They released one Ep, E.P.onymous in October 2004, and five albums, Burlesque in October 2006, Matachin in October 2008, Hedonism in October 2010, Broadside in October 2012 and Revival in June 2014.
http://www.bellowhead.co.uk/releases.html
They announced in 2015 that the 2016 tour would be the last.
www.bellowhead.co.uk/home/item/142-thats-all-folks.html
Band Members ...
Jon Boden - lead vocals and fiddle
John Spiers - melodeon & concertina
Benji Kirkpatrick - bouzouki, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo
Paul Sartin - Fiddle, oboe and vocals
Rachael McShane - Cello, fiddle, vocals
Ed Neuhauser - Sousaphone, Helicon & Tuba
Pete Flood - percussion
Andy Mellon - trumpet & flugelhorn
Brendan Kelly - soprano & tenor saxes, bass clarinet
Justin Thurgur - trombone
Sam Sweeney - Fiddle, Bagpipes
www.bellowhead.co.uk/band.html
Fakenham Fair
Bellowhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A chance for 't meet with a carnival girl who was selling the fortunes there
try for a lamp or a spanish shawl or a golden filigree
but all the while her eyes were saying oh come take a chance on me
so swing around, the merry go round
give the wheel of fortune a whirl
the finest prize at fakenham fair
her eyes were blue her hair was brown her lips they were soft and red
and I've never seen a shape like hers and my eyes nearly popped from my head
for I was young and innocent oh but still even I could see
the way that she smiled and winked my way said come take a chance on me
so swing around, the merry go round
give the wheel of fortune a whirl
the finest prize at fakenham fair
is the pretty carnival girl
the old boys said she's not for you now what will the old people think
but I took my chance and I won that girl just as quick as an eye could wink
and the finest day in all my life whatever may come to pass
was the day that I went to fakenham fair and won me the carnival lass
so swing around, the merry go round
give the wheel of fortune a whirl
the finest prize at fakenham fair
is the pretty carnival girl
so swing around, the merry go round
give the wheel of fortune a whirl
the finest prize at fakenham fair
is the pretty carnival girl
Bellowhead’s “Fakenham Fair” tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a carnival girl at the Fakenham Fair. When he meets her, he becomes entranced by her beauty and allure. He tries to win her over by playing games and buying trinkets, but he soon realizes that she is more interested in him than his money. He takes a chance on her and wins her over, despite the disapproval of older members of the community.
The song captures the excitement and wonder of falling in love for the first time. The carnival setting provides a backdrop for the singer’s journey from innocence to experience. The lyrics are rich with imagery and evoke a strong sense of time and place. The repetitive chorus, “so swing around, the merry go round, give the wheel of fortune a whirl, the finest prize at Fakenham Fair is the pretty carnival girl,” adds to the dreamlike quality of the song.
Overall, “Fakenham Fair” is a charming, nostalgic ode to young love and the magic of carnivals. The song’s whimsical melody and catchy chorus make it a fan favorite at Bellowhead concerts.
Line by Line Meaning
I never really fell in love 'til I went out to fakenham fair
Going to Fakenham Fair made me fall in love for the first time
A chance for 't meet with a carnival girl who was selling the fortunes there
I met a carnival girl selling fortunes at the fair
try for a lamp or a spanish shawl or a golden filigree
I tried to win a lamp, shawl or filigree from the carnival games
but all the while her eyes were saying oh come take a chance on me
The carnival girl's eyes were telling me to take a chance on her
so swing around, the merry go round
I rode the merry go round
give the wheel of fortune a whirl
I spun the wheel of fortune
the finest prize at fakenham fair
The best prize at the fair
is the pretty carnival girl
Is the beautiful carnival girl
her eyes were blue her hair was brown her lips they were soft and red
The carnival girl had blue eyes, brown hair and soft, red lips
and I've never seen a shape like hers and my eyes nearly popped from my head
Her figure was so unique and attractive that it caught my attention
for I was young and innocent oh but still even I could see
Despite my innocence, I could still tell that the carnival girl was interested in me
the way that she smiled and winked my way said come take a chance on me
The carnival girl's flirty smile and wink encouraged me to pursue her
the old boys said she's not for you now what will the old people think
The older men warned me against pursuing the carnival girl because of social expectations
but I took my chance and I won that girl just as quick as an eye could wink
I took a chance on the carnival girl and quickly won her over
and the finest day in all my life whatever may come to pass
The day I won the carnival girl was the best day of my life
was the day that I went to fakenham fair and won me the carnival lass
I won the carnival girl at Fakenham Fair
so swing around, the merry go round
I rode the merry go round (repeated)
give the wheel of fortune a whirl
I spun the wheel of fortune (repeated)
the finest prize at fakenham fair
The best prize at the fair (repeated)
is the pretty carnival girl
Is the beautiful carnival girl (repeated)
Contributed by Vivian Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
theestever
That room-whirling, time-stopping perfect moment when the noise of the band and the chatter and the laugher becomes a distant thing and there is just you and her and you smile into each others eyes and hold the moment, stretching a heartbeat to the length of forever. Love the cutlery pot percussion!
Flora Miles
One of my favourite Bellowhead songs! So heartwarming.
Djbearrob
An incredible music force. I hope they make it to California some day!
rcD4tw
So awesomely relaxing. Unfortunately you miss a lot of the sound quality in youtube, one can pick up a lot of details.
GreenBallooooon
i was at both this perfromance and towersey festival and i can honestly say they get even better in small settings!
manuel4429
I hadn't hear about this group. A couple of minutes ago, I listened this this song in BBC Radio 2 and could know they. I'm happy for this, really.Are Great. It`s a beatiful song and a Great Group.
Miriam Gross
do you know when they're next album will be released???? I NEED MORE!!!
HidingInFantasy
I was there - twas amazing... We saw them at Towersey too... Their new album is really good.
oneoflokis
I love Bellowhead! Was sorry to see them break up. Read online this year that they were re-forming...
spundam
Touring in November 2022!