BEDLAM BORN

1. Well Done Liar

(4.35  Adapted from Traditional lyrics - 'Who's the fool now'  . Melody, Arrangement and new chorus by Bob Johnson)
 
Album notes -  This song comes from the sixteenth century and is thought to be a satire on those who tell wonderful stories “to make other idiots laugh and wise men to cry ‘Who's the fool now?’” As such, it is a reflection of the way in which I have perceived my role on stage over the past 28 years; that is to say, as a teller of wonderful stories. Thank you for listening.

The original traditional song (Who's the Fool Now' that was the basis for Bob's adaptation, was sung by the band in 2006 and appears on 'Live at Distance' Live CD/DVD (2009). Tim and Maddy also sang this version as a duo. 

The song was sung live in 1999 prior to being recorded and was at a higher temp with a slightly different melody in the chorus. It was not then heard live after release due to Bob leaving.

2. Who Told the Butcher

(2.58 Written by Peter Knight)

Album notes:  I put down my fiddle when forming this riddle; Intending to please you and tease you besides; For the butcher will seek every pool, every creek; Till he finds the dark places where old Brownie hides.

The song is based on terms used in Fly Fishing, mainly names for the flies whilst 'Old Brownie' is a trout

3. John of Ditchford

(3.43  Based on traditional lyrics. Tune and Arrangement by Tim Harries)
Bob is not featured on this track with electric guitar played by Tim.

Album notes:  Adapted from 'A Lynching (1322)' by Eric Jenkins from his book Northampton Murder Tales (1998)
Tim described it on stage as:  "about the danger of seeking sanctuary in the church in the 14th century if you have a bit of blood on your hands."

4. I See His Blood upon the Rose

(4.68. Words - Joseph Plunkett; Music by Gay Woods. Arranged by Tim and Gay  )

Album notes:   For my brother Austin Corcoran, painter, poet, alchimist
Also in memory of Joseph Plunkett (1887-1916), poet, executed in the “1916 Rising”.

5. Back Swan

(1.50 Written by Tim Harries) Features only Peter and Tim. 

6. The Beggar

(3.00 Traditional lyrics. Music and arrangement by Bob Johnson) 

Album notes:  There were many songs in the mid-seventeenth century concerning drinking, begging & madness. The distinction between alcoholism and insanity was very blurred and Bethlehem Mental Hospital (Bedlam) was full of society's rejects. On a lighter note, this song could be thought of as the folk-rock equivalent of the Hollywood musical song “We're a couple of swells—we dine at the best hotels—etc.

7. Poor Old Soldier

(2.20 Written by Peter Knight) 

Album notes - Never a soldier to run from the enemy. Always a soldier to take the front line.
Brave to the end without comrade or friend. March on, dear friend of mine.

Peter has since revealed that this was written about Maddy Prior when she left Steeleye in 1997.

8. Arbour

(1.26 Music - Tim Harries; Words - Gay Woods)
Bob does not feature on this track.

Album Notes (Gay): From a dream, for Carl Gustav Jung. Spoken part (the prose bit) - The Evergreen Flame.

9. There Was a Wealthy Merchant 

(4.58 based on traditional lyrics ('Jackie Munro'). Music and Arrangement by Tim Harries)

The track only features Gay, Dave Mattacks and Tim who played Bass, Guitar's and keyboard. I don't know why Peter was not involved but has said since that this is one of his favourite tracks from the album.
 
No album notes but we know that the lyrics are from the Grateful Dead version of 'Jack-a-Roe'. Tim was a Grateful Dead fan.

10. Beyond the Dreaming Place

(3.04 Music by Peter Knight; Words by Gay Woods)
Bob does not feature on this track. 

Album notes:  For Ian, landscape sculptor, storyteller.
May the light in the tops of the trees always guide you home.
-- Love, Gay

11. We Poor Labouring Men

(5.05 Traditional. Arrangement by Bob Johnson)

Album notes: I would like to dedicate this song to the memory of A.L.Lloyd, who stage managed the folk revival in the sixties and without whom 'Steeleye' wouldn't have had access to so much material. I have heard him sing this song about thirty years ago and immediately loved its simple statement and unusual melody...thank you Bert. Bob.

Unusually this track was in the set list 1994/95 but didn't appear again before being recorded here, although was not then played live at this time. The earlier live version was slightly more up tempo. It did also appear on sessions in 1971 sung by Maddy but was never released.

12. The Connemara Cradle Song

(5.38 Words - Delia Murphy. Music - adapted from the tune of 'Down in the Valley' )
Bob again does not feature.

Album notes -  Inspired to sing this song after hearing a play on RTE Radio: “Riders to the Sea” by J.M. Synge. For the West Wind and the Atlantic Ocean.

13. Stephen

(4.25 Traditional lyrics (Child 22 - 'St Stephen and Herod'). Arrangement by Tim Harries - verse melody adapted from "St Nicholas, Godes Druth" by St Godric (12 Century) and the remaining melody by Tim)
Bob plays acoustic guitar

14. The White Cliffs of Dover

(3.06 Written by Burt/Kent. Arrangement by Gay Woods)
The intro is from 'There'll always be an England' Written by Parker/Charles
No Bob on this track.

Album notes -  For Vera Lynn, the RAF, the North Yorkshire sheep farmers, anti G.M. crop activists, the homeless and those who didn't make it to see the beautiful white cliffs of Dover.