I am 27 and live in Oregon, USA. I don't come from any sort of folk tradition and there's really not been much singing in my life. I was told about this video years ago by Jeff Warner who studied under Louis. I come back to this video almost weekly. It absolutely transports and captivates me. It gives me a deep pang of melancholy and longing to be a part of a community and culture where people come together and sing traditional songs like this. I hope people who get to do these sorts of things regularly appreciate how special it is. I just try to let it build within me the will to get some sort of thing like this going in my neck of the woods. Thank you, Louis, RIP.
Nothing to do with racism , my granddaughter is black and she dances along and sings with each song . Not everything is having a go , only if you're uneducated .
Doc, it was lovely to hear about that trip to the gallery with Fred. Sandra was often telling me tales about their adventures, happy memories of having him visit us in Lewes.
What a great celebration - first time I ever went the Musical Traditions club I was on a day off from a little tour of southern England, and staying with Ron Kavana, I think Len Graham was the guest, I was not sober! about 1998 I think! So glad the club is still going, congratulations to you all, and many many more years in front of ye!
We play Mike's version of this, on the radio, as much as I think I can here in the mountains of New Mexico. She did a fantastic job of this song and it's great with the chorus as well.
Just got wind of their ostracising from the national morris dancing organisation earlier but it looks like the lugenpresse and other professional victims have been after them for at least six years. Hope they continue on the tradition and don't back down, always good to see a bit of local culture about the place.
Outrageous, shameful depiction of our coloured bretheren. And to think Dave Wight the vicar of bradford goes every year on a pub crawl , in support of this racist parade. Clippity clop clop clop.
@Rainy Murphy I was being ironical flower, remember, a little light humour?? As my mate Dave goes every year and i can't anymore because my legs are shot. Anyway I enjoyed the spectacle when I saw the boys . A wonderful dance and session in Pub .I'm quite aware it's not racist. It was a wind up so calm down. What a world we live in finknottle old bean.Clippity clop.
Other blackface tradition also comes from even more ancient roots, the Germanic tribal ancestors of Saxons who painted themselves black to represent shadow and death in their religious rituals and wars. I think "Survive the Jive" has a video or two on it as well as other Morris traditions, things like the 'obby 'oss and so on.
How blessed are us to have had this INCREDIBLE music as part of our heritage. My heroes when growing up and was truly overwhelmed when Louis headlined at the INCREDIBLE but now gone Songs of Sail and I will remember my time with him forever. Thank you to all the true heroes of my youth.
