Village Quire Launch New CD: Good Old Way

Having spent a very pleasant evening at Stretford Church yesterday evening being entertained by the Village Quire we can report that The Good Old Way is now available in the form of their debut CD. This morning has been spent listening to this excellent collection of songs and readings which among other things documents the demise of the West Gallery Choir as well as the coming of the enclosures. For full details of this CD go to http://www.villagequire.org.uk/GoodOldWay So, as the song says, ‘don’t delay’ get your copy of The Good Old Way CD before they sell out, as we suspect that is not far off judging by the way they were going last night.

Congratulations to all the Village Quire for a great recording and a great concert. Keep it up. Here are details of how to buy and what you get:

On sale from 14 April 2012, the entire Good Old Way show is now available on CD from the Genuine Folk label www.genuinefolk.com

Track listing – Click on the titles to see the lyrics.

Reading 1: Mellstock Gallery from Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy

Psalm 100 Joseph Watts of Fenny Compton (1749) © Shelwin Music, Oxford 2005

Reading 2: Dick in Love from Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy

Deryn Du Trad. arr. Paul Guppy (2009)

Reading 3: The New Pa'son from Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy

Giberalter Words: Isaac Watts Psalm 72; Music W. J. White of St. Albans (ca. 1830)

Reading 4: Gallery vs Nave from Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy

Psalm 40 Joseph Watts of Fenny Compton (1749) © Shelwin Music, Oxford 2005

Reading 5: Fancy Makes Her Debut from Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy

The Good Old Way Oral transmission (from the singing of The Watersons) Arr. Dave Newell

Reading 6: Enclosure is Mooted from Hawthorn Hedge Country by Fred Archer

Psalm 9 – Thorpe Tune William Knapp from William East's The Voice Of Melody (1748)

Reading 7: The Effects of Enclosure from Hawthorn Hedge Country by Fred Archer

Jordan Trad. arr. Dave Newell Reading 8: Bredon Hill by A E Housman

Psalm 15th – Bishop's Castle Funeral Hymn John Symons (ca. 1816) Transcribed by Gordon Ashman (1990)

Reading 9: Richard Surman Ties a Knot from Hawthorn Hedge Country by Fred Archer

Psalm 128 - Burton Bradstock Anon, transcribed by Rollo Woods (1981)

Reading 10: From the Diary of Parson James Woodforde 1740 – 1803

Spanking Roger James Nuttall (1745–1806) Transcribed/edited by Jean Seymour (1991)

Reading 11: From the Diary of Parson James Woodforde 1740 –1803

Old Sye Thomas Healey (ca. 1830) Transcribed/edited by Jean Seymour (1994)

Reading 12: Saturday 7th May 1870 from The Diary of Francis Kilvert

One May Morning Early Oral transmission (from the singing of the Copper family) Arr. Dave Newell

Reading 13: Sunday from Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee

Hail Shining Morn Reginald Spofforth (1810)


We were also entertained by the Eardisland Village Band with a selection of period pieces most fitting for the occasion. We were both heartened to see two English System Concertina’s playing away. Even better, one was a Baritone. Yes, we know, it’s sad isn’t it, but that’s the way music gets us sometimes.

The concert was a sell out fundraiser for this interesting ‘farm yard church’ which is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It is dedicated to St. Cosmas and St. Damian, the patron saints of doctors. We shall say no more for fear of spoiling your visit.