This episode we're joined by the comedian Stewart Lee who is asking you to reimagine Willie of Winsbury, an odd tale of illicit love, a pansexual ghost, and denunciation of property rights. Stewart unpicks some of the rich symbolism at the heart of this beguiling popular folk song and we explore how one man’s accident in the mid-20th century may (or may not) have come to dominate the song’s recent history of interpretation.

Check out Stewart’s documentary King Rocker here: https://www.sky.com/watch/channel/sky-arts/king-rocker

Watch Stewart’s chart topping track ‘Coming Over Here’ with Asian Dub Foundation here: https://youtu.be/_kkOHtniTts

/// TAKE PART ///

Score, chords & lyrics (.pdf): http://www.oldtunesfreshtakes.com/s/otft-scores-ep-8-willie-o-winsbury.pdf
Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6HylbPagq7y2tikY8RgIwb?si=EVhwCLTWTG-nJCqpXJRm5A
How to submit your take: oldtunesfreshtakes.com/how-to-submit

Stewart will be back again to listen to your takes in the second part of this episode released Monday 17 May. Remember to get your takes to us by Monday 10 May to feature! Drop us a message if you have any questions.

/// COMMUNITY ///

If you’re interested in getting deeper into the conversation, come and join our group on Facebook. There’s been some amazing chats over the last month with people sharing demos, feedback and ideas.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldtunesfreshtakescommunity 

/// MUSIC CREDITS ///

6:27 - Coming Over Here - Asian Dub Foundation
11:09 - Prayer for a Saint - Ustad Saami
18:55 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Dick Gaughan
21:55 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Anais Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer
24:27 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Dick Gaughan
30:41 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Anne Briggs
33:38 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Sweeney’s Men
38:17 - Lord Thomas of Winesbury and the King’s Daughter - Barbara Dickson
40:33 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Offa Rex
45:00 - Polly on the Shore - Stewart Lee and Stuart Estell

Hosted by @jacktherobot and @hevelwood

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Willie O' Winsbury // Stewart Lee - pt 1

Child Owlet

This is my take on traditional ballad "Child Owlet," inspired by Fats Waller's amazing pipe organ version of "Go Down Moses."

I played all the instruments.

Art by Seth Lachs.

"Child Owlet"

Lyke Wake Dirge

KP - Lady Gay - HEVELWOOD MIX

A take on The Ballad of King Arthur and King Cornwall for Thank Goodness It's Folk podcast.  Apparently we have no recorded versions of it previously to now!!

Featuring the hosts of Old Tunes Fresh Takes @jacktherobot and @hevelwood

Lyrics:
Seven heads of fiery breath, beaten by a page
And King Cornwall’s beastly head stuck up on a stave
So conjure thee, O Burlow Beanie, through teeth of high disdain
And take your wife, and take your life, and never be fooled again

Lady Queen Guinevere as ever stood proud
And meeting not King Arthur’s eye, addressed the man aloud
“Your pride in your Round Table humours me no end,
For Cornwall has a table worth all your gold and land”
Arthur took not a moment’s pause and rallied his finest men
And rode out West through strange country to seek King Cornwall’s end

Arriving in disguise at Cornwall’s gates of marbled stone,
A porter they did greet whose shoes were clad with gold.
Twas clear that none in Christendom were near as rich as he
So Arthur offered a ring so they might lodge and share some tea
A bitter meal Cornwall served as his suspicions ran high
Boasting affairs with Guinevere and claiming magic ties

At night when Arthur’s men were all vowing Cornwall’s death
A sprite of fourteen eyes they found with hooves and fiery breath
A sword, an axe, a knife they broke against the creature’s hide
An hour past, our men stood fast, we know not what they did
So Arthur knew, at end of all, his weapon was a book
Our Lord had penned it with his hands and sealed it with his blood

King Arthur And King Cornwall

Hevelwood - Child Owlet - KP’s Dry Roast Mix

My remix of @asymptotes incredible take on Lyke Wake Dirge, produced for @oldtunesfreshtakes.

asymptotes - lyke wake dirge - HEVELWOOD MIX

my remix of https://soundcloud.com/hevelwood/child-owlet

hevelwood's child owlet

My First Dog - Ten Horses In My Stable - KP’s Vintage Mix

Remix of @user-462126067's take on Child Owlet.

My First Dog - Ten Horses In My Stable - HEVELWOOD MIX

A monthly digital folk club and podcast where we learn and record a traditional folk song and encourage you to do the same. Open to musicians of all styles and abilities.

Willie O' Winsbury // Stewart Lee - pt 1

Old Tunes Fresh Takes

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