Midsummer Fair

Album: English Folk Songs (1904)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Although this West Country song can be construed as a variation of the world famous "Widdicombe Fair," it is sufficiently different to be considered a separate composition. Information on it can be found in Volume II of the 1974 Oxford University Press edition of Cecil Sharp's Collection Of English Folk Songs, which was edited by Maud Karpeles.

    "Midsummer Fair" was sung to the collector by John Gartell age 63 at Castle Cary, Somerset, on December 28, 1907, and earlier, by 61 year old Joseph Cornelius at Shepton Beauchamp, Somerset, on August 16, 1904.

    In the Gartell version, the grey mare is ridden to Portsdon Fair with "Uncle Tom Tobly and all," while in the Cornelius version, although Tom Pearce is featured, there is no mention of any uncle. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.