Horn of the Hunter

We learned this from Maddy Prior and the late (how it grieves me to write that) Tim Hart. I can do no better than quote what they said about the song in the sleeve notes to their first album in 1968. ‘Also known as Old John Peel this is one of the most popular songs amongst the Cumberland huntsmen and was probably written before the better known songs about John Peel. This is a collation of two versions collected by Geoff Woods from Jim Hewittson of Egremont and Miley Wilson of Lamplaugh.’

Step It Out Mary

I first heard this song many years ago and thought it was traditional and Scottish. How wrong could I be? This tragic tale of matchmaking before the Internet, was written by Sean McCarthy of Co Kerry in fairly recent history. As well as being a singer, McCarthy was a radio presenter for RTE.

Old Pendle

Two brothers, Milton and Allen Lambert, writing under the pen name of Milton Allen wrote a song called 'Old Pendle'. Many years later, the late Brian Osborne discovered the words, added a verse, and wrote the tune that we use here. This was the first song that we sang together. We rehearsed one verse in the pool room at the Hare and Hounds in Abbey Village using a borrowed guitar. Five minutes later, we stood up and performed it. That is singing by the seat of your pants!

Rosemary's Sister

Huw Williams has a knack of capturing everyday experiences from a different time in a few lines. This one we learned from the singing of Simon Nicol of Fairport Convention. It tells of a girl killed in a World War Two air raid, and the feelings this leaves in those left behind.

My Husband's Got No Courage in Him

A traditional song learned from the singing of Maddy Prior and June Tabor. It’s not about anybody either of us know – it’s just a great song.

Ye Jacobites

We learned this originally from the McCallmans and it was one of the first songs we learned together. The words are by Robbie Burns but the origin of the tune is a mystery, but it is used in other Scottish traditional songs. It was playing this song, more than any other, that led to our name. It never comes out quite the same and it really is a bit like playing by the seat of the pants.

Sorrow

Learned by Heather from the singing of John Jacob Niles, who knew it as ‘Lass from the Low Country’. Niles was a prolific writer and collector of songs. We are not sure if he wrote or simply collected this one but it is a powerful ballad with a sad message.