The obituary in the UK's "The Independent" newspaper for Tony Rose said "A beautifully relaxed interpreter of traditional song, with rare warmth and intimacy, Tony Rose made an indelible mark on the British folk scene. Emerging during the 1970s when folk clubs were still a force to be reckoned with, he was wholly committed to the grass roots scene, eschewing the seemingly sexier terrain of folk rock bands, modern song and political material that seduced so many of his contemporaries.
He loved traditional music and while it never brought him riches – indeed he returned to his first job as a teacher when the folk clubs themselves hit a recession in the late 1980s – he saw no reason to deviate widely from it. Accompanying himself on guitar and English concertina, he established an easy style that was instantly identifiable, putting him on a par with such giants of the era as Martin Carthy and Nic Jones.
Born in Exeter in 1941, Rose was smitten by folk song at Oxford University in the early 1960s, where he had won a scholarship to study Modern Languages at Queen's College. He first heard the British folk pioneers Louis Killen, Shirley Collins, Alex Campbell and Johnny Handle at the university's Heritage Society. He was also profoundly influenced by another West Country singer, Cyril Tawney, the ex-Navy man turned songwriter. Rose cut his musical teeth at his local folk club, the Jolly Porter in Exeter, where he became an occasional member of the resident band the Journeymen.
He moved to London to become a teacher in 1965 but, offered more and more gigs on the burgeoning folk scene, he became a professional singer in 1969. His first album, Young Hunting, in 1970 had a huge impact, mixing West Country songs like "The Bellringing" and "Tavistock Goosey Fair" with comic ditties and testing ballads like "Golden Vanitee" and "Blackwater Side".
With his rich, lyrical voice, a repertoire of largely unfamiliar material and erudite introductions, the long-haired Rose swiftly became an important member of the second wave of the folk revival. The subsquent albums Under The Greenwood Tree in 1971 (with more complex arrangements and also involving Dolly Collins and Peter Knight) and On Banks Of Green Willow in 1976 enhanced his reputation further. On Banks Of Green Willow particularly confirmed his status as a great singer, tackling epic ballads like "The Bonny Hind", "Lord Randall" and "Fanny Blair". Of all his recorded work this was his tour de force.
In the late 1970s he formed a folk "supergroup", Bandoggs, with Pete and Christine Coe and his close friend Nic Jones, in which Rose played, among other things, mouth organ and performed a storming version of Loudon Wainwright's "Swimming Song". Despite acclaimed live work, the group suffered financial and logistical problems, and split up without recording.
Rose returned to his solo career, releasing the 1982 album Poor Fellows (the title track was drawn from Peter Bellamy's groundbreaking folk opera The Transports). This encompassed contemporary song for the first time with thoughtful arrangements of Bob Dylan's "Boots of Spanish Leather" and Richard Thompson's "Down Where The Drunkards Roll". While the album also featured traditional material like "The Yarmouth Tragedy" and "Clerk Saunders", Rose's sense of the absurd was illustrated by the inclusion of his grave interpretation of the kitsch pop standard "The Three Bells," a song he was even occasionally prevailed upon to sing in French as an encore at gigs.
But as the folk scene constricted, artists relying exclusively on the club circuit struggled and Rose ultimately returned to teaching. However, he remained a familiar figure on the scene, gigging occasionally and regularly turning up at West Country folk events such as the Padstow May Day celebrations and Sidmouth Folk Festival. He also worked as a folk journalist.
In 1999 he retired from teaching and made an unlikely return with a new album, Bare Bones, released on his own Boneshaker label, which largely featured new versions of old songs no longer available. Sounding as good as he ever did, he was still easing himself back into the circuit when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. He died in June 2002."
He recorded several LPs for the Trailer label in the 1970s, which outrageously have remained unavailable since Trailer's bankruptcy.
Bridgewater Fair
Tony Rose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come listen to my story bold.
For miles around, from far and near
They come to see the rigs of the fair.
Oh master John, do you beware,
And don't you go kissing the girls at Bridgwater Fair.
From Stowey, Stogursey and Cannington too;
That farmer from Fiddington, true as my life,
He's come to the fair to look for a wife.
Oh master John, do you beware,
And don't you go kissing the girls at Bridgwater Fair.
There's Tom and Jack, they look so gay,
With Sal and Kit they haste away,
To shout and laugh and have a spree
And dance and sing right merrily.
Oh master John, do you beware,
And don't you go kissing the girls at Bridgwater Fair.
There's Carroty Kit, so jolly and fat
With her big flippety floppety hat,
A hole in her stocking as big as a crown
And the hoops of her skirt hanging down to the ground.
Oh master John, do you beware,
And don't you go kissing the girls at Bridgwater Fair.
The jovial ploughboys all serene,
They dance the maidens on the green.
Says John to Mary, "Don't you know
We won't go home till morning, oh."
Oh master John, do you beware,
And don't you go kissing the girls at Bridgwater Fair.
It's up with the fiddle and off with the dance,
The lads and lassies gaily prance,
And when it's time to go away,
They swear to meet again next day.
Oh master John, do you beware,
And don't you go kissing the girls at Bridgwater Fair.
The song "Bridgewater Fair" by Tony Rose is a traditional English folk ballad that tells the story of a fair in the town of Bridgwater, Somerset. The song invites both young and old to listen to the story of the fair, which is a popular gathering place for people from miles around. The rigs of the fair are a source of great excitement and entertainment for all who attend.
The lyrics caution a character named Master John to be wary of the many young women in attendance, warning him not to go around kissing the girls at the fair. The song goes on to describe different groups of people enjoying the day, including lads and lasses from nearby towns, a farmer looking for a wife, and ploughboys who dance with the maidens on the green. The fair is a place for merriment and joy, with fiddles and dancing filling the air.
The song captures the spirit of a traditional English fair, where people from all over come together to enjoy food, drink, entertainment, and each other's company. The cautionary note to Master John adds a touch of humor and warning to the proceedings, reminding us that even in the midst of revelry, we need to be mindful of our actions.
Line by Line Meaning
All you who roam, both young and old,
Attention, everybody wandering around, no matter young or old,
Come listen to my story bold.
Listen carefully to my tale of adventure,
For miles around, from far and near
People come from far and wide, for miles and miles around,
They come to see the rigs of the fair.
They come to see the wagons and carriages at the fair,
Oh master John, do you beware,
Hey, John, you should be careful,
And don't you go kissing the girls at Bridgwater Fair.
Don't go around kissing girls, especially at Bridgwater Fair,
The lads and lasses they come through
Boys and girls walk around the fairgrounds,
From Stowey, Stogursey and Cannington too;
From nearby villages, like Stogursey, Stowey, and Cannington,
That farmer from Fiddington, true as my life,
I swear, there's a farmer from Fiddington here,
He's come to the fair to look for a wife.
He's here looking to find a suitable partner for himself,
There's Tom and Jack, they look so gay,
Tom and Jack appear excited and lively,
With Sal and Kit they haste away,
They're hurrying to meet up with Sally and Katherine,
To shout and laugh and have a spree
To have a great time, shouting and laughing,
And dance and sing right merrily.
And dancing and singing with all their heart,
There's Carroty Kit, so jolly and fat
Here comes Carroty Kit, who looks jolly and overweight,
With her big flippety floppety hat,
Wearing a large and jiggly hat,
A hole in her stocking as big as a crown
Her stocking has a huge tear that looks like a crown,
And the hoops of her skirt hanging down to the ground.
The hoops of her skirt have come loose and are touching the ground,
The jovial ploughboys all serene,
The merry ploughboys look calm and happy,
They dance the maidens on the green.
They dance with young women on the grassy field,
Says John to Mary, "Don't you know
John says to Mary, "You know what,
We won't go home till morning, oh."
We're not leaving until morning,"
It's up with the fiddle and off with the dance,
Start the music and let's dance,
The lads and lassies gaily prance,
Boys and girls dance joyously,
And when it's time to go away,
When it's finally time to leave,
They swear to meet again next day.
They promise to meet again the next day,
Oh master John, do you beware,
Hey, John, you should be careful,
And don't you go kissing the girls at Bridgwater Fair.
Don't go around kissing girls, especially at Bridgwater Fair,
Contributed by Violet Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pup1008
@@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker
Many thanks Dave & thank you for these wonderful uploads.
I think the Gumbles have a big base in the Harlow area. Unfortunately I haven't seen Herb for awhile now & know he had some health concerns. He is probably one of the kindest most genuine men I know & has this wonderful desire to want everyone around him to be "family" & call him "Uncle Herb" & his Mrs "Aunt Silv" although Aunt Silv wasn't quite as keen on the idea especially when Herb brought a continual stream of people back to the house to show them his wonderful photo collection & artifacts from his traveling life!
Don't get me wrong, Herb was a force back in the day & his smashed & scared knuckles could tell a few stories but he is one of those very rare & special souls these days - a REAL character & deeply loved by all who know him. He was famous for breaking into a tap dance if you got enough whisky inside him down the pub!
I'm not easily brought to tears but in light of Herbs unfortunate recent health concerns, the last time I saw him I wanted him to know people loved him so said to him - "You know an awful lot of people think a lot of you Herb...." He just said - "I know boy....I know. "
@cromwellsghost3434
Dave Knowles - Filmmaker
Thank you for your feedback. I spent 2 decades in private sector. I mostly see the bad, it’s hard to remember that overall is good.
However there’s a video of a gypsie site. Where visitors were shot at, then pursued on public roads like smokey and the bandit.
Every town has its players.
Dealers
Thieves
The difference I find when tackling these individuals is they don’t cry about the disrespect in being pulled up.
For me it’s the entitlement these travellers have, and asking others to obey laws, they don’t stand by at all.
I understand a part of the feeling of home free. My van is ordinary looking, however I converted it inside. Bunk, stores and supplies. Some stove. I get surveillance and security work. Even though I’m retired, I get the odd job. I also still train others, so rather than getting expenses like hotel accommodation, I use spare funds to keep van updated.
I find a dark corner or an isolated verge. When I leave an area there’s no trace of my presence. Another reason people get miffed, (fly tipping)
The feeling of freedom, waking up in a different place and living in your own terms, I get it.
@brianchester4218
When i was a kid the traveling ladies use to knock on the door and sell you clover or pegs, mum and dad always bought some thing, these people were friendly the men folk did gardening or knife sharpening, how times have changed
@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker
When we first got married and lived on the edge of the New Forest we also often had visits from gypsies selling lucky heather. One lady we became good friends with and she sold flowers outside Woolworths in Southampton. I used to often stop and chat to her when I was working in Southampton at Southern TV. This lady was in fact the grand daughter of the last Queen of the Gypsies who lived in the New Forest at Shave Green. One thing about Harriette was all the flowers she sold were bought early that morning at the flower market and she was a very proud lady and would never take any handouts. She lived in a very nice caravan with her husband and used to travel around until the council decided to give her and other traveller a permanent site. The problem was the site they were given was down a very muddy lane by Marchwood Incinerator where the atmosphere did little for her husband bad health.
@brianchester4218
@@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker These were really nice people indeed always polite for sure and would help you for a small fee shame the modern ones have ruined their image however so has our current people so sad take care Dave
@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker
@@brianchester4218 Not all modern ones but we as humans always seem to remember the worse. When I look at all the mess the non gypsy people left a couple of weekends ago I do sometimes wonder if it is just humans generally that are the problem.
@pegknife
@@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker There's no such thing as a gypsy queen/king,it's a myth made up by non Gypsies/false story by Travellers to earn a few shillings "Dukkering" /Hawking wares.
@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker
@@pegknife That is not quite correct. A Gypsy Queen, is a title given to female Gypsies considered leaders within their community, and/or through inheritance of title.
@tallypaige5275
Think they should do re runs of Jack Hargreaves late on a Sunday morning.Everyone watched it before Sunday dinner.Such a lovely programme.I especially loved him going fishing.As a girl I often went with dad.Nowadays kids just sit glued to the telly,mobile texting,non communitive,apart from the odd I'm hungry,order pizza',..I hanker after the old days,growing up in the East End of London.
@MattHayesfish
Jack is a legend. As someone who has tried broadcasting, I can appreciate just what an amazing talent and influencer he was. Jack Hargreaves has been the biggest influence on my new podcast, Fishing Tales. Great to see that you are keeping his legacy alive, Dave!
@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker
Hi Matt, Thank you for your nice comments.
Yes you are completely right. I don't think a lot of people know how special his talent of story telling was. He never had a script even into his late 70's and his memory for facts was better than mine has ever been. He just sat there watching a monitor running the edited sections (which he had only seen once before) and chatted over them.
I wish I could do this as although I now am doing the voice overs I find it very difficult even with a script.
@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker
Hi Matt, just enjoyed one of your YouTube videos. Maybe one day we could do a video together following a Jack Hargreaves fishing trip at the same place he fished and comparing it to fishing today.