John Howarth vocal & banjo, whistle; Gerry Kearns vocal & guitar; Larry Kearns vocal & mandolin , whistle
In flowery July upon Healey’s proud Height,
As the plover sprung from the morass,
And southward the cuckoo was taking his flight,
And the corncrake was deep in the grass;
The swallow and swift were aloft in the air,
And the starling was feeding her young;
The milkmaid was tending her cattle with care,
And the haymakers cheerfully sung –
Chorus
‘The maidens of Burnley in satin or silk,
Are pretty, I freely confess;
But give me the maid who is neatly arrayed
In a beautiful calico dress”.
They may praise the Italian ladies in vain,
Or the maidens of France or Peru,
Or worship the languishing beauties of Spain,
And the blushing Circassians, too.
But she whom I love has an eye like a sloe,
And her cheeks are like roses in June,
So graceful each step as she trips like a doe,
And her sweet ruby lips are in tune.
Chorus
The maidens of Burnley, etc.
Should fortune or friendship impel me to roam,
Or a thirst after changes constrain,
I’d still call the banks of Old Healey my home,
And I’d sing of its beauties again.
Sweet gardens of roses, or art-cultured bowers,
May delight a poor soul to possess;
But give me Old Healy, bedecked with wild flowers,
And the girl in the calico dress.
Chorus
The maidens of Burnley, etc.
Words Henry Nutter
Arrangement © Oldham Tinkers
In flowery July upon Healey’s proud Height,
As the plover sprung from the morass,
And southward the cuckoo was taking his flight,
And the corncrake was deep in the grass;
The swallow and swift were aloft in the air,
And the starling was feeding her young;
The milkmaid was tending her cattle with care,
And the haymakers cheerfully sung –
Chorus
‘The maidens of Burnley in satin or silk,
Are pretty, I freely confess;
But give me the maid who is neatly arrayed
In a beautiful calico dress”.
They may praise the Italian ladies in vain,
Or the maidens of France or Peru,
Or worship the languishing beauties of Spain,
And the blushing Circassians, too.
But she whom I love has an eye like a sloe,
And her cheeks are like roses in June,
So graceful each step as she trips like a doe,
And her sweet ruby lips are in tune.
Chorus
The maidens of Burnley, etc.
Should fortune or friendship impel me to roam,
Or a thirst after changes constrain,
I’d still call the banks of Old Healey my home,
And I’d sing of its beauties again.
Sweet gardens of roses, or art-cultured bowers,
May delight a poor soul to possess;
But give me Old Healy, bedecked with wild flowers,
And the girl in the calico dress.
Chorus
The maidens of Burnley, etc.
Words Henry Nutter
Arrangement © Oldham Tinkers
Lancashire has a tradition of praising its ladies in song and poetry. This is one such poem, written by the nineteenth century Burnley poet Henry Nutter, turned into song by Gerry Kearns and rendered by the three lads accompanied by two whistles and a guitar.
On the road between Rochdale and Burnley is a rise called Rushy Hill. Nearby is Healey Dell, a beauty spot and indeed a nature reserve. In these beautiful natural surroundings Henry Nutter places his ideal girl.
On the road between Rochdale and Burnley is a rise called Rushy Hill. Nearby is Healey Dell, a beauty spot and indeed a nature reserve. In these beautiful natural surroundings Henry Nutter places his ideal girl.
First published by Topic 1977
Sit Thee Down LP 12TS323 STEREO
The Oldham Tinkers
Gerry Kearns vocal, guitar
Larry Kearns vocal, mandolin, whistle
John Howarth vocal, banjo, whistle
First published by Topic 1977
Recorded and produced by Tony Engle in London
Notes by Larry Kearns
Sleeve design by Tony Engle
Illustration by John Atkinson
Re-released on C.D. by Pier Records in 2002 under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England.
The C.D. The Oldham Tinkers, ‘Sit Thee Down’ PIERCD 505
A classic Lancashire folk album, available for the first time on CD, with four bonus tracks and full song notes.
Sit Thee Down LP 12TS323 STEREO
The Oldham Tinkers
Gerry Kearns vocal, guitar
Larry Kearns vocal, mandolin, whistle
John Howarth vocal, banjo, whistle
First published by Topic 1977
Recorded and produced by Tony Engle in London
Notes by Larry Kearns
Sleeve design by Tony Engle
Illustration by John Atkinson
Re-released on C.D. by Pier Records in 2002 under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England.
The C.D. The Oldham Tinkers, ‘Sit Thee Down’ PIERCD 505
A classic Lancashire folk album, available for the first time on CD, with four bonus tracks and full song notes.