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.
Rosie
Fairport Convention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know Rosie
You're living in a world you didn't make
And I know it's hard feeling happy
When the things you want aren't even there to take
Come on Rosie, rosin up the bow
Lie down cozy and let's learn to take things slow
For the more I learn it's the less I seem to know
Of my Rosie
Come on, my Rosie, rosin up the bow
Throw away your uniform
Now's the time to take things by the hand
Come on in and take your coat off
Settle down and listen to the band
And ain't that grand, Rosie
Come on Rosie, rosin up the bow
For the more I learn it's the less I seem to know
Lie down cozy and let's learn to take things slow
For the more I learn it's the less I seem to know
Of my Rosie
Come on, my Rosie, rosin up the bow
The song "Rosie" by Fairport Convention is a beautiful and poignant tribute to a woman named Rosie, who is struggling to find her place in the world. The song is filled with compassion and understanding, as the singer acknowledges the difficulties that Rosie faces and encourages her to find joy in life despite the challenges.
The lyrics begin by acknowledging that Rosie is living in a world that she didn't make, meaning that she is dealing with circumstances beyond her control. The singer recognizes that happiness can be elusive when the things we want are out of reach. But despite these obstacles, the singer urges Rosie to keep moving forward and to "rosin up the bow" - a reference to preparing a violin bow for playing. The idea here is to encourage Rosie to keep playing and creating beauty in the world, even when things seem hard.
As the song goes on, the singer invites Rosie to throw away her uniform - which could refer to a symbolic uniform of conformity or the idea of fitting into the expectations of society. It's a call to break free from those constraints and to take life by the hand. The final lines of the song, "For the more I learn it's the less I seem to know / Of my Rosie" suggest that despite the difficulties of life, the singer is still trying to understand and connect with Rosie.
Overall, "Rosie" is a beautiful and heartfelt song about empathy and encouragement. It's a reminder that even when things are tough, it's important to keep moving forward and finding joy where we can.
Line by Line Meaning
I know Rosie
The singer is very familiar with Rosie, and has a close relationship with her.
You're living in a world you didn't make
Rosie's circumstances are not of her own creation, and are likely difficult to endure.
And I know it's hard feeling happy
Rosie is experiencing some level of unhappiness, which makes it difficult to find joy in life.
When the things you want aren't even there to take
The objects of Rosie's desires are not present or attainable, making her situation more challenging.
Come on Rosie, rosin up the bow
The singer is encouraging Rosie to take action and play her instrument with enthusiasm.
For the more I learn it's the less I seem to know
The songwriter is acknowledging that the more he understands, the more complex life seems to become.
Lie down cozy and let's learn to take things slow
The singer suggests that Rosie and he relax and take their time to understand the world and its challenges.
Throw away your uniform
The singer is suggesting that Rosie abandon her predetermined role and live life on her own terms.
Now's the time to take things by the hand
The artist is encouraging Rosie to seize the moment and move forward in life with confidence.
Come on in and take your coat off
The songwriter is inviting Rosie to be comfortable and at ease in his company.
Settle down and listen to the band
The singer is suggesting that Rosie take a moment to enjoy the music and appreciate the present moment.
And ain't that grand, Rosie
The artist is expressing enthusiasm and positivity, and speaking to Rosie in a familiar way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Realsongs, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DIANE WARREN, JON BON JOVI, DESMOND CHILD, RICHARD SAMBORA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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...