This anthology of folksong contains a representative selection of the genre from both sides of the Atlantic. Some of the arrangements are well-known, other have been made especially for this recording. The collection, spanning many centuries, from the 13th to the twentieth, celebrates a tradition in which music belongs to everyone. In the musical settings of these simple and artless songs we bridge the gap between folksong as a museum-piece and folksong as a living and vibrant part of our own culture.

English, arr. John Cameron
1     Blow the wind southerly

English, arr. Edward Higginbottom
2     Early one morning
       Nicholas Fuggle - treble; Eamonn Dougan - baritone

Irish, arr. Percy Grainger
3     Londonderry Air

Irish, arr. anon
4     The Minstrel Boy

J L Molloy, arr. Alec Rowley
5     The Kerry Dance

Ralph Vaughan Williams
6     Linden Lea

Irish, arr. Edward Higginbottom
7     Down by the Sally Gardens

Lincolnshire, arr. Percy Grainger
8     Brigg Fair
       Philip Cave - tenor

Scottish, arr. R Vaughan Williams
9     Loch Lomond

American, arr. James Erb
10    Shenandoah

English, arr. Louis Halsey
11    O no John!

Medieval English round c.1280
12    Sumer is icumen in

Somerset, arr. Edward Higginbottom
13    Waly, waly
        Roderick Morris - treble; Eamonn Dougan - baritone

A C Macleod, arr. Heathcote Statham
14    The Skye Boat Song

Spiritual, arr. Brian Trant
15    Steal away

English, arr. R Vaughan Williams
16    Greensleeves

English, arr. Edward Bairstow
17    The Oak and the Ash

Welsh, arr. Gordon Jacob
18    The Ash Grove

Traditional melody, arr. John Cameron
19    My love is like a red, red rose
        Ben Hulett - tenor

Spiritual, arr. H T Burleigh & N C Page
20    Swing low, sweet chariot

Total Playing time: 63'30"   DDD
Recorded in the Chapel of New College Oxford, 10 – 13 January, 7 – 10 April & 14 – 17 July 1997
Released 1997
Re-released April 2011
Erato 2564-67545-9

"New College enjoyed a great success with its choir’s Agnus Dei record and is likely, I should think, to have another with this... The fine tone (with a likeable individuality in that of the trebles), the intelligent phrasing, clear enunciation and sensitive shading are all admirable. There are some good soloists too, outstanding among them being the tenor Philip Cave who sings so beautifully in Brigg Fair. Recorded sound is fine - not at all churchy though in fact recorded in the Chapel - and the booklet is attractively produced."

The Gramophone