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.
The Journeyman
Fairport Convention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you always leave the road behind you
You don't need your horses shod, just a dowser and his rod
Leave your mistress, she won't need to find you
(Chorus)
Oh please, journeyman, help me on my way
Oh please, help me please, I won't be afraid
Oh please, journeyman, help me on my way
Leave my weary flesh and bone to a circle made of stone
Take me to the mountains for my pleasure
And if the dead man won't depart, drive a stake into his heart
And let me ere deliver him his leisure
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
When you see the race is run and the dark has just begun
Come on with the few and leave the many
There you'll find the journeyman with a lantern in his hand
He'll show you a good time for a penny
(Chorus)
The Journeyman's Grace by Fairport Convention is a song with intriguing lyrics that delve deep into a person's faith in their journey. The lyrics suggest that there is a grace that leads you from place to place, and all you need is a dowser and his rod. The songwriter implies that a journeyman, who is an experienced traveler, could help you on your way so that you won't be afraid as you travel. The idea of leaving your horses shod and your mistress is further evidence that the journey being referred to is something more than just a physical journey.
The song is perhaps discussing the journey of life and the spiritual path that a person may take. It suggests that letting go of material possessions and physical ties can help you find your way more easily. The circle made of stone, for example, suggests a spiritual or religious foundation, while the mountains represent the peaks of personal discovery. The idea of driving a stake into a dead man's heart evokes the idea of leaving past mistakes and regrets behind. Finally, the journeyman appears to be a metaphorical figure that guides people towards their destiny while offering them comfort and support when they need it the most.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone told me there's a grace that leads you straight from place to place
There is an unseen force that guides you through life's journeys.
And you always leave the road behind you
This journey does not follow a path that has been traveled before.
You don't need your horses shod, just a dowser and his rod
This is a spiritual journey, not a physical one.
Leave your mistress, she won't need to find you
Leave behind any earthly attachments that may hold you back.
Oh please, journeyman, help me on my way
Please guide me on my spiritual journey.
Oh please, help me please, I won't be afraid
I need your help and I trust you will protect me.
Leave my weary flesh and bone to a circle made of stone
Leave my physical body to be buried in a sacred place.
Take me to the mountains for my pleasure
Guide me to experience the wonder and beauty of nature.
And if the dead man won't depart, drive a stake into his heart
If any negativity or past hurts linger, release them with force.
And let me ere deliver him his leisure
Release these negative energies to find peace and rest.
When you see the race is run and the dark has just begun
When life seems to be ending, or taking a dark turn.
Come on with the few and leave the many
Join those who are already on the spiritual path.
There you'll find the journeyman with a lantern in his hand
The guide will be there to light the way.
He'll show you a good time for a penny
He will offer guidance for little cost.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Swarbrick, Richard John (Gb1) Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Gubbinsville
Aahh, the band are Rockin' here with true R&R abandon. Dave's dirty fiddle is fantastic!
@popville217
RIP Dave Swarbrick. One & only time I saw Fairport was Oct 16, 1971 in Durham NC. They opened for Traffic, and frankly kicked Traffic's ass (who were way, way too stoned on pot & whatever to be exciting.....the Low Sparks era indeed). Journeyman's Grace was my favorite song at the time and Angel Delight always sitting next to the turntable for sudden spins.
@edwardjohn8988
MATTAAAAAAACKS!
@keithkeller4156
Folk-Punk...
@nightsketcher
this is great (but it sounds a little speeded up?)
@psimonsen123
+nightsketcher The original key is C - try to compare. But could also be that you tend to play faster live ...
@hewides
Is the whole concert available ?
@pale_saint
hewides yes it is now on CD Fairport Convention Live in Finland