FTX-139 - OVER THE DOGGER BANK

SAM LARNER'S SAUCY SEA SONGS

A selection of 21 ballads & sea-songs, recorded at the age of 80, from one of the great North Sea herring fishermen. Born in 1878, he went to sea at eight, and spent 8 years on sailing luggers, then steam drifters, until the Depression in the 1930's finally forced him home. Sam's repertoire, like that of Harry Cox of Yarmouth, although it contained many sea songs, also includes classic "Child" Ballads, as well as love songs and comical ditties.

1. SAILING OVER THE DOGGER BANK - 1'55"

2. PRETTY POLLY (or THE GOSPORT TRAGEDY) - 3'59"

3. NO, SIR, NO - 4'02"

4. THE GAME OF CARDS - 3'43"

5. GREEN BROOMS - 2'07"

6. THE DOLPHIN (or LIVERPOOL PLAY) - 3'01"

7. LIST YOU SEAMEN UNTO ME (or THE LADS ON SHORE) - 1'44"

8. THE WILD ROVER - 2'32"

9. CLEAR AWAY THE MORNING DEW (or THE BAFFLED KNIGHT/ Child 112) - 2'11"

10. Talk & 2 song fragments: (a) KING WILLIAM AND THE KEEPER (1v) (b) THE ROBBER (2v talk after) - 2'08"

11. THE LONDON STEAMER (talk after) - 2'50"

12. OLD BOB RIDLEY-O (Minstrel Song/ talk bef & aft) - 2'26"

13. THE FALSE-HEARTED MAN (THE OUTLANDISH KNIGHT: Child #4) - 3'07"

14. THE GREASY COOK (talk after) - 3'20"

15. HENRY MARTIN (Child 250) - 2'02"

16. BARBARY ELLEN (Child 84) - 2'52"

17. THE BOLD PRINCESS ROYAL - 3'43"

18. NAPOLEON'S DREAM (talk after) - 3'02"

19. WINDY OLD WEATHER (or THE FISHES SONG) - 1'11"

20. THE HAYMAKING COURTSHIP - 2'22"

Recorded by Philip Donnellan, Winterton, Norfolk 1965. Edited by Peter Kennedy and first published on Folktrax Cassettes 1975.

SAM LARNER (1878-1965) was recorded at his home in Winterton, Norfolk, just before the celebration of his 80th birthday on October 18th 1965. Born in Winterton, about 15 miles north of Yarmouth, he was one of nine children and first went to sea at the age of eight. At 12 he signed on as a cabin-boy aboard a sailing lugger, and spent the next 8 years on the North Sea herring luggers. In 1899 he made his first voyage on a steam drifter and continued with them until the Depression days of the thirties forced him to stay ashore. He died on 11th. September, 1965.

Sam's songs and style are similar to that of HARRY COX, who also came from a fishing family living near Yarmouth and who recorded an extensive repertoire which is available on FOLKTRAX FTX-032 SEVENTEEN COME SUNDAY English Love Songs - FTX-033 JACK ON THE ROCKS English Sea Songs - FTX-034 THE BARLEY STRAW Documentary incl 14 songs, with fiddle and melodeon tracks.