Tensions between the band grew during the production in 1970 of their first album, Hark! The Village Wait to the point where they never again worked together after its completion, but the music itself shows no signs of these difficulties. While having a rock sensibility there is a greater sense of the authentic folk tradition than even in the best of Fairport, and a particular beauty arising from the two pairs of voices. The Woods being replaced by admired folk stalwart Martin Carthy, with violinist Peter Knight to widen the musical textures, the group late in 1970 recorded their most admired record Please to see the King. Ten Man Mop followed in 1971, more accomplished but generally felt to be less exciting. The expensive gatefold sleeve swallowed the band's royalties, and was referred to as a tombstone, since Hutchings and Carthy then left, to pursue Hutchings' new vision of a specifically English strand of folk rock with The Albion Band, and Steeleye Mk 2 folded.
However the inclusion of the less celebrated and more rock orientated replacements Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson led to the most commercially successful phase in the band's existence, vocalist Maddy Prior becoming the primary focus of the band, and a run of well received albums, from Below the Salt and Now we Are Six, their first with drummer Nigel Pegrum, to their eighth, and most commercially successful, All Around my Hat, in 1975.
Still active, they have a claim to be one of the longest-lived and perhaps the most commercially successful of all the folk rock bands of the era, thanks to their hit singles Gaudete and All Around My Hat, 3 top 40 albums and even a certified "gold" record with All Around My Hat.
Tim Hart died of lung cancer on 24 December 2009, aged 61.
Barnet Fair
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Birds fly south and the leaves are falling down
Just beyond the town, the meadow where a campfire's burning,
wakes in the morning to the music of the big fairground
Coming from the East, coming from the West,
All the gypsies are gathering
Just another town on the road for the travelling man
Chorus:
Follow me, boys, won't you follow me to Barnet Fair?
Follow on, children, won't you follow me to Barnet Fair?
If I show you the way, will you come along today?
Everyone you know will be there
Follow me, boys, won't you follow me to Barnet Fair?
Leave the factory, leave the field
Word is abroad that the fair arrives today
Come on from the dusty loom and the rusty plough
Join the procession, I can hear it come this way
Come and see the juggler, come and see the fiddler,
See the horses and the dancing bear
Come and see the pretty lasses with the coloured ribbons in their hair
Chorus
See the magic lanterns and the bat and hoop-la
Prizes for the twopenny shy
"All the fun on the fair" you can hear the showmen cry
Chorus
The lyrics to Steeleye Span's song "Barnet Fair" describe the excitement and anticipation surrounding the annual fair held in Barnet, a town in north London. The song begins by noting the arrival of winter, with the migration of birds and falling leaves, and then describes the meadow just outside of town where the fair takes place. The opening lines create a sense of movement and change, as though the world is shifting into a new phase, which is echoed by the arrival of the fair.
The chorus invites listeners to follow the singer to Barnet Fair, suggesting that this is an event that everyone should experience. The song notes that the fair attracts travelers from both the East and West, drawing people from all over to see the sights and sounds. The lyrics also suggest that the fair is a place where people can escape the daily grind of work and routine, with lines like "leave the factory, leave the field." Instead, they can join in the revelry and excitement of the fair, from the jugglers and fiddlers to the pretty lasses with ribbons in their hair.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of joy and abandon, a celebration of the vibrant, chaotic atmosphere of the fair. It's a call to leave behind the troubles of everyday life and join in the communal experience of the fair, with its music, food, and entertainment.
Line by Line Meaning
Once a year when the winter's calling
At a specific time of year when winter is approaching
Birds fly south and the leaves are falling down
The birds are migrating and the leaves are falling from trees as a result of the changing season
Just beyond the town, the meadow where a campfire's burning, wakes in the morning to the music of the big fairground
In a nearby meadow, a campfire is lit and the sounds of a large fairground can be heard in the morning
Coming from the East, coming from the West, All the gypsies are gathering
Gypsies are traveling from the East and West to gather in this town
Just another town on the road for the travelling man
This town is just another stop for the traveling gypsies
Follow me, boys, won't you follow me to Barnet Fair? Follow on, children, won't you follow me to Barnet Fair? If I show you the way, will you come along today? Everyone you know will be there Follow me, boys, won't you follow me to Barnet Fair?
Come with me to Barnet Fair - a fun and exciting event that everyone will be attending
Leave the factory, leave the field Word is abroad that the fair arrives today
Stop working at the factory or in the field - everyone knows that the fair is coming today
Come on from the dusty loom and the rusty plough Join the procession, I can hear it come this way
Stop working in the factory or field and join the procession heading towards the fair
Come and see the juggler, come and see the fiddler, See the horses and the dancing bear Come and see the pretty lasses with the coloured ribbons in their hair
There are many attractions to see at the fair including a juggler, fiddler, horses, dancing bear and pretty girls with ribbons in their hair
See the magic lanterns and the bat and hoop-la Prizes for the twopenny shy
There are also games and prizes to be won at the fair
"All the fun on the fair" you can hear the showmen cry
The showmen at the fair are shouting about all the fun that can be had there
Contributed by Madison B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MrNellie65
I was born and bred in Barnet.48 years I ve lived here.How come I ve never before heard this wonderful song about my wonderful town?
Deckz
You are talking about London Barnet Borough right?
Scott Bing
This has got to be one of my favorite span tunes going. It's groovy and catchy and about my favorite thing. Going to.a.hippy.fest.
erika7674
I went to Barnet Fair once, with a horse trader, who bought some ponies. It was exciting! I had no idea that one of my favourite bands had made a song about the Fair!
Paul Sherman
Lovely presentation of a great album. Thanks.
markreilly52
Ryan, This is wonderful. I should never have given that much loved album away. Mark
Gene Fowler
Magical song!