This is an old Manx folk tune, which means it is not really English. Anyone who has ever played in a concert band will probably recognize it as one of the four Manx tunes Haydn Wood used in his composition "Mannin Veen"
Heard them sing at Fleetwood folk festival about 20 odd years ago - friends walked out before they started as they said 'Hey Nonny No' type music is not folk music - I stayed, listened to Norma sing, and cried. She has the best voice I have ever heard in my ife and together, they sound like someone has turned a massive 'voice fan' on - amazing. Amazing. Not being too weird, but this is a tune I have planned for my woodland burial in Cumbria. What a hippy! love it! looking for Dido Fido next!
Great stuff. I should point out that this photo is not of the original Watersons and not who sang this song in particular. Martin Carthy on the left joined in 1972, going on to marry Norma next to him. Lal sadly died in 1998. The original line up featured John Harrison, their cousin. I first saw them in The Bluebell Folk Club in Hull in the mid-sixties. Like all 60's people, I can't quite remember when exactly.......
@johncoops The lineup shown in the photo is not the original lineup, however they are the performers of this version of the song, it first appeared on the album "for pence and spicy ale".
@Percivaldurham Which albums of theirs do you have? Have you considered uploading any other songs from the Greatest Hits or "Frost and Fire"? When I moved abroad I had to leave my CD's at home. Since only a couple of songs from those albums have been uploaded, there is nothing from my collection that I miss more.
I don't have "Frost and Fire" All I have is a collection called "Early Days" and "For Pence and Spicy Ale." I was planning to put up a few more . Was there one you had in mind? Or would you rather I surprise you?
@Percivaldurham Yes, "Early Days" is the one I was calling Greatest Hits. Eventually humanity needs "The White Cockade" from that album to be on Youtube, but at the same time you can't go far wrong if you surprise me!
@Percivaldurham Some of us know who they are...I love 'em, but they are an aquired taste...Unless aband is full of plastic ppl and throwaway music the general population are too shallow to appreciate 'em...In the north/ south divide, they are northerers. I'm a southerner and I love them.....C'm ppl open your minds
@Cimasiello00 - so true! But we can call them the best kept secret of close harmony singing in the world. And Nora has a voice that makes the goose pimples on my back stand up that much, I am sure I am wearing a coat!
So lovely...thanks for posting this.
TasiaBrooklyn 2 months ago
I hardly know how to comment! Let the lovely traditional singing and traditional songs ring out their own praise, redens laudes Domino!
Horsemarine100 3 months ago
One of their hits. You could put up all their recordings but why don't you just buy all their CDs. From an old friend.
mouldybear 4 months ago
This is so beautiful - nobody does it better than the Watersons - it would nearly bring you back to christian belief. Nearly !
mickigoe 6 months ago
this is fantastic stuff
moominpic 7 months ago
This is an old Manx folk tune, which means it is not really English. Anyone who has ever played in a concert band will probably recognize it as one of the four Manx tunes Haydn Wood used in his composition "Mannin Veen"
reubenb33 7 months ago
this is the folk i like
shaftsbury94 8 months ago
R.I.P. Mike Waterson
runway27r 8 months ago
Fly, bird fly
On your raven wing
Take to the sky
and sing for the love of wheeling and turning.
I'm so sad and sorry, 6-21-2011
1776amg 8 months ago
'And far beyond this mortal shore, we'll meet with those who have gone before...'
susansashiko 8 months ago
R.I.P. Mike Waterson 6/22/11.
MarthaH605 8 months ago
Classic English folk music at it's best
neillconnor 9 months ago
Heard them sing at Fleetwood folk festival about 20 odd years ago - friends walked out before they started as they said 'Hey Nonny No' type music is not folk music - I stayed, listened to Norma sing, and cried. She has the best voice I have ever heard in my ife and together, they sound like someone has turned a massive 'voice fan' on - amazing. Amazing. Not being too weird, but this is a tune I have planned for my woodland burial in Cumbria. What a hippy! love it! looking for Dido Fido next!
19davo66 9 months ago
The uncredited b&w photograph used here is by the late Keith Morris, © The Estate Of Keith Morris
fRootsmag 11 months ago
If you've got a drop of English blood in you this will set it stirring. Total goosebumps.
banjoist123 1 year ago
70's were a good time...Glad i didn't miss it..
429cuinTbird 1 year ago
wonderful stuff!
peskirabbit 1 year ago
Great stuff. I should point out that this photo is not of the original Watersons and not who sang this song in particular. Martin Carthy on the left joined in 1972, going on to marry Norma next to him. Lal sadly died in 1998. The original line up featured John Harrison, their cousin. I first saw them in The Bluebell Folk Club in Hull in the mid-sixties. Like all 60's people, I can't quite remember when exactly.......
johncoops 1 year ago
@johncoops The lineup shown in the photo is not the original lineup, however they are the performers of this version of the song, it first appeared on the album "for pence and spicy ale".
rillenkarren 1 year ago
such gorgeous sounds :)
EngelNr666 1 year ago 2
People have no taste. How are the Watersons not more famous? Who can honestly say they have heard better music than this?
Cimasiello00 1 year ago 11
@Cimasiello00
It's just one of those things. I was stunned when I was in England and nobody knew who they were. I was starting to think I was the only fan.
Percivaldurham 1 year ago
@Percivaldurham Which albums of theirs do you have? Have you considered uploading any other songs from the Greatest Hits or "Frost and Fire"? When I moved abroad I had to leave my CD's at home. Since only a couple of songs from those albums have been uploaded, there is nothing from my collection that I miss more.
Cimasiello00 1 year ago
I don't have "Frost and Fire" All I have is a collection called "Early Days" and "For Pence and Spicy Ale." I was planning to put up a few more . Was there one you had in mind? Or would you rather I surprise you?
Percivaldurham 1 year ago
@Percivaldurham Yes, "Early Days" is the one I was calling Greatest Hits. Eventually humanity needs "The White Cockade" from that album to be on Youtube, but at the same time you can't go far wrong if you surprise me!
Cimasiello00 1 year ago
@Percivaldurham
Do you have the track King Pharim? If so I'd greatly appreciate an upload.
Celt707 1 month ago
@Percivaldurham Some of us know who they are...I love 'em, but they are an aquired taste...Unless aband is full of plastic ppl and throwaway music the general population are too shallow to appreciate 'em...In the north/ south divide, they are northerers. I'm a southerner and I love them.....C'm ppl open your minds
MrSirDel 3 months ago
@Cimasiello00 - so true! But we can call them the best kept secret of close harmony singing in the world. And Nora has a voice that makes the goose pimples on my back stand up that much, I am sure I am wearing a coat!
19davo66 8 months ago
this is 100% English and brilliant Vocals!!!
yugster78 2 years ago
That's why I picked it. I love the "Englishness" of this song so much.
Percivaldurham 2 years ago 2