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.
Sweep
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you can but rightly understand me
Sweep, chimney sweep, is the common cry I keep
If you can but rightly understand me
With my brush, broom and my rake
With my brush, broom and my rake
See what cleanly work I make
With my hoe and my hoe
And it's sweep, chimney sweep for me
Girls came up to my door I looked black as any Moor
I am constant and true as the day
Girls came up to my door I looked black as any Moor
I am constant and true as the day
With a bunch of ribbons gay
With a bunch of ribbons gay
Hanging down by my right knee
And there's no one, and there's no one
And there's no one and no one
And there's no one can call me on high
Arise girls, arise, wipe the sleep from off your eyes
Go and fetch to me some beer that I might swallow
Arise girls, arise, wipe the sleep from off your eyes
Go and fetch to me some beer that I might swallow
I can climb up to the top
I can climb up to the top
Without a ladder or a rope
And it's there you, and it's there you
And it's there you and there you
And it's there you will hear me ‘Hullo
Now here I do stand with my hoe all in my hand
Like some soldier that's on the sentry
Now here I do stand with my hoe all in my hand
Like some soldier that's on the sentry
I will work for a better sort
I will work for a better sort
And I'll kindly thank them for it
I will work, I will work
I will work and I'll work
And I'll work for none but gentry
The folk song “Sweep” by Steeleye Span is a tribute to the hardworking chimney sweeps who were once an integral part of Britain’s society. The song is written from the perspective of a chimney sweep who takes pride in his profession and calls out “Sweep, chimney sweep, is the common cry I keep” as he goes about his daily routine. The lyrics portray the singer’s eagerness to prove himself as a skilled worker who can clean chimneys with utmost efficiency. He uses his brush, broom, and rake to make his work spotless and takes great pleasure in doing so.
The song also touches upon the life of chimney sweeps, who were not always treated well by society. The singer mentions that girls who came to his door thought him to be black as any Moor, indicative of the soot that covered his skin. However, he remains constant and proud of his work despite the prejudices he faces. The lyrics further describe his physical prowess as he climbs to the top of the chimney without a ladder or a rope, calling out to the world with joyous “Hullo”. The song concludes with the chimney sweep’s pledge to work only for the gentry and excel at his trade.
Steeleye Span’s “Sweep” is a tribute to the chimney sweeps of yore, highlighting their skills, hardships, and perseverance. With its catchy tunes and lyrics that capture the essence of a bygone era, the song remains a popular favorite among folk music enthusiasts.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweep, chimney sweep, is the common cry I keep
I call out my occupation as a chimney sweep regularly.
If you can but rightly understand me
If you listen to me closely and understand what I mean.
With my brush, broom and my rake
With these tools, I keep the chimneys clean.
See what cleanly work I make
Look at how efficiently I clean the chimneys.
With my hoe, with my hoe
I also use a hoe for my work.
And it's sweep, chimney sweep for me
This is my profession, and I take pride in it.
Girls came up to my door I looked black as any Moor
Women came to my doorstep, but I was covered in soot from my work.
I am constant and true as the day
I am reliable and honest, just like the consistency of the day.
With a bunch of ribbons gay
I decorate myself with colorful ribbons.
Hanging down by my right knee
I wear the ribbons on my knee.
And there's no one, and there's no one
Nobody has the authority to question my appearance or my job.
And there's no one and no one
I won't let anyone put me down.
Can call me on high
No one can criticize the quality of my work.
Arise girls, arise, wipe the sleep from off your eyes
Wake up and start your day, girls.
Go and fetch to me some beer that I might swallow
Bring me some beer to drink so that I can quench my thirst.
I can climb up to the top
I am skilled enough to climb up the chimney's top without any equipment.
Without a ladder or a rope
I don't need any assistance to reach the top.
And it's there you, and it's there you
If you listen closely there, you will hear me.
And it's there you and there you
I can be heard from up there.
Will hear me ‘Hullo
I am greeting those who are listening to me from up the chimney.
Now here I do stand with my hoe all in my hand
Standing here with my hoe in hand, still ready to work.
Like some soldier that's on the sentry
I resemble a soldier standing guard.
I will work for a better sort
I am willing to work for those who value my labour.
And I'll kindly thank them for it
I will show my gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to work.
I will work, I will work
I am ready and willing to work.
I will work and I'll work
I will continue working hard.
And I'll work for none but gentry
I only wish to work for the more affluent members of society.
Contributed by Gabriella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben - Moderator
on Bonny Moorhen
Hi Stuart, We have corrected the description above.
Stuart Tartan
on Bonny Moorhen
This description of the song completely misses the point in every way. It IS NOT about a bird.
It is an allegorical Jacobite-era song about Bonny Prince Charlie (the bonny moorhen). The colours mentioned, for instance, are the colours of the Clan Stuart tartan.