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• CJS2/10 Folk tunes collected by Cecil Sharp
• CJS2/10/2815 Sowerby Sword Dance Song (This record)

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• CJS1/8/2/2 Places where sword dances had existed formerly
• CJS1/8/2/2/15 Postcard from Rev. W. Kingsley to Cecil Sharp (4 Dec 1912) re Sharp's enquiry about sword dancing (This record)

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• This record is referenced in the Roud Bibliography by X4675

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• DT60590 Miserlou
• DT73798 Sowerby Sword Dance Play (This record)

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• t

  INDEX

   

  Abbott's Bromley Horn Dance, 237.
  Description by W.Tunningclifter, 3.
  Abingdon Morris, 102.
  Ann Alike, 13.

  
  Bampton Morris, 70.
  Basque Morris, 108.
  Blackwell Morris, 77, 106, 122.
  Blagden Sword Dance, 206.
  Bledington Morrise, 89, 96.
  Blue eyed Stranger (A.G.G.), 16.
  Boam John
  Broom Stern, 42.
  Frog Dance, 42.
  Wrastling Crib, 42.
  Bonny Green Garters (Kimber) 37, 40.
  Brackley Morris, 9, 92.
  Brailes Morris, 136.
  Broom Stem (J Boam), 42.

  
  Chambers Mediaeval Stage (notes), 159.
  Chanties (Bibliography), 1.
  Cheltenham Morris, 19.
  Chipping Campden Morris, 137.
  Chipping Campden Mummers'Fool, 93.
  Clifford's Mesne Morris, 188.
  Country Dance , desription by W. Tunninclifter, 3.
  Country Gardens, (Kimber), 34.
  Crying the Neck, 55.
  Cushion Dance, 78.

  
  d'Arcy de Ferrars, History of revival of Morris, 256.
  Ducklington Morris, 144.

  
  Earsdon Sword Dance, 207.
  Eynsham Morris, 100.

  
  Field Town Morris, 78,258.
  Flail Dance, 188.
  Frog Dance (J Boam), 42.

  
  Galoubert, 21.
  Girl I left behind me, 15, 16.
  Grenoside Sword Dance, 193.

  
  Hathaway, Wm. 40.
  Headingtom Controversy (Miss Neal), 247.
  Headley sword dance picture, 226.
  Hobby Horse
  Abbott's Bromley, 3 237.
  Minehead, 23.
  Padstow, 30
  description of wood cut, 26.

  
  Ilmington Morris, 133, 187.

  
  Jockie to the Fair, 80.

  
  Kimber's letters
  Bonny Green Garters, 37.
  Country Gardens, 14.
  Kirtland Lamb Ale, 35.
  Peeling Horn, 36.
• t

  Shepherd's Hey, 34.
  Willow Tree, 37.
  Kirkby Malzeard Sword Dance, 150, 227, 230.
  Kirklington Morris, A 34.
  Kirkland Lamb Ale, (Kimber), 35.

  
  Leicestershire Wassailing, 98.
  Little Barrington Morris, 69.
  Longborough Morris, 138.
  Longhope Morris, 85
  Lower Swell Morris, 79.

  
  May Day Song, Pillerton, 245.
  Mayhill Morris, 189.
  Maypole Dance, (Miss Sorby), 18.
  Maypole Dance, (George Wright), 41.
  Mediaeval Stage, Chamber's, (notes), 159.
  Minehead Hobby Horse, 23.
  Morris Dance Description, by Jane Brailey, 7.
  Morris Dance Description, by Emily Kemp, 4.
  History of Revival, by d'Arcy de Ferrars, 256.
  MORRIS DANCE TRADITIONS
  Abingdon, 102.
  Bampton, 70.
  Basque, 108.
  Blackwell, 77, 106, 122, 131.
  Brailes, 136.
  Brimfield, 95.
  Cheltenham, 19.
  Chipping Campden, 137.
  Clifford's Mesne, 188.
  Ducklington, 144.
  Eynsham, 207
  Field Town, 78, 258.
  Ilmington, 133, 187
  Kirklington, 124.
  Little Barrington, A.68.
  Longborough, 138.
  Lower Swell, 79.
  Mayhill, 189.
  Naunton, 81.
  North Leach, 84.
  North Leigh, 142.
  Ormskirk, 17.
  Peopleton, 90.
  Pershore, 91.
  Ruardean, 88.
  Sherborne, 54, 101.
  Sowerby Bridge, 39.
  Spelsbury, 123.
  Toddenham, 136.
  Whatcot, 136.
  White Ladies Aston, 91.
  Winster, 41.
  Withington, 83.
  Yardley Gobian, 99.
  MORRIS DANCE TUNES.
  Anne Alike, 102.
  Blue Eyed Stranger (A.G.G.), 16.
  Bonny Green Garters, (Kimber), 37, 40.
  Country Gardens, (Kimber), 34.
  Girl I left behind me, 15,16.
  Jockie to the Fair, (A.G.G), 80.
  Oxford Morris Tune, 1789, 21.
  Rigs o' Marlow, (A.G.G.), 16.
  Shepherds' Hey,(L.E.B.), 13.
  Shepherds' Hey, (Kimber), 34.
  Sherborne Jig (words), 94.
  Willow Tree, (Kimber), 38.
• t

  Naunton Morris, 81.
  North Leach Morris, 84.
  North Leigh Morris, 132.

  
  Ormskirk Inn Morris, 17.
  Oxford Morris Tune 1789, 21.

  
  Padstow Hobby Horse, 30.
  Peeling Horn, (Kimber), m 36.
  Peopleton Morris, 90.
  Pershore Morris, 91.
  Pillerton May Day Song, 245.

  
  Rigs o' Marlow (A.G.G.), 16
  Ruardean Morris, 88.

  
  Saghill Sword Dance, 226.
  Shepherds' Hey (L.E.B.) 13
  Shepherds' Hey (Kimber), 34.
  Sherbourne Jig (Words), 94
  Sherborne Morris (Simpson), 54, 101.
  Shetland Sword Dance (Scott's Pirate), 190.
  Simpson, George, 54, 101.
  Sowerby Bridge Morris, 123.
  Stillington Sword Dance, 148.
  Sussex Wassailing, 97.
  SWORD DANCE TRADITIONS
  Blagden, 206
  Earsdon, 100
  Kirkby Malzeard, 100, 150,227.
  Grenoside, 193.
  Saghill, 226.
  Stillington, 148.
  Swalwell, 202
  Winlaton, 229

  
  Toddenham Morris, 136.
  Triumph, (words), 94.

  
  Waissailing, Leicestershire, 98.
  Waissailing, Sussex, 97.
  Whatcot Morris, 136.
  White Ladies Aston Morris, 91.
  Willow Tree, (Kimber), 38
  Winlaton Sword Dance, 229.
  Winster Dances, 41.
  Withington Morris, 83.
  Wrestling Crib, (J Boam), 42.

  
  Yardley Gobian Morris, 99

   

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• CJS2/11/1 Folk Dance Notes Vol. 1
• CJS2/11/1/262 Index (This record)

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• t

  25/
  Sowerby Sword Dance

  Thomas Sadler (77) one of the original dancers. Mr Buckle, the fiddler , died last xmas, Mr Michael Bulmer and Mr Geo Wright
  are also old dancers and the following information [has] here gathered from all three, chiefly Sadler and Wright.
  The dance lapsed about 30 years ago, Mr Sadler danced for over 30 years.

   

  There were six dancers wearing high hats without ribbons, [frock] jackets covered with rosettes and bows of ribbon " as many as each could put on" They [twice told] "which could be smartest" White trousers and clean boots. If a man's trousers were not clean and he
  boots also each morning of the week in which they danced he was fined 6d. One year they danced with black faces.

  
  The leader was often called the King, there were 3 clowns one of whom was dressed like a woman with crinoline. and a
  fiddler and a drummer.the entertainment began by one of the dancers speaking the following lines;-
• t

  26/
  make room , make room, have boys

  And give us room to sport

  For in this place

  We mean to exalt ([ ? ]) resort.

  
  Exalt, exalt and show you many rhymes
  Gentlemen and Ladies it is dance times
  Xmas comes but once a year
  When it comes it brings good cheer
  Roast beef boiled beef
  Yule cake and apple pie
  But very small shares for you and I
  (This last line [by] clown who interrupts)

   

  Then the 5 dancers (no 1 has not yet made his entry) sing

  
  Our King is coming in
  Dressed in his grand array
  He'll call his young men all
  By one, by two, by three.

   

  The King (no 1) then enters and sings the usual "calling on" song of which Geo Wright could only remember the following;
• t

  27/
  The first that I call on
  He is the Squire's son
  He courted three young ladies
  And swears he'll marry none.

   

  The next that I'll call on
  He's a tailor bold
  He stitches.......
  And serves both young and old.

   

  (They were remembered by Geo Wright only and were not given me by Sadler. Bulmer declared there were never any at all; indeed included in his [remit] the whole of the opening ceremony)

   

  The dancers followed the King round in a circle in the usual was as they were [genrally] called on. When all were called they say together
  You've seen us all go round
  Think of us what you will
  [munnie still] up a play
  The Lass of Richmond ([queried] by Wright) Hill
• t

  28/
  The Dance

   

  The Clash

  As usual

   

  Over your own and neighbour's sword.

   

  First once round, each leaping his own sword , c. cl; then once round each jumping over his neighbour's sword, clockwise.

   

  Single Under
  Apparently as at Kirkby, but not at all certain

   

  Single over

  As usual, but [audience] untrustworthy.

   

  The Lock
  Both Sadler and Bulmer declared that when Clown came into the middle of the ring, each man thrust [toward] his sword at the clown.
• t

  29/
  Shoulders and locked there. But neither could explain how this was done, although Bulmer tried to show me.
  Then the dancers, each holding his own hilt, danced round (8 bars) and there on middle beat of last bar drew his sword.
  This they called "killing the Clown" the Clown in [question] was the one dressed like a woman.
  The clown now fell down , feigning death and making a queer object with his large crinoline.

   

  The King then sang

  Bold "Hector" now is dead
  And on the ground  is laid
  Young men you'll have to suffer
  For this I'm sore afraid

   

  No 6
  Don't lay the blame on me
  I am clear of the facts
  I am sure my eyes were shut
  When this young man did fall.
• t

  30/
  The King

   

  How could you guys be shut
  When you were looking on
  When you were looking on
  When this [polar] crime (died) was done.

   

  No 6

   

  Since you've laid the blame on me
  [You] villains all at last
  Down on my bended knee
  The pardon I will ask

   

  A Clown

   

  Arise young man
  And a pardon you shall have
  Is there [never] a doctor in this place
  This young man's life can spare

   

  The King

   

  A doctor, a doctor to be found! I'll give
  £5 for a doctor, If there's never a doctor, I'll give £10 for a doctor.

   

  The doctor then enters with a small bottle in his hand
  saying; I'm a doctor [ryht & guard]
  And with my sword, I've lanced [blard]

   

  The King

  
  How came there to be a doctor?

  I'll give £10 for a doctor
• t

  31/
  Doctor

  
  By My Travels

   

  King

  
  How far have you travelled?

   

  Doctor

  
  I have travelled for [HittieKittie]
  Where there's neither land house nor city
  And I have travelled England, Ireland
  Scotland and Wales, High Low Germany
  Africa, Asia, America, France Spain.
  And now I'll return to cure this young man
  Which his have on this [stain] (sic)

   

  King

  
  Well! doctor, waht is thy fee

   

  Doc

  
  Tenpounds

   

  King

  
  Pooh, Pooh, that is sadly too much doctor!

   

  Doc

  
  Well it's only [losing] my labour and
  Coming and going back again

   

  King

  
  Well doctor, I'll see thee paid or unpaid in the morning.

   

  Doc

  
  Well a bird in the hand is worth
  two in the bush.

   

  King

  
  Well doctor can you cure this young man?

   

  Doc

  
  Yes ([gives] him all [contents] of his bottle and applies to his nose)
• t

  32/

  Arise! Arise.

  Clown (getting up )sings.

  Good morning Gentlemen
  A sleeping I have been
  I have had such a sleep
  As the like was never seen
  A sleeping I have been
  But now I am awake
  So now I must away
  And see the doctor paid

   

  All

   

  Then it's gentry and [gentry] all stand in a [row]
  I wish you no manner of ill
  I wish you all sweethearts that you and me count
  So ladies we'll bid you farewell . (See Tunebook)

   

  This concluded the entertainment. The whole was only done on special occasions eg when visiting
  a great house. Ordinarily they did the dance.
  only without killing the clown and with the omission of opening lines

  Sadler said the musicians usually played "The Girl I left behind me" or ["Downfalls a palace"]
• t

  33/
  They danced for six day beginning on first
  Monday after Xmas so long as that was not
  market day
  They [took] a house for a month from [Matinmas] and practiced every day paying rent for it.

  The following lines of the calling on song have been sent to me by Mr Geo Wright

   

  King

  
  The first that I call on
  His name is King Tom
  He has got loves three
  But swears he' marry none

   

  King Tom

  
  If I should marry none
  The others would me slight
  So its best to marry none
  And make them all [alike]

   

  King

  
  The next I call on
  He is the Squires Son
  He merely (nearly?) lost his love
  Because he was too young
• t

  34/

  Squire's Son

  
  Although I am too young
  I've money for to rove
  I'll surely spend it all
  Before I'll lose my love

   

  King

  
  The next that I call on               
  He is a tailor bold                        
  Stitches for woman's [kind]        
  And serves both young and old   

   

  New with my [goose I press]

  The clothes I've fashioned well

  And make you all the[e] dress

  Makes [man look] quite a swell[1]

   

  The last that I call on
  The gentleman's son, he was born
  For bacon and beef, just look at his teeth
  He's a laddie for picking a [love]

   

  We are six Sowerby Lads
  As [blythe] as you may see
  We dance you a sword dance
  To please the company

  1. This paragraph is in line with the one above, line for line, It appears to be the "tailor's" response. In other dances the tailor says their bit after the King has introduced them, perhaps this was a call and answer, or a later addition? 

• t

  35/

  5th

  
  Then next I call on
  It is Bold Robin Hood
  He makes his arrows fly
  In merry old Sherwood

   

  Bold Robin Hood am I
  Along with Little John
  We'll make our foes to fly
  If they be ten to one.

   

  Or

   

  The next that call on
  He is a sailor true
  With Nelson at Trafalgar
  He did his duty [do]

   

  I mean to act my part
  Though [we] be called to war
  I will my duty do
  A Jolly English Tar

Transcription

Relationships

• CJS2/11/3 Folk Dance Notes Vol. 3
• CJS2/11/3/25 Sowerby Sword Dance (This record)

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