Posted by Peter Hyland on July 25, 2004 at 08:18:21 from 81.131.224.240 user Peter_H.
There was a fascinating programme on BBC Radio 4 (UK) last night, in which Mike Harding played some recordings, made in the early 1950s, of old Cumberland farmers singing traditional songs. This was the authentic world of old Mr Swainson. I was hoping that Squire Sandys would be featured but alas, no. However, there was a version of John Peel which sent shivers down my spine, and I felt it was the first time I had really heard the song. The recordings are from a sound archive at Carlisle, and there may actually be a recording of the song Mr Swainson was singing in SW. The programme is on 'Listen Again' on the BBC Radio 4 website - look for 'Archive Hour'.