Bird in the Bush (Roud 290) (1.19)
16. Flash Girls and Airy (Roud 277; Laws O17; G/D 4:791; Henry H152) (0.55)
17. The Game of Cards (Roud 232) (1.34)
18. Catch Me, Bold Rogue, If You Can (Roud 2638; Laws L2) (1.57)
19. Celia Warren: Jealousy Thoughts (Roud 218; Laws P30; G/D 2:210) (1.56)
20. John Hughes: The Long Lost Child (Roud 1549) (1.57)
21. Carrie Hughes: Henry My Son (Roud 10; Child 12; G/D 2:209; Henry H814) (1.56)
22. John Hughes: Barbry Allen (Roud 54; Child 84; G/D 6:1193; Henry H236) (2.42)
23. Caroline Hughes & daughter: Billy Boy (Roud 326; Child 12 appendix) (1.04)
24. The Cuckoo (Roud 413; G/D 6:1157; Henry H479) (2.18)
25. Died for Love (Roud 60; Laws P25; G/D 6:1170) (1.42)
26. Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender (Roud 4; Child 73; G/D 2:212) (1.41)
27. The Little Boy (Roud 32444) (2.49)
28. Adieu to Old England (Roud 1703) (1.19)
29. The Butcher Boy (Roud 409; Laws P24) (2.14)
30. My Truelove Was a Sailor Lad (Roud 60; Laws P25; G/D 6:1170) (2.03)
31. Meet Me Tonight in the Moonlight (Roud 767) (1.42)
32. Tuning (0.58)
33. The Draggle-Tailed Gypsies (Roud 1; Child 200; G/D 2:278; Henry H124) (1.03)

All tracks recorded by Peter Kennedy in Caroline Hughes’ caravan near Blandford, Dorset, 19 April 1968

This legendary Gypsy singer is thought by many to be the finest exponent of the art. In addition, we have a few songs from her husband, brother-in-law, daughter, and Emily Baker, another singer in their Traveller group. These are the rarely heard 1963 and 1966 recordings made by Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger and Charles Parker, which we’re proud to make widely available for the first time. All Caroline Hughes’ best-known songs are here, plus many more including eight never before heard, which have been allocated new Roud Numbers. If the fragmentary nature of some of her songs displeases you, just enjoy the wonderful tunes, the variable verse lengths, long and short lines, and her brilliant musicianship.

Recorded by Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger and Charles Parker in 1963 and 1966

Booklet Notes by Rod Stradling

Musicians

Caroline Hughes: vocals [all tracks except noted];
William Hughes: vocals [1:12, 1:26, 2:15, 2:29];
Henry Hughes: vocals [1:32, 2:8];
Sheila Hughes: vocals [2:2];
Emily Baker: vocals [2:38]

Tracks

CD 1

1. If I Only Had the One I Love (Roud 18831) (1.43)
2. Sheep-Crook and Black Dog (Roud 948; Henry H30a) (1.39)
3. The Game of All Fours (Roud 232) (2.49)
4. I Don’t Want a Girl (Roud 24238) (0.56)
5. All Over Those Hills (Roud 24140) (1.46)
6. The Atching Tan Song (Roud 1732) (0.47)
7. Banks of the Sweet Dundee (Roud 148; Laws M25; G/D 2:224) (1.04)
8. Barbry Ellen (Roud 54; Child 84; G/D 6:1193; Henry H236) (3.02)
9. The Bird in the Lily Bush (Roud 290) (1.43)
10. Betsy the Milkmaid (Roud 559; Laws O10) (1.38)
11. If I Were a Blackbird (Roud 387; Henry H79) (2.53)
12. William Hughes: A Blacksmith Courted Me (Roud 816) (2.41)
13. The Blue-Eyed Lover (Roud 16637) (2.19)
14. The Bridgwater Farmer (Roud 18; Laws M32) (4.35)
15. I Am a Brisk Young Lad (Roud 24241) (0.30)
16. Buttercup Joe (Roud 1635) (1.23)
17. The Butcher Boy (Roud 409; Laws P24) (2.36)
18. Catch Me If You Can (Roud 1028) (0.45)
19. Clementine (Roud 9611) (0.48)
20. It Was on a Cold and Winter’s Night (Roud 175; Laws P20; G/D 6:1176) (1.59)
21. The Cows Is in the Clover (Roud 15785) (1.08)
22. The Cuckoo (Roud 413; G/D 6:1157; Henry H479) (2.33)
23. Diddling Song (0.58)
24. As I Was A-Walking up Fair Wackford Street (Roud 564; Laws P18; G/D 6:1188) (1.17)
25. Erin Go Bragh (Roud 1627; Laws Q20; G/D 2:236) (0.55)
26. William Hughes: Erin Go Bragh (Roud 1627; Laws Q20; G/D 2:236) (1.35)
27. Fair Ellen (Roud 4; Child 73; G/D 2:212) (2.01)
28. The False-Hearted Lover (Roud 954) (1.40)
29. The Folkestone Murder (Roud 897) (0.57)
30. We Dear Labouring Men (Roud 1394) (1.04)
31. Irish Molly-O (Roud 2168; G/D 6:1088) (1.10)
32. Henry Hughes: Georgie (Roud 90; Child 209; G/D 2:249) (2.37)
33. The Girl I Left Behind (Roud 262; Laws P1; G/D 5:1059; Henry H188) (1.16)
34. Still I Love Him (Roud 654; TYG 33) (0.47)
35. Flash Gals and Airy Too (Roud 277; Laws O17; G/D 4:791; Henry H152) (1.12)
36. Go and Leave Me (Roud 459; G/D 6:1145) (0.28)
37. All You Paddies Lay Down (Roud 5199) (0.46)
38. The Pretty Ploughing Boy (Roud 186; Laws M24; G/D 1:170; Henry H105) (1.04)
39. Once I Had a Good Little Boy (Roud 32444) (3.22)
40. The Running, Running Rue (Roud 3; G/D 6:1180) (2.50)
41. The Jealous Lover (Roud 218; Laws P30; G/D 2:210) (1.19)
42. The Famous Flower of Serving Men (Roud 199; Child 106; G/D 1:163) (4.43)

CD 2

1. Green Grows the Laurel (Roud 279; G/D 6:1138; Henry H165ab) (1.27)
2. Sheila Hughes: Henry My Son (Roud 10; Child 12; G/D 2:209; Henry H814) (2.02)
3. Billy Boy (Roud 326; Child 12 App.) (0.56)
4. The Rich Farmer from Chesfield (Roud 2638; Laws L2) (2.21)
5. I Was a Reckless Young Fellow (Roud 829) (0.27)
6. The Irish Girl (Roud 24239) diddling (0.38)
7. Betsy (Roud 156; Laws M20; G/D 6:1094) (1.05)
8. Henry Hughes: In My Father’s Garden (Roud 843; Laws M22; G/D 3:413, 6:1117) (1.22)
9. The Prentice Boy (Roud 263; Laws P35; G/D 2:200) (3.51)
10. Jel Along (Roud 24143) (2.05)
11. The Jew’s Garden (Roud 73; Child 155) (1.34)
12. Jolly Herring (Roud 128; TYG 31) (2.36)
13. The Blue Jacket (Roud 954) (0.31)
14. The Little Ball of Twine (Roud 1404) (1.10)
15. William Hughes: The Little Chimney Sweep (Roud 1549) (1.49)
16. Little Poppa Rich (Roud 16639) (0.31)
17. Bold Dollery (Roud 24236) (0.25)
18. Young But Growing (Roud 31; Laws O35; G/D 6:1222) (1.00)
19. Bold Robert Emmet (Roud 3066) (0.55)
20. Mandi Went to Poov the Grais (Roud 852) (0.30)
21. McCaffery (Roud 1148) (1.38)
22. My Boy Willy (Roud 24244) (0.31)
23. My Love Cold Beneath My Feet (Roud 2513) (1.18)
24. The Broomfield Hill (Roud 34; Child 43; G/D 2:322; Henry H135) (1.41)
25. The Broomfield Hill (Roud 34; Child 43; G/D 2:322; Henry H135) (1.30)
26. The Lady and the Soldier (Roud 140; Laws P14; TYG 34) (3.51)
27. Two Pretty Gypsy Girls (Roud 24142) (0.46)
28. The First Day in October (Roud 24141) (1.29)
29. Caroline Hughes (first two verses), William Hughes: Down By the Old Riverside (Roud 564; Laws P18; G/D 6:1188) (3014)
30. Old Tom Cat By the Fire (Roud 24240) / The Rackyman Doo (Roud 1880) (2.47)
31. Once I Had a Colour (Roud 954) (1.40)
32. Johnny Doyle / The Green Bed (Roud 24237) (1.23)
33. Child’s Rhyme (0.18)
34. The Oyster Girl (Roud 875; Laws Q13; G/D 2:304; Henry H725) (0.57)
35. The Green Bushes (Roud 1040; Laws P2; Henry H143) (1.36)
36. Riddle (0.44)
37. Three Long Steps (Roud 586; G/D 8:1841) (2.10)
38. Emily Baker: The Little Beggar Boy (Roud 6355) (2.25)
39. Sweet William (Roud 24243) (0.44)
40. Twenty-One Years (Roud 2248; Laws E16) (2.14)
41. The Three Butchers (Roud 17; Laws L4; G/D 2:186; Henry H185) (1.33)
42. Bell Bottom Trousers (Roud 269; Laws K43; G/D 7:1429; TYG 10) (1.53)
43. Died for Love (Roud 60; Laws P25; G/D 6:1170; Henry H683) (2.04)
44. Final Speech (1.34)
45. Space – fragments: (0.10)
46. Lord Bateman (Roud 40; Child 53L; G/D 5:1023; Henry H470) (0.18)
47. The Black Velvet Band (Roud 2146) (0.28)
48. Brennan on the Moor (Roud 476; Laws L7; G/D 2:258) (0.14)
49. The Dark-Eyed Sailor (Roud 265; Laws N35; G/D 5:1037; Henry H232) (0.11)