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.
Walk Awhile
Fairport Convention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walk awhile, walk awhile, walk awhile with me
The more we walk together, love, the better we'll agree
We'll agree
One hand in your mouth and your finger in your eye
Undertakers bow their heads as you go walking by
Here comes another Sunday, ringing on the bell
And here comes a wounded child, another tale to tell
(Chorus)
"Bring along," the brewer said, "bring the cuckoo tree
Bring your lady mother along to keep us company"
(Chorus)
Two miles down the road, Henry Tompkins wife
Three miles down the road and he's running for his life
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
In Fairport Convention's song "Walk Awhile," the chorus encourages the listener to walk with the singer because the more they walk together, the better they will agree. This may symbolize a call for unity and understanding. The first verse describes an individual with their hand in their mouth and a finger in their eye. The second line mentions the undertakers bowing their heads as the person walks by. This verse may symbolize a painful or difficult time in someone's life that elicits empathy from those around them.
The second verse mentions a Sunday bell ringing and a wounded child with another story to tell. Sundays, in many cultures, signify a day of rest and worship, but this verse adds a layer of sadness to the day. The third verse mentions a brewer inviting the singer to bring the cuckoo tree and their lady mother to keep them company. The cuckoo tree may symbolize hope and new beginnings. The final verse mentions Henry Tompkins' wife and how her husband is running for his life. This may symbolize fear and danger in someone's life. The chorus repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of walking together and understanding each other to build a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk awhile, walk awhile, walk awhile with me
Let's spend some time together and work through our differences
The more we walk together, love, the better we'll agree
If we spend more time together, we will come to an agreement
We'll agree
We will eventually come to an agreement
One hand in your mouth and your finger in your eye
You are feeling discomfort or unease
Undertakers bow their heads as you go walking by
People are mourning or showing respect as you walk by
Here comes another Sunday, ringing on the bell
Another week is starting and time marches on
And here comes a wounded child, another tale to tell
There is always another tragedy or sad story to be heard
"Bring along," the brewer said, "bring the cuckoo tree
The brewer is inviting guests to bring objects or items to the event
Bring your lady mother along to keep us company"
The brewer is suggesting that the guests bring their mothers for company
Two miles down the road, Henry Tompkins wife
Henry Tompkins' wife is two miles down the road
Three miles down the road and he's running for his life
Henry Tompkins is in trouble and trying to escape
Walk awhile, walk awhile, walk awhile with me
Let's spend some time together and work through our differences
The more we walk together, love, the better we'll agree
If we spend more time together, we will come to an agreement
We'll agree
We will eventually come to an agreement
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SWARBRICK THOMPSON
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...