Personae

The Knights Ghost

Hidden People - (new)

Jackie's Song

Written about the discovery of a mysterious whale that sings in the ‘wrong key’ at a frequency of 52 Hertz. This is much lower than other whales and experts believe that it roams lonely-hearted around the oceans.

Tomorrow Will Follow Today

52 Hertz

Kathryn’s heartfelt advice to her young daughters as they navigate the choppy waters of childhood. Recorded live at home on her trusty piano in the Walkham Valley on Dartmoor.

A Song To Live By

This traditional Child ballad portrays a shocking tale of incest, betrayal and murder. 

Child Owlet

A tale of a Russian river-dwelling mermaid.

Rusalka

South of Mexico City sits the ‘Isla de las Munecas’. Created by a doll-collecting hermit in memory of a drowned child.

La Moneca

Every dog has their day. The most notable political intentions can fall foul of corruption, time and time again.

Down, Dog!

Tomorrow Will Follow Today
Roberts/Lakeman

A Protest song which questions our political masters’ overweening pride, and whether the holders of power rely on the turning of the days, months and years to soften the blows of their own ambition?

Soft The Morning Sun
Roberts/Lakeman

Being far away from a loved one - hoping they are missing you too.

Soft The Morning Sun

The Robber Bridegroom
Trad.Arr. Roberts/Lakeman

Learnt from the singing of Derek and Dorothy Elliott.

The Robber Bridegroom

The Banishing Book
Roberts/Lakeman

Based on ‘The Maid’s Conjuring Book’ from Thomas D’Urfey’s ‘Songs of Wit and Mirth’.

The Banishing Book

Taken from the 8 track EP 'Saved For A Rainy Day' by Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman - 2016.  Exclusively only available from their live shows throughout Spring 2016.

Evening Star

All musicians have a favourite instrument and most of them have their own personality.

My Piano and I

This is the first track taken from Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman's new + fifth studio album 'Personae'. Released March 9th. 
A traditional Child Ballad, 'The Knights Ghost' features the fast rising folk star  Sam Kelly on Guest vocals.

Here is the cutest song ever ! I wrote it for my little girls to encourage better behaviour through the use of a home made star reward chart. They love to sing so Sean recorded us.

smile and shine - reward song

Independence

Tribute Of Hands

Standing at my Window


You are standing at my window and I call to you. 
Remember what you said to me, you promised you were mine. 
You are standing in the doorway and I call to you. 
You said that you would follow me wherever I desired .

Father can't you hear him , he's come to take me home. 
Down into the depths of hell where surely he belongs. 
Father won't you help me, be my saving grace. 
He has ridden half the night to take me to my grave. 

If I said that I'd go with you it was but in jest, 
you were just to pass the time I never loved you best. 
I have never laid a flower on your granite stone. 
You are damned for evermore to wander on your own.

You are standing here in my room and I reach for you. 
I have braved the pale moonlight to take you to my home. 
You are standing at my bedside and I reach for you. 
Very soon the sun will rise and with you I must come 

I am lying here beside you can you feel my bones ?
You will feel the chill black earth before the morning comes. 
I am holding you tight to me you cannot go free .
You must ride upon my horse and spend eternity with me. 

Mark Chadwick - Vocals
Sam Lakeman - Piano
Seth Lakeman - Violin
Ben Nicholls - Bass
Iain Goodall - Drums

Hidden People

Standing At My Window

The Wisdom of Standing Still.


Sit down, take a deep breath.
Forget about climbing your hill.
Close your eyes let the world hurry by,
see the wisdom of standing still.

Switch off, don't say a word.
Take the chance to relax if you will.
Enjoy the sunset or gaze at the stars,
see the wisdom of standing still.

Twenty four hours a whirlwind surrounds you,
time is the foe of all men.
How can you see all the fine things around you?
Slow down, make space again.

So come in and sit by the fire,
and pass me your glass to refill.
The rat-race can spare you an hour or so,
see the wisdom of standing still.

Time is for wasting , losing and making,
time is for sharing with friends.
Those who adore you will always implore you
to slow down and make space again.

So come home with me
and pass me your glass to refill.
Bask in the silence and revel in peace,
see the wisdom of standing still.


Ben Nicholls - Bass
Jamie Pryke - Drums

The Wisdom Of Standing Still

Lusty Smith

A fine young smith at a vice stood filing,
his hammer out and his forge aglow.
When to him a young maid came smiling
and asked if to work in her forge he'd go.
" I will " said the smith and they went together
along to the lady's forge did go.
They stripped to the waist hot work , hot weather
he lit her fire and she made him blow.

Her husband , she said , no work he gave her. 
His tools were worn out long ago.
The smith said " Mine are in good order
and I'm prepared my skill to show ".
Hot grew his iron as both desired
and he was wise to strike while so.
She said " what I get is out of the fire
so please strike home and redouble the blow ".

Six times did his iron by vigorous heating
grow soft in her forge in a minute or so.
As oft was hardened still was beating,
it softened more and hardened slow.
When he rose to go she said in sorrow
" I wish my husband could do so.
With your hammer come tomorrow,
but can we try once more before you go ".

Seth Lakeman - Violin

Lusty Smith

The White Hind.

Daughter you look pale and white and weary through the day.
Tell me why you leave each night and will not stay.
Forever in the bright daylight as a young girl I can go,
but I change at even-time to a pure white doe.

Three times they'll chase her down, three times she'll run away.
The fourth time that they chase her down her life they'll take.

They chase me through the forest green with hounds and hunting men,
and it is my own brother dear that rides with them.
Oh beg him now to stay his hand and hold his hounds at bay,
for I can break this curse if I can make midday.

Oh son , will you not stay inside and will you leash your hounds ?
For that white hind you hunt each night is your own blood.
I will ride the forest green and I will not stay my hand
and I will claim the finest hind that roams the land.

Three times they chased her down, three times she's run away.
The fourth time that they chased her down, the white hind they did slay.

Oh son of mine I beg of you , where's my daughter dear ?
I hear a young girls voice ring out sweet and clear.
My heart is on the table and my blood is on the floor.
My bones are roasting on the coals, I'll return no more.

'The White Hind' is based upon the traditional french song, 'La Biche Blanche.'

Caroline Herring - Vocals
Dave Burland - Vocals
Jim Moray - Vocals
Ben Nichols - Bass

The White Hind

The Ballad of Andy Jacobs

Andy Jacobs drifted in and settled down into his favourite chair,
he let his mind wander for a while.
She watched his eyes unfocus, seeing things she didn't know were there,
but he caught her eye and broke into a smile.
He said " Cassie love we've decided.
Cassie love, I'm not sure I chose the right side,
but tomorrow I'll be standing on the line ".

Cassie took his hand in hers and said " I've never seen your face look so pale,
It reminds me of the first time we met.
You were standing at the bar and you looked nervous and I thought that you'd be sick,
but we laughed together 'til last orders rang.
You said,  ' Cassie love I've decided,
Cassie love, you're the one I want to be with
and soon you'll be standing by my side.
I'll make you my bride in this fine month of April.' "

" For fifteen years I've worked down there and I'm not afraid to leave without a fight,
but I'm sure this'll be over in a week.
From the Cenotaph tomorrow we will march and let them see just how we're feeling.
We'll let them know we're not afraid to strike.
But Cassie love, it might be hard.
Cassie love, we've kids to feed and no money saved,
but at least I'm standing for what I believe in."

Cassie took his hand in hers and said, " I'll stand beside you all the way,
just promise me you won't cause any trouble."
As the month got underway Andy started coming home much less,
the kids almost forgot what he looked like.
" Cassie love, I thought you understood.
Cassie love, we're fighting for our way of life
And I have to help the lads out on the line.
They'll not make me a fool in this fine month of April."

Just to raise a little cash Andy went back to the only thing he knew,
illegal but he saw no other way.
Digging coal from the banks of the train-tracks and selling it on,
digging in the dark so no-one saw.
" Cassie love, I've let you down.
Cassie love, this hasn't gone the way I planned,
I never thought that I'd be living off the land."

Then one evening he went down to find some kids had set the signal box alight ,
he watched as it was razed to the ground.
But the seam below caught fire and Andy's coal burned just out of sight.
He hid and watched the flames grow higher.
" Cassie love, the smoke kept rising.
Cassie love, it was like watching my hopes and fears,
I'm afraid I won't re-build them for many years.
Maybe I'm a fool in this fine month of April.
Maybe I'm a fool to put you all through this.
Perhaps I should have listened to my conscience,
maybe I'm a fool,
maybe I'm a fool. "

The Ballad Of Andy Jacobs

Hang the Rowan

You can beg, you can plead, 
you can fall onto your knees 
I will have my recompense.
You can run, you can hide, 
you won't escape the lies 
I will have my vengeance. 

Hang the rowan round the doorway 
even here you are not safe , keep your family beside you. 
Lock the doors , attend your children. 
Keep the fire burning bright , count the hours 'til morning. 
Nine long years you've kept your secret. 
How you dread this time of year. 
Justice reaches out to take you, 
take back the child you stole from me. 
I am flying through the forest, 
walking old familiar ways, bringing night at my heels. 
I am come to keep my promise. 
I am here to stake my claim, your untruth to reveal. 
On that night in dark November 
when you offered me your word. 
Took my only daughter from me ,
hoping that no-one , no-one had heard. 

Tonight will be your final chance 
to confess your great mistake. 
My life you took in your own hands, 
I will hound you to your grave. 

I turned to you for guidance, 
cast aside by love and faith, I thought you were my saviour. 
You sheltered me from danger, 
kept me safe from prying eyes, modified my behaviour .
As you eased my child from me, my precious ray of hope. 
Laid your cunning hands upon me, and placed around my neck a silken rope. 


Ben Nicholls - Bass
Tobias May - Drums

Hang The Rowan

Money or Jewels
The sun was high as they wandered down to the fair, 
the village was gathering by. 
The girls over one side, waiting for young men to dare, 
waiting for someone to try. 
When he asked her to dance as the music began 
with his hands at her waist , he held her and 
span by the light from the trees in the square 
to music that no-one else heard . 
She whispered to him " it feels like I'm dancing on air 
and I float with the grace of a bird ".
Well she remembers that glorious day 
when he leant in close to gently say, 

" I can't offer you money or jewels ,
I can't house you in mansion or hall. 
I have nothing , nothing to give you except my love . " 

They walked out for a year and wed at the turning of spring 
with May blossom crowning the trees. 
The boredom took hold as she waited for life to begin, 
he left her to do as she pleased. 
Behind closed doors as she lay on her bed 
he leant in close and gently said, 

So he stole from family and friends . 
He stole from the church, though he always intended 
to pay what was owed after pleasing his wife. 
Nothing he did was ever enough. 

When they came to the door, to take him away. 
He leant in close to gently say,
 
" I have given you money and jewels ,
I provided with all you desired. 
You have taken all I could give you 
except my love. "


Stu Hannah - Vocals
Ben Nicholls - Bass

Money Or Jewels

Oxford , N.Y.

Mother, don't turn out the light 
please don't leave me here alone. 
To face the horrors of the night 
you know I can't sleep on my own. 
He was known throughout the town. 
Every night as evening fell 
he turned and wept against the wall. 
With every breath he begged them. 

Please don't lay me six feet down, 
let me see the sky and stars. 
Lay me in a coffin made of glass. 

Mother, don't block out the sun, 
please don't lay me under stone .
Let me see the morning come 
you know I can't sleep all alone. 

Years passed by he lay there still ,
until they cleared his bones away. 
His voice was carried on the wind 
searching for his body. 

oh Mother, lay my bones to rest. 
Lay me down and leave me here 
in the town that I love best, 
you know I can't sleep without fear .

Iain Goodall - Drums

Oxford, N.Y

Huldra

One girl likes to dress in red
with ribbons in her hair.
She dances like a summer breeze 
as light as morning air.
The other likes to dress in white 
and run so speedily,
and sing so sweetly she can charm
the birds down from the trees.

One girl likes to catch your eye
and quickly look away,
she teases with a gentle smile
and holds you in her sway.
The other likes to take your hand
and lead you through the night,
and lay you down upon a bed
of purest blossom white.

Never stray far from home
Never stray far from home

Fall prey to seduction and 
satisfy them well.
They'll entice you every night
until you break the spell.
Loveliness will face you
but they'll never let you see,
from behind each girl's a hollow trunk
a blackened, rotting tree.

The red girl will pluck out your eyes
and wear them as her own.
She will make you beg and cry
and wish you stayed at home.
The white girl will cut out your tongue
and sing a tune so fine,
they have lured many men
and left them mute and blind.

Never take a glass of wine
with these sisters two.
They'll tear apart your body
'til there's nothing left of you.
The red girl will drain your blood
to dye her dresses in.
The white girl will carve your bones
and wear your teeth and skin.


Cara Dillon - Vocals
Caroline Herring - Vocals
Greta Bondesson - Vocals
Sadie Lobb - Vocals

Huldra

Standing at My Window

The Ballad of Andy Jacobs

The Wisdom of Standing Still

Money or Jewels

Hang the Rowan (Spike Drake Mix)

KATHRYN ROBERTS & SEAN LAKEMAN

DUOS COME AND DUOS GO... AND SOME NURTURE AND FINE TUNE THEIR ART AND WATCH IT GROW INTO SOMETHING TOTALLY ORIGINAL, CAPTIVATING AND AWARD-WINNING. 

BONDED BY AN UNSEEN ALCHEMY, KATHRYN ROBERTS AND SEAN LAKEMAN HAVE ENTWINED THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP INTO AN ENVIABLE CLASS ACT OF IMAGINATIVE SONGWRITING AND MUSICIANSHIP.

THE DARTMOOR-BASED HUSBAND AND WIFE HAVE TWICE WON THE COVETED BEST DUO TITLE AT THE BBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARDS (2016 & 2013), CONSISTENTLY DELIVERING ASSURED, DISTINCTIVE PERFORMANCES WHETHER LIVE OR RECORDED. OVER TWO DECADES OF PERFORMANCE THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN TRAPPED IN A GROOVE – ALWAYS BOLD AND INNOVATIVE, MIXING TRADITIONAL SONG ARRANGEMENTS WITH  THEIR SELF-PENNED MATERIAL WHICH REELS FROM THE BITTER TO THE SWEET, THE WRY TO THE SAD, THE POLITICAL TO THE PASSIVE.

 THE COUPLE’S INTIMACY AND STRENGTH OF PASSION ON STAGE HAVE WON THEM MANY FANS AND AN ENVIABLE REPUTATION AS ‘SONGWRITERS PAR EXCELLENCE’- (FROOTS),  WHOSE GREATLY VARIED ORIGINAL SONGS COVER SUCH SUBJECTS AS WICKED MERMAIDS, NORWEGIAN LEGENDS, AND A LONELY WHALE. 

WITH A STORY THAT INCLUDES OVER 20 YEARS OF MUSIC MAKING WITH THE LIKES OF SETH LAKEMAN, CARA DILLON, LEVELLERS, FOTHERINGAY, KATE RUSBY AND SHOW OF HANDS, KATHRYN ROBERTS AND SEAN LAKEMAN HAVE CONSOLIDATED THEMSELVES AS PILLARS OF MODERN BRITISH FOLK. 

“An absolute masterclass in how to do it right.” – Festivalsforall.com

“Kathryn Roberts smoky, assertive vocals are a tasty feast for listeners craving music that requires a sharp mind and an open heart.”  – Billboard Magazine 

‘As a guitarist, producer and co-songwriter, Sean Lakeman is one of the unsung heroes of modern British folk’ – MOJO

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