1. Awake, Awake
(Traditional lyrics. 5.06. Adapted and tune by Tim Hart?)
Based on chapter 4 of the 'Song Of Solomon' from the Bible. This is not the 'normal' traditional song 'Awake Awake' / 'The Drowsy Sleeper' / 'The Silver Dagger. I believe the tune to be original.
Exert from 'Song of Solomon' :
'Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.' LIVE/RELEASES:
[1977] UK Summer 'Original Masters' tour; Nov/Dec Winter dates.
[1978] UK Farewell Tour.
'Live at the De Montfort Hall CD' (2019)
2. Sweep, Chimney Sweep
(4.45, Trad.) Originally sang by the Copper family in 1951 and here sung a capella.
LIVE/RELEASES:
[1977] UK Summer 'Original Masters' tour (probably); Nov/Dec Winter dates.
[1978] UK Farewell Tour.
'Live at the De Montfort Hall CD' (2019)
[1995]
Sept
: War Child Charity 'Reunion' Concert
'The Journey Concert CD' (1999)
3. The Wife of the Soldier
(2.40, Brecht).
Based on a 2nd World War poem by Brecht. Martin Carthy used to sing this version and he got it from the singing of Isla Cameron based on music by Johnny Scott.
LIVE/RELEASES:
[1977] UK Summer 'Original Masters' tour (probably); Nov/Dec Winter dates.
[1995]
Sept
: War Child Charity 'Reunion' Concert
'The Journey Concert CD' (1999)
4. The Victory
(8.37 based on traditional lyrics. Melody and arrangement Rick Kemp with help from Martin Carthy). I am convinced part of the melody is from 'John Barleycorn' (The Fairport Convention version.
LIVE/RELEASES:
[1977] UK Summer 'Original Masters' tour (probably); Nov/Dec Winter dates.
[1978] UK Farewell Tour.
5. The Black Freighter
(5.59 Breicht) Also known as 'Pirate Jenny' from 'The Threepenny Opera' where a barmaid has a fantasy about getting revenge on all the rich patrons.
Partnered with Saucy Sailor when played live (and on the Live at Last Album
LIVE/RELEASES:
[1977] UK Summer 'Original Masters' tour; Nov/Dec Winter dates.
[1978] UK Farewell Tour.
'Live At Last' Album;
'Live at the De Montfort Hall CD' (2019)
[1995]
Sept
: War Child Charity 'Reunion' Concert. Not included in Live CD 'The Journey'
6. Some Rival
(3.23 Traditional) Known as 'Some Tyrant Has Stolen My True Love Away. Rick played acoustic guitar when played live.
LIVE/RELEASES:
[1977] UK Summer 'Original Masters' tour
7. Treadmill Song
(6.12, Trad.) Also known as 'Gaol Song'. Another one Martin Carthy introduced. The text was derived from workhouse singers in 1906 and is believed to have been written by a prison inmate. When sung live was usually a partnered with another prison song 'Sweet Swansea', a track not released officially.
LIVE/RELEASES:
[1977] UK Summer 'Original Masters' tour; Nov/Dec Winter dates.
[1978] UK Farewell Tour
8. Seventeen Come Sunday
(5.08, Trad.) Introduced and sung by John Kirpatrick. Also known as 'As I Roved Out' and faithful to the Harry Cox version (
HERE) who is the source for many songs sung by Steeleye over the years.
The only new song introduced by this line up that has been played by another Steeleye line up (2019)
LIVE/RELEASES:
[1977] Various Nov/Dec Winter dates.
[1978] UK Farewell Tour
'Live at the De Montfort Hall CD' (2019)
[1995]
Sept
: War Child Charity 'Reunion' Concert. Not included in Live CD 'The Journey'
[2019] UK 50th Anniversary Tour.
'50th Anniversary Tour DVD/CD'.; Barbican 50th Anniversary Concert - with guests Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick who sang in along with Benji