This blog is where I share resources from each Imaginary Song Hunt session, along with a Zoom video for anyone who wants to catch up. Feel free to use the ‘comments’ box below to share feedback, fun facts, or just to say hello!
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17th January 2024:
January Folksong for Wronged Women
This session explored the Irish folksong ‘In the Month of January’ (also known as ‘The Fatal Snowstorm’ and ‘The Cruel Father’), which tells the story of a young woman who is seduced and made pregnant, then abandoned by (presumably much wealthier) young man, and is tragically cast out by her family as a result – not an uncommon theme in traditional song!
Slides from the session
I’ll embed the slideshow from every Hunt here, with some extra clickable links.
Video
Full session, for anyone who’d like to catch up:
New performance video (currently unlisted; to be released online 24 Jan):
Scores
You’re welcome to use this score for your own performances, but please just credit me if you do so (and let me know, in case I can come and listen 🙂). I am always grateful for feedback on my scores!
In the Month of January – 2024
Further listening
Nice recordings of the song by currently active singers (click to open Spotify tracks):
- June Tabor
- The Unthanks
- Siobhan Miller
- Josienne Clarke
- Jon Boden (part of his ‘Folksong a Day’ blog; scroll down for a really interesting discussion in the comments): read the blog and hear the song here
Recordings by so-called ‘source’ singers:
From the Song Hunters…
You might remember Stella Richardson giving some nice listening suggestions at the end of the session. She pointed out some parallels with the song ‘Henry the Poacher’, which she and Tony had heard sung by The Young Tradition. There are some melodic similarities, as well as a few lyrical formulas that pop up in both songs, but this one is a tragedy from the perspective of a young man, transported for poaching. It’s a subject close to my heart, since my mum’s amazing family tree research revealed that this was the fate of lots of my ancestors! We haven’t found that particular recording online, but here’s another nice one (sourced by Tony):
And by another ‘source’ singer, Harry Cox, whose singing has been a big influence on me (I’ve made arrangements of his songs for my choir).
Any other folky parallels spring to mind? Floating verses? Similar stories? Please do share in the comments if so…