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 Last Waltz
Fairport Convention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walk him along, John, Carry him along
Well General Taylor he gained the day
Carry him to his bury'n ground
[Chorus]
Tell me where you're stormy
Walk him along, John, carry him along
Carry him to his bury'n ground
We'll dig his grave with a silver spade
Walk him along, John, Carry him along
His shroud of the finest silk will be made
Carry him to his bury'n ground
[Chorus]
We'll lower him down on a golden chain
Walk him along, John, Carry him along
On every inch we'll carve his name
Carry him to his bury'n ground
[Chorus]
General Taylor he's all the go
Walk him along, John, Carry him along
He's gone where the stormy winds won't blow
Carry him to his bury'n ground
[Chorus]
General Taylor he's dead and he's gone
Walk him along, John, Carry him along
Well General Taylor he's long dead and gone
Carry him to his bury'n ground
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
The Last Waltz is a traditional song, and this version is Fairport Convention's interpretation of it. The song tells the story of General Zachary Taylor, a United States general who fought in various wars during the 19th century. Taylor gained victory in one of these wars, and the song celebrates his triumph. The lyrics describe how he will be buried - with a silver spade and in a shroud made of finest silk. The song also talks about the stormy winds, which he has left behind, indicating that he is in a peaceful place now.
The repetition of the phrase "Walk him along, John, Carry him along" creates a rhythm that sounds like a somber marching tune. It's as if the people carrying General Taylor's body are slowly marching towards his final resting place. The chorus repeats the phrase "Tell me where you're stormy, Carry him to his bury'n ground," which suggests a desire to be free from any turbulent or difficult circumstances, perhaps indicating that after his victory, General Taylor is now at rest.
Overall, The Last Waltz is a song of mourning for General Zachary Taylor, but also a tribute to his strength and victory.
Line by Line Meaning
Well General Taylor gained the day
General Taylor won the battle
Walk him along, John, Carry him along
Let's transport General Taylor's body
Well General Taylor he gained the day
General Taylor was victorious
Carry him to his bury'n ground
Let's take General Taylor's remains to his final resting place
[Chorus] Tell me where you're stormy
Ask me about your troubles
His shroud of the finest silk will be made
A luxurious cloth will be used to wrap General Taylor's body
We'll dig his grave with a silver spade
We'll use a high-quality tool to dig his grave
On every inch we'll carve his name
We'll inscribe General Taylor's name on his grave
We'll lower him down on a golden chain
We'll use a valuable chain to lower General Taylor's body into the grave
General Taylor he's all the go
General Taylor was very popular
He's gone where the stormy winds won't blow
He's passed away and is at peace
General Taylor he's dead and he's gone
General Taylor has passed away
[Chorus: Repeat x2]
Repeating the chorus
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: SEAN MICHAEL COONEY, DAVID ANDREW EAGLE, MICHAEL THOMAS HUGHES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian E. Reinecke
A lovely performance. Sad to see you go Mr. Swarbrick. 😞