music for your february farm projects
Check this out from Robin Grey: The Ballad of Hawkwood. One of our new favorites.
The melody comes from an old english murder ballad called 'The Two Sisters' which I first heard performed by Rachael Dadd. Tom Waits does a recording which is very good if you want to hear the original.
lyrics
Mulch, sow and then reap
There is a fine gent christened Ru Litherland
And he has green fingers on both of his hands
I’ll be good to the land and the land will be good to me
With the vicar’s fair daughter he dreamed a bold dream
To grow food for his kinsmen as nature decreed.
By the edge the forest they spied a fine patch
And to grow fruit and veg there a plan they did hatch.
The men of the hour dreamed of buildings not plants
A development would far more there profits enhance.
Our forefathers fought for this fair forest land
So now against the law was the businessman’s plan.
After twelve months had past did the council relent
Now we’ll work the earth as our forefathers meant.
Now if you past by here you may hear a tune:
Mulch, sow and then reap
Now if you past by here you may hear a tune,
The melody is old and the words will be soon.
I’ll be good to the land and the land will be good to me
Inspired by the timeless work of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Joanna Newsom amongst many others, Robin colours in his songs about love and life with guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, piano, double bass, organ, percussion toys and any other instruments he can afford and fit into his little studio.
His music has been described as ‘gently experimental nu-folk’ and compared to Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Richard Thompson and Harry Chaplin – he is a bit distressed by the misspelling of the word ‘new’ and has no idea who Harry Chaplin is.
With his live show, Robin has graced the boards of Cecil Sharpe House, The Southbank Centre, Wilton Music Hall and The Union Chapel as well as performing closer to the earth around London’s gardens; King Henry’s Walk, The Urban Physic Garden, The Centre For Wildlife Gardening and Dalston Eastern Curve to name but a few.
Robin has released three albums ‘Only The Missile‘, ‘Strangers With Shoes‘ and ‘The Nearest Door‘ on creative commons label ‘modifythevan‘, receiving excellent reviews in the blogsphere. He is very lucky to have recently acquired a superb backing group and is currently discovering the joys and frustrations of having his own band.