Horkstow Grange

by Kirsty Hannah

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about

Percy Grainger collected John Bowlin' (Horkstow Grange) from singer George Gouldthorpe at Brigg, Lincolnshire on 28th July 1906.

The manuscript says: "John Bowlin' was a foreman at a farm at Horkstow, and John Steeleye Span was waggoner under him. They fell out, and J.S. Span made these verses". However, no evidence has been found that these people existed, yet...

Of all the Lincolnshire singers, George Gouldthorpe is perhaps my favourite. From everything I have read about him, he sounds like he was a charming man, and luckily for us we can still hear his wonderful voice on Grainger's recordings.

A famous folk band got their name from this song, it shouldn't take you too long to work out who it is!

lyrics

In Horkstow Grange there lived an old miser
You all do know him as I've heard say
It's him and his man that was named John Bowlin'
They fell out one market day

Chorus (repeated after each verse)
Pity them what see him suffer
Pity poor old Steeleye Span
John Bowlin's deeds they will be remembered
Bowlin's deeds at Horkstow Grange

With a blackthorn stick old Steeleye struck him
Oftens had threatened him before
John Bowlin' turned round all in a passion
He knocked old Steeleye in t'floor

Old Steeleye Span he was felled by John Bowlin
It happened to be on a market day
Old Steeleye swore with all his vengeance
He would swear his life away

credits

released July 14, 2021
Vocals: Kirsty Hannah
Recorded live and unaccompanied by Stuart Baxter at The Warren in Hull
Photo taken on Horkstow Bridge by Stuart Richards

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about

Kirsty Hannah Grimsby, UK

EP 'On The Humber Banks' available now!

Kirsty Hannah is a singer from Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Singing traditional and contemporary folk songs from her native county and beyond.

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