John Tams (born 16th February, 1949) is an award-winning English actor, sin… Read Full Bio ↴John Tams (born 16th February, 1949) is an award-winning English actor, singer, songwriter and musician. His contributions to English folk music are legendary.
John Tams was a member of Derbyshire folk group Muckram Wakes in the 1970s, then worked with Ashley Hutchings as singer and melodeon-player on albums including 'Son of Morris On', and as a member of The Albion Band. Splitting with Hutchings in the 1980s he formed Home Service. Now a solo performer - fronting a folk-rock band, or in a duo with Barry Coope.
Tams has released several solo albums including 'Unity' (2001), 'Home' (2002) and 'The Reckoning' (2005); all of which have met with well-deserved critical acclaim. At the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Tams won Album of the Year for 'The Reckoning', Best Traditional Track (for 'Bitter Withy') and Singer of the Year. Tams is the only artist to have won the Album of the Year award twice, the first time was with his first solo album 'Unity' in 2001.
Tams may be best known to the general public through having played one of the supporting roles in the ITV drama series Sharpe as one of the "Chosen Men" as rifleman and former poacher Daniel Hagman, a whimsical, sober, steady hand in the 95th Rifles always ready with a deadly eye behind a Baker rifle, a folk remedy for an ailment, or a song for a weary heart. In 1996, Tams collaborated with fellow British folk musician Kate Rusby (and others) on a companion CD to the television series titled Over the Hills & Far Away: The Music of Sharpe.
Tams was a Musical Director and actor at the National Theatre from 1976 to 1985 and then again from 1999 to 2001, working on such shows as The Mysteries, Larkrise to Candleford, Glengarry Glenross, The Crucible, Golden Boy, The Good Hope and The Mysteries Revival in 1999. He was a member of the creative team headed by Bill Bryden.
In 2006, Tams became musical director of the BBC Radio 2 2006 Radio Ballads, an updating of Ewan MacColl's Radio Ballads. The series was short-listed for two Sony Radio Awards in 2007. The song Steelos, written by Tams for the Song Of Steel episode of the 2006 Ballads, was nominated Best Original Song at the 2006 Radio 2 Folk Awards. Tams then worked on a stage version of Steelos performed at The Magna Centre in the Rother Valley in 2009.
Early in 2007, Tams was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University which was presented in November 2007. He is married to Sally Tams, his manager, and they have a daughter, Rosie.
In 2011-12, Home Service reformed and resumed touring. They were awarded Best Live Act at the BBC Folk Awards 2012.
John Tams was a member of Derbyshire folk group Muckram Wakes in the 1970s, then worked with Ashley Hutchings as singer and melodeon-player on albums including 'Son of Morris On', and as a member of The Albion Band. Splitting with Hutchings in the 1980s he formed Home Service. Now a solo performer - fronting a folk-rock band, or in a duo with Barry Coope.
Tams has released several solo albums including 'Unity' (2001), 'Home' (2002) and 'The Reckoning' (2005); all of which have met with well-deserved critical acclaim. At the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Tams won Album of the Year for 'The Reckoning', Best Traditional Track (for 'Bitter Withy') and Singer of the Year. Tams is the only artist to have won the Album of the Year award twice, the first time was with his first solo album 'Unity' in 2001.
Tams may be best known to the general public through having played one of the supporting roles in the ITV drama series Sharpe as one of the "Chosen Men" as rifleman and former poacher Daniel Hagman, a whimsical, sober, steady hand in the 95th Rifles always ready with a deadly eye behind a Baker rifle, a folk remedy for an ailment, or a song for a weary heart. In 1996, Tams collaborated with fellow British folk musician Kate Rusby (and others) on a companion CD to the television series titled Over the Hills & Far Away: The Music of Sharpe.
Tams was a Musical Director and actor at the National Theatre from 1976 to 1985 and then again from 1999 to 2001, working on such shows as The Mysteries, Larkrise to Candleford, Glengarry Glenross, The Crucible, Golden Boy, The Good Hope and The Mysteries Revival in 1999. He was a member of the creative team headed by Bill Bryden.
In 2006, Tams became musical director of the BBC Radio 2 2006 Radio Ballads, an updating of Ewan MacColl's Radio Ballads. The series was short-listed for two Sony Radio Awards in 2007. The song Steelos, written by Tams for the Song Of Steel episode of the 2006 Ballads, was nominated Best Original Song at the 2006 Radio 2 Folk Awards. Tams then worked on a stage version of Steelos performed at The Magna Centre in the Rother Valley in 2009.
Early in 2007, Tams was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University which was presented in November 2007. He is married to Sally Tams, his manager, and they have a daughter, Rosie.
In 2011-12, Home Service reformed and resumed touring. They were awarded Best Live Act at the BBC Folk Awards 2012.
Who Will Blow the Candle Out Tonight
John Tams Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by John Tams:
Amelia The work was hard and wages low Amelia – where you…
American Dream (Girl in Texas) The sunset streams across the silver screen And takes the co…
From Where I Lie / Sheepcounting From where I lie The sheep can safely graze The farm breas…
Harry Stone - Hearts of Coal Harry Stone was a miner born He worked to win his…
Hugh Stenson & Mollie Green Oh Bold Hugh Stenson is my name From Ashbourne in the…
Over The Hills And Far Away Here's forty shillings on the drum For those who'll voluntee…
Safe House Run for cover find another town along the road You're flying…
Spanish Bride O'er the hills and o'er the main Through Flanders, Portugal …
Unity Can't pass the people, can't pass the, hit me Oh, get…
Unity - Raise Your Banners High Bound together through the land Stand up - stand up now Brot…
Whole New Vision Geronimo, he came in Just done a deal with Errol Flynn He'…
Written in the Book Playground – hearts pound Unsteady on the floor Lennon and m…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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tannishan1
Such a beautiful and brilliant song. It's so gentle and subtle.
Ronald Hart
Wow..what a nice discovery 👌
Thank you John...
So much commercial rubbish...on the TV & Radio...
Maybe it's our Time...with lockdown but this Artist soothing tone is a great comfort.
chaz8873
A true gentleman and a brilliant songsmith
Katy Did
One of the best from one of the best
MrFatLegend
He and Mr John Denver have those voices u can just sit and listen :D