The High Level Ranters - Ranting Lads

Recorded in Stanley and Newcastle, December 1975 and March-April 1976.

Front sleeve: reproduction of painting by W. B. Scott, "Wallington - Industry on The Tyne", by courtesy of The National Trust.

First published by Topic 1976. ℗ Topic 1976.


Sleeve notes - The Tunes.

Fairly Shot Of Her.
From the manuscript collection of Robert Bewick to the 'The Northumbrian Minstrelsy' (1882) and from there to us.

A Wife Of My Own.
From the manuscript of William Vickers, a Northumbrian fiddler from the late 18th Century.

Alston Flower Show.
From 2 versions. The first from Joe Hutton who learnt it from the Bewcastle fiddlers, the second from Billy Pigg.

Jane Of Biddlestone.
One of Billy's own tunes.

Fenwick Of Bywell.
Known as 'Newmarket Races' in older collections, based on an older, probably Scottish, tune called 'Johnny Cock up Thy Beaver'.

Hoop Her And Gird Her.
From Köhlers' 'Violin Repository'.

Success To The Fleet.
From the fascinating manuscript of William Vickers.

The Songs.

Dance To Yer Daddy.
Words and tune from the 4th volume of Catcheside Warrington's 'Tyneside Song' (1927).

The Lass Doon On The Quay.
From the singing of James Boyles of Sunderland.

The Kielder Hunt.
Words from 'Fanny Blosooms' collection of Northumbrian poems by William Armstrong published in the late 19th century. Tune from the singing of Willie Scott, the boarder shepherd.

Fortune Turns The Wheel
Learnt from the singing of Louis Killen, who collected it from Alan Rogerson.

Elsie Marley.
Words from Bell's 'Rhymes of Northern Bards'(1812), tune from the 'The Northumbrian Minstrelsy' (1882)

Here's The Tender Comin'.
Press gang song from 'The Northumbrian Minstrelsy' and Terry's 'Salt Sea Ballads' (1931).

Stanley Market.
Tommy Armstrong song. Tune is the well known 'Fiery Clock Fyece' / 'Fiery Clockface.