Party Like It’s 1699

We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..

Steeleye Span - Below the Salt [Vinyl] - Amazon.com Music

This was another band I discovered in the stacks at 90fm…and got turned on to the voice of Maddy Prior with their mid 70’s tune “All Around My Hat”

Steeleye Span was an English folk-rock band that made their bones by re-making traditional English folks songs with their acapella voices and traditional instruments with a rock edge.

They were part of a movement in the late 60’s-early 70s that included Fairport Convention, Renaissance and others.

Their 1972 LP, ‘Below The Salt”, welcomed two new members to the group, Rick Kemp on bass and Bob Johnson on guitar. Along with Peter Knight on violin, banjo & mandolin and founding members Tim Hart and Prior and it delivers everything that is good about the genre.

From the bawdy “”Royal Forester” to the beautiful “Rosebud In June”, to the old classic “John Barleycorn” (Which Traffic did in 1970) to even a medieval Christmas Carol called “Gaudete” sung in Latin, that somehow became a hit, reaching #14 on the British charts and earning them an appearance on Top of The Pops”.

Lyrics to “Royal Forester”… watch for the plot twist…

I am a forester of this landAs you may plainly see,It’s the mantle of your maidenheadThat I would have from thee.

After each verse:With me roo-run-rority ri-run-rority ri-no-ority-an.

He’s taken her by the milk-white hand,And by the leylan sleeve,He’s lain her down upon her backAnd asked no man’s leave.

Now since you’ve lain me down young manYou must take me up again,And since you’ve had your will on me,Come tell to me your name.

Some call me Jim, some call me John,Begad it’s all the same,But when I’m in the king’s hight courtErwilian is my name.

She being a good scholarShe’s spelt it over again,Erwilian, that’s a Latin word,But Willy is your name.

Now when he heard his name pronounced,He mounted his high horse,She’s belted up her petticoatAnd followed with all her force.

He rode and she ranA long summer day,Until they came by the riverThat’s commonly called the Tay.

The water it’s too deep my love,I’m afraid you cannot wade,But afore he’d ridden his horse well inShe was on the other side.

She went up to the king’s high door,She knocked and she went in,Said one of your chancellor’s robbed me,And he’s robbed me right and clean.

Has he robbed you of your mantle,Has he robbed you of your ring,No he’s robbed me of my maidenheadAnd another I can’t find.

If he be a married manThen hanged he shall be,And if he be a single manHe shall marry thee.

This couple they got married,They live in Huntley town,She’s the Earl of Airlie’s daughter,And he’s the blacksmith’s son.

Here is Traffic’s version of “John Barleycorn” from 1970…

This isn’t for everyone I know but it is kind of interesting in a historical way.

1. Spotted Cow 0:00 2. Rosebud In June 3:06 3. Jigs – The Bride’s Favorite / Tancey’s Fancy 6:50 4. Sheepcrook And Blackdog 10:04 5. Royal Forester 14:49 6. King Henry 19:25 7. Gaudete 26:33 8. John Barleycorn 29:01 9. Saucy Sailor 33:50

Credits: Maddy Prior – vocals, morrisette Tim Hart – vocals, tabor Bob Johnson – guitar Peter Knight – mandolin Rick Kemp – bass

Party Like It’s 1699

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