The Vicar of Bray (Traditional) (Lyrics) Arr.P.M.Adamson
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- I found this in The National Songbook. Certainly one that got away for me. There are various versions including a Queen Anne verse which I and the songbook omitted.
Learnt this song at school in the 50’s. Has come to my mind often during the recent chaos and frequent changes in the Tory leadership!
It is certainly timeless when you look at The whole History of Politics. Thanks for commenting. I wonder if anyone will write a modern version.
I only recently discovered this song, and I love your version! Even though I'm an American, I can't help but feel an affinity for these old British tunes. Thank you for keeping them alive!
Thanks Ian. Much appreciated. I also haver that same affinity for The USA Folk Music as you can see on my channel which includes several Steven Foster songs and many others. I had some relatives back in the 1960's who lived in New Jersey (East Orange) and was always excited when the Mail had the American stamp on it and the words Air Mail. I'd never been on a plane at that point so it had that extra magic and Aunty Ethel always said from across the pond.
Sadly that branch of our family ceased as there were no other children after hers and we lost touch after she passed. Both sons would now be in their 120's so assume no longer with us. We used to send recordings of our Family Music over at Christmas on little reel to reel tape. Great fun and memories of childhood.
There is in fact an American parody of this song that's a jab at certain colonists during the Revolutionary period who flip-flopped back and forth between supporting and not supporting indepedence as suited them. It's on UA-cam, titled "The American Vicar of Bray" (and the person that it's particularly needling, if you were curious, was John Dickinson).
There's a New World Records CD that came out in the 1990s called the "Birth of Liberty", I remember. It's recordings of popular American songs, marches and ditties from 1776 to 1783. "The American Vicar of Bray" is on that recording. It's about a guy who kept switching loyalty between George III and the new United States. I'm hazy on the historical details. It's the same tune with different words, obviously.
Back in the 1950s we used to sing this at school. Didn't really understand what it was about then but I daresay it's too contentious for today's school curriculum anyway.
Thanks Aled. I couldn't imagine a Music Department using this as times have changed with computer generated Music, loops and samples along with backing tracks of popular forms. While I have no objection to those things as they do get youngsters into Music, it saddens me that the English (and to a lesser extent the UK) has turned it's back on it's own heritage. Strangely back in the 50's The National Songbook was encouraged in schools and seemed to get taken out when The National Curriculum was introduced. That said, I think this particular song could have its place in a History lesson if the History teachers are still around from the National Songbook era.(It was used upto the1980's and gradually faded away apart from a handful of schools) I know some contemporary writers have updated the lyrics to include modern political issues but again these could be controversial in our PC age. Your commented is much appreciated.
"Law 8 - Change to the winning team when you are losing" lol I like that part
Thanks for commenting and glad you like that rule. Children do that but it's sad when adults change sides especially in Politics and Religion. Lol
We did these old songs in school , Thankyou for bringing back the memories
Thanks John. It's great to know there are people out there who appreciate the heritage of these great songs, which were dropped from The English national curriculum when it was introduced until I complained in my capacity as a teacher and they were loosely put in as Songs from the British isles without reference to the original National songbook. Schools now seem to just let children download backing tracks and sing over the top with little being done to teach traditional skills of performance - Of Course that is a generalisation and there are still some great teachers doing sterling work in a subject that is often under-rated and underfunded.
we sang these songs including sea shanties at school in the late 1940's in England. We also sang hymns every school morning in assembly. So we got a good training in standing and singing properly.
I find that people in New Zealand cannot sing in any assembly because they lacked this training in State Schools
@@mavisemberson8737 Thanks Mavis for adding to the discussion. I also sang them in England during the late 50's and early sixties and they played an important part in setting me up for a Music career. As a teacher of Music from 1978+ it was my mission to keep up these songs and was annoyed when the National curriculum dropped the national songbook which was the main source of this material. In fact when the National Curriculum was in it's draft stage it included everything except Music of the British isles which iI complained about and in fairness it was added into the final document. In my later years of teaching I noticed a massive decline in both Hymn singing and folk singing , although I never gave in to pupil pressure and now so many schools rely on youtube backing tracks and popular culture (which has it's place I don't dispute) at the expense of keeping music traditions alive.
It is also a concern that if we continue down this technology road (and again that has it's place in Education) we could lose the traditional skills of performing Live and playing real instruments, leaving it in the domain of the privileged.
From my observations in schools I have no doubt that youngsters would enjoy these songs today if presented with the opportunity in a balanced Music curriculum. Best wishes from the Uk. Apart from Singing you are probably better off in New Zealand.
Such a catchy tune! Amazing Cover.I do love this song!🇬🇧.
Thank you so much for your kind comments.
another great version of an old English song. Well done Adamson.
Thanks Melanie. It's always a challenge to give traditional songs a modern feel without losing the feel of the traditional version.
Great rendition! Remember singing this in school. Almost reminds me of the opinions of the MPs of a certain political party with 5 Prime Ministers in the last 7 years alone...
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes I agree nothing much has changed in Politics and I expect the next time the government changes we will witness similar scandals and people contradicting their previous stances. Are you an influencer by to any chance. As soon as I saw Cappuccino I decided to make a cup of coffee
and normally have tea around now. Lol
These ancient songs....! I like so much ! Thanks Peter, and Best Regards, Bob
Enjoyed listening to this Nice song of old but still speaks of the same situatipn today. Good listening to old music.
Thanks Cathy and great to hear from you. I have been very busy recently and not been able to upload anything while I update and stock take my Music catalogue.. Hope to be back uploading soon with a new Hymn in the pipeline.
+Peter M. Adamson Good to revive old songs. They have more sense and heart.
Very true Cathy.
Very sensible man that Vicar....no use in losing your head for fads and faddles !
Thank you for commenting. So true and pertinent in these difficult times.
Just found this - it's great fun!
Thank you for finding it. Always good to know it has not been lost. I use Hypocrisy as a theme in several of my songs as it is something that fascinates me. The Life of The turncoat. Of course I didn't compose the Vicar Of Bray but it does go towards setting out the flaws of Man and I'm sure there is a bit of it in all of us. We use white lies for example to avoid the real truth or become two faced when it suits us. Glad you found it fun, that is often my intention.
Great Peter...super sing sir.
This is one I've always liked, Peter. It's on my list of songs to do, so I'll get around to it one of these days.
There's another verse between William and George "When Royal Anne became our Queen, the Church of England's glory........."
Thanks for that. So many of these folk songs have extra versions and variations . I research songs before I record but whatever happens verses still slip through. It is frustrating at times but also there is a danger of the song becoming too long. In this instance it would have been nice to have included that verse. Thanks for your comment.
@@pmadamsonSo Queen Anne wasn't in the original lineup? Who knew? But I like the portraits of the historical figures such as the Pope and the Pretender (who would have been King Charles III).
This is brilliant!
Thanks Bill. It is very heart warming to get such great feedback. I have been making music for over 50 years but only since you tube and Download sites has it been sent out to the world. I could never have retired on the proceeds but am really please it has reached so many people and in some cases created new friends through Music making together. Best wishes and thanks again.
Our times are much the same. We could re-write the lyrics about social shifts from 20th century too.
Thank you for the comment. When I recorded this I did wonder whether or not to update the lyrics but was not sure I could do such a move with justice so bottled it. You are so right though and i think some of the later verses of this song were added on to the point that the song could be perpetually ongoing.
Thanks Jack.
Yes Raymond I have one of those lists as well. Strangely though this one wasn't on it as it was one of those that got away. I am currently looking through the National Song book for hidden gems and lost songs so more of those will be appearing soon including many you probably have already done.
The theme for me & the boys doesn't exis-
That's good to hear. I think you'll find it exists in many walks of life though. Stay as you are.
Thanks Bob - There will be more Ancient Songs on the way all being well.
When I sing this, before the last verse I tell the pianist to play the first bit of GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, and then I sing:
"To the illustrious house of MOUNTBATTEN,
And WINDSORITE succession,
To these my alleagiance will have
While they can gain succession!
And to this faith and loyalty
I never will will falter!
ELIZABETH my lawful Queen shall be,
Until the times shall alter!"
The pianist then plays the last phrase of GOD SAVE THE QUEEN while I exit.
That sounds great. You have just given me a "wish I'd have thought of that moment." Thanks for commenting.
@@pmadamsonThe times have altered now - you'd better see what sort of king Charles III is.
@@mumsyxcIf I were to sing it again, I'd come up with another last verse.
I learned this from a cd of freethought song; want to try it soon.
Thanks Jennifer. It is a classic song and has the ability to be upgraded as History rolls on as there are plenty of examples of people turning to keep their popularity. Hope you get round to performing and uploading it.
Best wishes from the UK..
A certain New York politician, a Democrat for most of his life, ran for office as a Republican to avoid a crowded field in the primary election. He won. Toward the end of his time in office he became an independent (not in any party). It’s political party rather than religion, but he sure seems like a modern Vicar of Bray.
Thanks Susan for the comment. Our Local MP recently changed sides in the House of Commons. from Conservative to Labour. He won the seat from Labour which they had held for over 40 years and it has been suggested they will win it back. I suspect it was not a protest at his current party but hedging his bets for the next election. He even voted previously that any MP who changes allegiance should resign and a Byelection be held. Funny thing he hasn't. I think the Vicar of Bray can be applied to Politics as well as religion and probably other areas of life. I'm sure a few sportsmen change teams to increase their chances of winning something but it doesn't win respect. Bring back loyalty I say.
It goes on in sports all the time. I’m a baseball fan, in particular the NY Mets, who seem to have a talent for pulling defeat from the jaws of victory. A lot of us fans are afraid that one of their best pitchers will leave because he’s been (publicly) frustrated at pitching great games for a team that rarely makes the playoffs.
Learned this song in school, before it became "politically incorrect". I have always believed that it sums up religion and politics very aptly. Thanks for the recording!
+Richard Sturdy Thanks Richard for the feedback. I composed a song called ''Never Trust A Christian'' which highlights hypocrisy.
ua-cam.com/video/10C8d37XZe0/v-deo.html
Hope it gives you a smile.
Sums up human nature! He has no religion just a parish appointment he wants to keep.Very worldly :-)
240p, ahh the height of degeneracy of early youtube.
Thanks for commenting but don't blame youtube. We are always learning and at that point in time the images were there to add to the Music. I am very grateful to youtube for helping me get heard across the globe so if 240p, whatever that means, does not cut the mustard then that is down to my incompetency and lack of understanding in such matters.. In the final analysis most people are only as good as the time, effort and money they put into it...The last one being rather sad but unfortunately true.
@@pmadamson it's not really a jab at you nor youtube, it's just a little meme of how the olden days of youtube were mostly videos with bad graphics because of the limitations of technology back in the day, specially since most of them were created for fun and entertainment.
@@mysan7754 That is a great response and much appreciated. One of the problems on you tube are comments that can be taken several ways because voice inflections don't come across in comments. A lot of people on youtube make comments and then when challenged don't explain themselves which you have and I really appreciate that. On the contrary it would have been remiss of me had i not approved it but by doing so I have allowed such a good response. Sadly most of my graphics havn't changed much (LOL) and quality is sometimes hindered by my poor eyesight sometimes. Ageing does that . I will work on that one and of course video software has improved drastically over the time since early youtube days. From my perspective the fun element hasn't changed and if that went out of it I think I would pack up but I know what you mean on that one and totally agree.
Thanks again, it is appreciated and clarified which is a good outcome for us both.
Did you have to put it to such hideous music?
Thank you for your comment. I'll have to give you some credit for that as you are a self confessed hater. Most haters hide behind themselves on youtube but you have the human decency to own up to it which on that basis makes it slightly contradictory. It would be a much better comment however if you if you could back up why it is hideous with some Musical analytical facts which would assist me in improving my performance on youtube. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I will always include criticism if it meets the decency criteria and I cannot complain about your choice of wordas. Best wishes to you and I hope one day you can see Humanity in a better light. Not all people are bad.