Now We are Six

1. Seven Hundred Elves

(5.11, Lyrics based on the Danish Ballad 'Eline of Villenskow' which has 37 verses! Arranged by Bob but with a newly written Chorus)

Not sure of the origins of the tune but it is a variant of the tune used on 'We Poor Labouring Men' (which Maddy sung on the Sept '71 Steeleye BBC Session). Note Bob's 2000 version on Bedlam born has a much changed tune. 
Only originally played on one tour in the UK when released. Dropped for the '74 US and all subsequent tours. This was the other song, along with Thomas the Rhymer that Ian Anderson said he had input on as 'Production Assistant' on the album. 

2. Edwin

(4.40, Trad - 'Young Edwin in the Lowlands Low') Sung by Rick using the melody first collected by Vaughan Williams. 
As with Seven Hundred Elves it was only originally played on one tour in the UK when released. Dropped for the '74 US and all subsequent tours.  

3. Drink Down the Moon / The Cuckoo

(6.21, Trad. Introduced by Maddy) 
The first part is usually known as 'The Bird in the Bush' or 'Three Maidens a-milking' and is sung here using the same melody as A.J. Lloyd.  The Cuckoo has many variants and tunes both in America and the UK

Maddy (2002) - 'Another of Bert Lloyd's discoveries. I think I must have heard Annie Briggs sing this first. A deeply sensual lyric, deftly matched to a fascinating tune. Followed by the raw, Scottish double-entendre of the Cuckoo's Nest.'
Re-Recorded for the 'Present' Album (2002)

4. Now We are Six

(2.23, Steeleye Span)
Three old riddles to which the answers are 'egg', 'teeth' and 'snow'

5. Thomas the Rhymer 

(6.44, Trad. Lyrics. Bob Johnson - Tune & Arrangement)
Although based on Child ballad 37 this is another big ballad given a completely new adaptation by Bob for which he also wrote the music. The title character is the medieval prophet - Thomas of Ercildourne. (also known as 'Truthful Thomas'.
One of the two tracks that Ian Anderson said he did some work on in his role as 'Production Consultant' on the album, and seemingly his main contribution was to edit it down for the shorter single release. The US LP included this shorter 'single edit' and the first CD release included this shorter version. The BGO CD release included the full version as have most subsequent releases on collections etc. Always played as the longer version live apart from a BBC Session in '74 when first released. 

Bob (2002) -' We 'did' this ballad in English literature at school and I was fascinated even then, by it's rich imagery and the deadly combination of beauty and power possessed by the Queen of Elfland. Some legends state that Thomas was sent back to Earth after seven years, with the gift of prophetic powers. others say that he returned to Elfland and is expected to come back to Earth again at some future time....'

- 8th Feb 1974 Single (3.14 single 'edit')
- Re-Recorded for the 'Present' Album (2002)

6. The Mooncoin Jig

(3.50, Traditional)
Mooncoin is a town in South Kilkenny, S.E Ireland. 

- 8th Feb 1972: B-Side to Thomas the Rhymer Single

7. Long-A-Growing

(4.02, Trad.) Well known traditional song more commonly known as 'The Trees They Grow so High'

One of many from the album chronically underplayed. 

LIVE/RELEASES:
[1974] Feb BBC Session;  Penshurst Place - Electric Folk TV Series.  
[2011] UK Spring Tour; UK Autumn 'Now We are Six' Tour. Now We are Six Again Live CD (2011)

8. Two Magicians

(4.23, Trad. Child 44 - From the very old and international theme of shapeshifting and version are found in various forms across Europe) It appears the Steeleye version uses an original tune for the Chorus but I can't be sure. 

Maddy - (2002) 'This rather light and jolly piece cloaks old and profound ideas about the nature of magic and witches. The blacksmith was early thought to have the arts of alchemy because of the magical use and forging of iron. And the ability to shapeshift was fundamental to all witches, for how else would they achieve their hidden work'
- Re-Recorded for the 'Present' Album (2002)

9. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

(1.32, Trad.)
Teh voices were by the band trying to sing like children - no trickery was involved, Listen out for Nigel singing 'Twinkle twinkle little bat'.

10. To Know Him is to Love Him

(2.40, Featuring David Bowie on Alto Sax)
The band decided they needed a sax on the track and Rick had known David for a long time so they decided to get in touch as David had said he liked their music. Ian Anderson recalls that he went to ask Bowie. Apparently Bowie had not been asked to play Sax before had to go out and buy a new strap and work out how to fit it in the session! The idea for the song was to reflect the 'Rockers Encore' that the band had been doing at the time which involved various 50's Rock N Roll classics, although it is not known for certain if this specific song was actually ever included as part of it.