David Littler and Tony Berry are both founder members of the band, whilst Steve Millington joined in 1996.
Previous members are Norman Prince (1975 to 1999, 6 string acoustic guitar, 12 string guitar, bass guitar and vocals), John Oliver (1975 to 1976 vocals), Denis Littler (1976 to 1984 bass guitar and vocals) and Jeff Hill (1984 to 1996 and 1999 to 2007 bass Guitar, 6 string acoustic guitar, 12 string guitar, electric guitar and vocals)
They sing mainly English folk music, much of it in Lancashire dialect, and demonstrate an eclectic range of song subjects including "The Blackpool Belle", "Uncle Joe’s Mintballs" and "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs" (a biographical song about the painter L. S. Lowry).
They are best known for their BBC T.V. show "Sit Thi Deawn" (a Lancashire colloquial corruption of "Sit You Down"; referring to the supposed hospitality of Lancashire people). The programme ran for six series or seven years and was a mixture of easy listening music and comedy for a local audience[1]. The group also starred in six of their own series for BBC Radio 2.
I Wish I Was in Dixie
The Houghton Weavers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Old times there are not forgotten.
Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land!
In Dixie's Land, where I was born in,
early on one frosty mornin'.
Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land!
I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie's Land I'll take my stand,
Away, away, away down south in Dixie!
Away, away, away down south in Dixie!
There's buckwheat cakes and Injun batter,
Makes you fat or a little fatter.
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land
Then hoe it down and scratch your gravel,
To Dixie's Land I'm bound to travel.
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land
I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie's Land I'll take my stand,
to live and die in Dixie.
Away, away, away down south in Dixie!
Away, away, away down south in Dixie!
The Houghton Weavers's song "I Wish I Was in Dixie" is a classic tribute to the American South. The song evokes a sense of longing for a simpler time, while also acknowledging the complicated history of the region. The opening line, "Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton," refers to the main crop of the Southern states and the wealth it generated. The reference to "Old times there are not forgotten" acknowledges the cultural heritage of the region, including the influence of slavery, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction era that followed.
The chorus, "Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land!" is a call to action, inviting the listener to join in the celebration of Southern culture. The verses that follow describe the singer's personal connection to the region, as they were born there "early on one frosty mornin'" and long to return. The reference to "buckwheat cakes and Injun batter" is a nod to Southern cuisine, while the line "Makes you fat or a little fatter" adds a playful touch. The final lines of the song, "to live and die in Dixie," express a deep commitment to the region and its traditions.
Overall, "I Wish I Was in Dixie" is a song that celebrates the culture, heritage, and history of the American South, while also acknowledging the darker elements of that history. The song invites listeners to join in the celebration, but also encourages reflection on the complex legacy of the region.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton,
I long to be in a place where cotton is grown.
Old times there are not forgotten.
I remember and cherish the old way of life in that place.
Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land!
Let's all turn our gaze to Dixie Land together!
In Dixie's Land, where I was born in,
I was born and raised in Dixie Land.
early on one frosty mornin'.
Specifically, I was born on a frosty morning.
I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
I am so excited at the idea of being in Dixie Land!
In Dixie's Land I'll take my stand,
I am committed to living in Dixie Land.
to live and die in Dixie.
In fact, I would like to spend my entire life and eventually die in Dixie Land.
Away, away, away down south in Dixie!
Let's go, go, go all the way down south to Dixie Land!
There's buckwheat cakes and Injun batter,
There are delicious foods like buckwheat cakes and Indian batter in Dixie Land.
Makes you fat or a little fatter.
Eating these foods might cause you to gain a bit of weight.
Then hoe it down and scratch your gravel,
After a good meal, let's dance the night away and have some fun!
To Dixie's Land I'm bound to travel.
I am determined to travel to Dixie Land as soon as possible.
Contributed by Isaac J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Timo Lohva
on Room In The Sky
2 more corrections: "on t' other side of town" & "they say he won't be suited".
Timo Lohva
on Room In The Sky
Also "There's no kinder people" - Not " "kind of ". + "But I've had a note from t' council".
Timo Lohva
on Room In The Sky
Also: "The only consolation, I'll say to be quite fair, I'm sure to get to Heaven, 'cos I'll be halfway there"?
Timo Lohva
on Room In The Sky
I think "winter suitcase" should be "there i'nt a suitcase large enough...."(local dialect for isn't)?