Fairport Convention is often credited with being one of the first English f… Read Full Bio ↴Fairport Convention is often credited with being one of the first English folk rock bands. Formed in 1967, Fairport rapidly developed from playing cover versions of American 'west coast' music to an individual style which melded rock music with traditional English folk tunes and songs.
Like their peers The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and Jefferson Airplane they were blessed with several considerable individual talents and produced music that -at least initially- was eclectic, as well as exploratory. This side of the band may best be heard on Heyday, a collection of tracks broadcast by the BBC. The move to a more British form of folk rock came primarily as a result of the enthusiasm of bassist Ashley Hutchings and producer Joe Boyd. Original singer Judy Dyble was replaced on their second LP What We Did On Our Holidays by Sandy Denny, an experienced folk singer and excellent composer in her own right. Fiddle virtuoso Dave Swarbrick joined, initially as sessioneer, on their third, Unhalfbricking. That LP has arguably their first two bona fide masterpieces. One is their version of the Sandy Denny song, Who Knows Where the Time Goes, popularized by Judy Collins, but characterised on their version by a perfect balance between Denny's vocals and the exquisite support of the group as a whole, and lead guitarist Richard Thompson in particular. The other is A Sailor's Life, the first to demonstrate the potential power of folk rock, the song exploding in an improvised and sophisticated instrumental coda that reaches beyond the words through the impassioned interplay of the whole band, led by the virtuosity of Thompson and Swarbrick in particular. Thompson also soon showed that he could create his own distinctive songs, notably the anthemic Meet on the Ledge, on Holidays.
The following LP Liege and Lief is perhaps Fairport's finest hour. Liege and Lief is generally remembered for its virtuoso versions of traditional folk songs but it also contains beautiful originals by Thompson and Denny. However the next, Full House -deliberately rockier in tone- has its particular gems, most notably Sloth, for its extended guitar/ fiddle duel and Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman, a perfect expression of Thompson's mordant humour; along with the sleeve notes, surely amongst the strangest and funniest ever.
The band continued with a series of personnel changes and albums, all with at least some high points, until it was temporarily disbanded in 1979, but played annual reunion concerts until it reformed in 1985. Since then, it has enjoyed stability and continues to tour and record regularly.
In part, the continuing success of Fairport Convention is due to the annual music festival it organizes. Cropredy Festival has been held every year since 1974 near Cropredy, a village five miles north of Banbury, Oxfordshire and can attract upwards of 20,000 fans.
In 2002 the band was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. In 2006 Radio 2 listeners voted their 1969 album Liege & Lief as the Most Influential Folk Album of All Time. A mass reunion of living Fairport members performed at the ceremony.
Like their peers The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and Jefferson Airplane they were blessed with several considerable individual talents and produced music that -at least initially- was eclectic, as well as exploratory. This side of the band may best be heard on Heyday, a collection of tracks broadcast by the BBC. The move to a more British form of folk rock came primarily as a result of the enthusiasm of bassist Ashley Hutchings and producer Joe Boyd. Original singer Judy Dyble was replaced on their second LP What We Did On Our Holidays by Sandy Denny, an experienced folk singer and excellent composer in her own right. Fiddle virtuoso Dave Swarbrick joined, initially as sessioneer, on their third, Unhalfbricking. That LP has arguably their first two bona fide masterpieces. One is their version of the Sandy Denny song, Who Knows Where the Time Goes, popularized by Judy Collins, but characterised on their version by a perfect balance between Denny's vocals and the exquisite support of the group as a whole, and lead guitarist Richard Thompson in particular. The other is A Sailor's Life, the first to demonstrate the potential power of folk rock, the song exploding in an improvised and sophisticated instrumental coda that reaches beyond the words through the impassioned interplay of the whole band, led by the virtuosity of Thompson and Swarbrick in particular. Thompson also soon showed that he could create his own distinctive songs, notably the anthemic Meet on the Ledge, on Holidays.
The following LP Liege and Lief is perhaps Fairport's finest hour. Liege and Lief is generally remembered for its virtuoso versions of traditional folk songs but it also contains beautiful originals by Thompson and Denny. However the next, Full House -deliberately rockier in tone- has its particular gems, most notably Sloth, for its extended guitar/ fiddle duel and Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman, a perfect expression of Thompson's mordant humour; along with the sleeve notes, surely amongst the strangest and funniest ever.
The band continued with a series of personnel changes and albums, all with at least some high points, until it was temporarily disbanded in 1979, but played annual reunion concerts until it reformed in 1985. Since then, it has enjoyed stability and continues to tour and record regularly.
In part, the continuing success of Fairport Convention is due to the annual music festival it organizes. Cropredy Festival has been held every year since 1974 near Cropredy, a village five miles north of Banbury, Oxfordshire and can attract upwards of 20,000 fans.
In 2002 the band was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. In 2006 Radio 2 listeners voted their 1969 album Liege & Lief as the Most Influential Folk Album of All Time. A mass reunion of living Fairport members performed at the ceremony.
Bridge Over The River Ash
Fairport Convention Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Fairport Convention:
01) Walk Awhile (Chorus) Walk awhile, walk awhile, walk awhile with me The m…
08.Crazy Man Michael Within the fire and out upon the sea Crazy man Michael…
A Sailor A sailor's life, it is a merry life. He robs…
A Sailor's Life A sailor's life, it is a merry life. He robs…
A Sailors Life A sailor's life, it is a merry life. He robs…
After Halloween Red and gold and Halloween have passed us by The charcoal…
Angel Delight John the Wood went out one day To view the scene…
Autopsy You must philosophise But why must you bore me to…
Banks of the Sweet Primroses As I walked out on a midsummer's morning For to view…
Big William He never put a foot wrong Until the day Joe met…
Bird on a Wire Like a bird on a wire Like a drunk in a…
Bonny Black Hare On the fourteenth of May at the dawn of the…
Bonny Bunch Of Roses Near by the swelling ocean, One morning in the month of…
Book Song If she knew what I've seen while I'm watching Would she…
Both Sides Now Rows and flows of angel hair And ice cream castles in…
Breakfast in Mayfair The world has surely lost it's head, the news is…
Bring 'Em Down Time stood dark and silent and the stars they gave…
Cajun Woman Baby that preacher gave you spring In the window with…
Chelsea Morning Woke up big this Chelsea morning and the first thing…
Claudy Banks 'Twas on one summer's evening all in the month of…
Close The Door Lightly When You Go One, two, three Turn around, don't whisper out my name L…
Closing Time Cohen Ah we're drinking and we're dancing and the band …
Come All Ye Come all ye rolling minstrels And together, we will try To r…
Crazy Man Michael Within the fire and out upon the sea Crazy man Michael…
Crazy Man Michaels Within the fire and out upon the sea Crazy man Michael…
Crazy Man Micheal Within the fire and out upon the sea Crazy man Michael…
Danny Boy Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen…
Dawn Morning shone among the shadows Sunlight bled upon the silen…
Dear Landlord Dear landlord, Please don't put a price on my soul. My bur…
Decameron She doesn't see the day today No colours where the children…
Deserter As I was a-walking along Ratcliffe Highway A recruiting par…
Dirty Linen Cropredy 1988 (Instrumental)…
Doctor Of Physick "Take care daughter dear Don't dream on many gallant men ton…
Don Funny day, looking for laughter and finding it there Sunny …
Dream Song Sleep has surprised Mr Lee We'll creep in behind his eyes…
Duchess Anne Fairport Convention - Duchess Anne I swear allegia…
Eastern Rain Rain comes from the east one night We watch it come To…
Farewell Farewell, farewell to you who would hear You lonely traveler…
Flowers Of The Forest I've heard them lilting ?At are? you milking And I've heard …
Fotheringay How often she has gazed from castle windows o'er, And watche…
General Taylor Near by the swelling ocean, One morning in the month of…
Genesis Hall My father he rides with your sheriffs And I know…
Genesis Hall (live) My father he rides in your ships And I know he…
Get On With It You may search, at any cost But how long can you Search…
Gold Red and gold are royal colors Peasant colours are green and…
Heard It Through The Grapevine I bet you're wonderin' how I knew 'Bout your plans to…
Hexhamshire Lass Away with the buff and the blue and away with…
Hiring Fair I went down to the hiring fair for to sell…
Home Is Where the Heart Is Well I've been away such a long time now And my…
How Many Times You broke my heart so many times that I can′t…
Hungarian Rhapsody Oh what a time we had down by the Danube! Eating…
I Calling all olive branches and laid off doves There is work…
I Don Funny day, looking for laughter and finding it there Sunny …
I Don't Know Where I Stand Funny day, looking for laughter and finding it there Sunny d…
I Dont Know Where I Stand Funny day, looking for laughter and finding it there Sunny …
I Heard It Through The Grapevine I bet you're wonderin' how I knew 'Bout your plans to…
I Still Miss Someone At my door the leaves are falling A cold wild wind…
I'll Keep It With Mine You may search, at any cost But how long can you Search…
I'm Already There Was homeward bound, one night on the deep, Swinging in my…
i’ll keep it with mine You may search, at any cost But how long can you Search…
If If I were rich enough To make you need me as…
If I Had A Ribbon Bow If I had ribbon bow to tie my hair And a…
If It Feels Good You Know It Can't Be Wrong O here we are just you and me The folks…
If Stomp If I were rich enough To make you need me as…
Iron Lion (Trevor Lucas) Now I've been an engine driver all of my…
It There's no excuse for torture, that you ought to know Let…
It'll Take a Long Time Oh it's like a storm at sea And everything is lost, And…
I’ll Keep It with Mine You may search, at any cost But how long can you Search…
Jack O Jack O'Rion was the finest fiddler ever fiddled on the…
Jack O' Diamonds Jack O'Diamonds, on the move Jack O'Diamonds, one-eyed knav…
Jack O'Rion Jack O'Rion was the finest fiddler ever fiddled on the…
Jewel In The Crown We are a proud land, we stand for freedom we've…
John Barleycorn There were three men come out of the west, their…
John Lee John Lee, your headache's growing, the cold wind's blowing B…
John the Gun "My shadow follows me Wherever I should chance to go", John …
Journeyman Someone told me there's a grace that leads you straight…
Knights Of The Road Set out from Carlisle with the sun beside him Sinking low…
Lady Of Pleasure She's a lady of pleasure, she's a lady of joy And…
Let There's no excuse for torture, that you ought to know Let…
Let's Get Together Love is but a song we sing, Hear a way we…
Like An Old Fashioned Waltz Roses are red, and violets are blue, Primroses pale on a…
London Danny Home > Lyrics > London DannyLondon Danny London Danny is…
London River London River, oh, the London River All the love, I have…
Lord Marlborough You generals all and champions bold that takes delight in…
Madeleine She was standing there, at the country fair Sun was on…
Marcie Marcie in a coat of flowers Steps inside a candy store Reds…
Marie La Cordelière On the tenth' of August 1512 We passed the headland west…
Matty Groves A holiday, a holiday, and the first one of the…
Me With You It's nice to sit on the highest cliff for a…
Meet Me On The Ledge We used to say "there'd come the day, we'd all…
Milk and Honey Gold and silver is the autumn Soft and gentle are her…
Million Dollar Bash Well, that big dumb blonde With Gorgeous George And…
Morning Glory I lit my purest candle close to my Window, hoping it…
Mr Lacey Please, Mr. Lacey, let me work your loving machine Please, M…
Mr. Lacey Please Mr Lacey, let me work your loving machine Please Mr…
My Girl Theres been times in my past when the bad times…
My Love is in America to this place with my working hands, Sea crossing turn my…
Night In The City Light up light up Light up your lazy blue eyes Moons up…
Night-Time Girl (Dave Swarbrick, Dave Pegg) Night-time girl, rocking in a ch…
No Man Hey, come and make it easy Hey, come and make it…
Nottamun Town In Nottamun Town not a soul would look up, Not a…
Now Be Thankful When the stone is grown too cold to kneel In crystal…
One More Chance Calling all olive branches and laid off doves There is work…
One Sure Thing He used to be the only man I would see He…
Over the Next Hill Forever Forever the road goes on Forever If your wheels a…
Percy "Bad news, bad news, Come to me where I…
Percy's Song "Bad news, bad news, Come to me where I…
Pilgrims Stand up my friend We're heading out to the western lands Ou…
Pleasure & Pain [Chorus] Pleasure and pain is like profit and gain Sometimes…
Pleasure and Pain [Chorus] Pleasure and pain is like profit and gain Sometim…
Polly On The Shore Come all you wild young men and a warning take…
Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman Won't you rise for the hangman His pleasure is that you…
Possibly Parsons Green Don't say you caught me, if you don't need me Then…
Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood As gentle tides go rolling by, Along the salt sea strand T…
Rain Rain comes from the east one night We watch it come To…
Red And Gold Red and gold are royal colors Peasant colours are green and…
Reno Nevada It′s a long, long way down to Reno, Nevada and…
Restless Born between a river and a railroad Restlessness has ruled m…
Reynard The Fox Ye gentlemen of high renown, come listen unto me That takes…
Reynardine One evening as I rambled Among the leaves so green, …
Rising For The Mmon (Sandy Denny) I travel over the sea and ride the rolling…
Rocky Road All you fine young bloods must think yourselves immune From …
Rosie Swarbrick I know Rosie You're living in a world you didn't …
Sailor A sailor's life, it is a merry life. He robs…
Sailor's Life A sailor's life, it is a merry life. He robs…
Sailors Alphabet A's for the anchor that lies at our bow B's for…
Sandy's Song I sit and wonder at the thought That someday you'll be…
Set Me Up Standing here, holding an empty cup You can set me up You…
Shattering Live Experience Nicol Evening's dawning, missed the morning, Slept the a…
She She's like the swallow that flies so high, She's like the…
She Moved Through the Fair My young love said to me "My mother won't mind And…
She's Like the Swallow She's like the swallow that flies so high, She's like the…
Si Tu Dois Partir see'est pas que je te demande De faire que tu…
Si Tu Dois Partir radio recording 1968 see'est pas que je te demande De faire que tu…
Sickness & Diseases I do hate to see a rover crippled in the…
Sir Patrick Spens The King sits in Dunfirmline town, Drinking of the blood-re…
Sir Patrick Spens (Bonus Track The King sits in Dunfirmline town, drinking of the blood-red…
Sir William Gower I am a sailor, both stout and strong To a goodly…
Slip Jigs and Reels Slip Jigs And Reels He was barely a man in…
Sloth (Chorus) Just a roll, just a roll Just a roll on your…
Solo Good morning, good afternoon, And what have you got to say? …
Some Sweet Day Some sweet day, some sweet day I'm gonna hold you like…
Something You Got Something you got, baby Makes me work all day Something yo…
Spanish Main I have a tale of deceit and anger How love's young…
Stranger To Himself He was a stranger to himself A spy in his own…
Summer Before the War All on a Saturday Bright as a Bell Early, and just for…
Sun Shade Dying’s not easy today Trying but can’t get away Feel just t…
Suzanne Suzanne takes you down to a place near the river You…
Suzanne (Live) Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river You…
Tale In Hard Time Take the sun from my heart Let me learn to despise I'll…
and many more tracks by Fairport Convention.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Ronno
on Book Song
Beautiful song, even if I can't understand what's going on: she's reading a book, he's writing one (and playing) .. I wanted it to be abouth former FC singer Judy Dyble , who would knit on stage if she wasn't singing. The girlfriend theory makes some sense, but if Ian said it was about his daughter...