The Lancashire Evening Post has just published a lovely review of Regency Cheshire! I am thrilled with it!
I thought I had woken up in a strange parallel universe this morning! I often listen to Planet Rock first thing to try and wake up for the school run. But today, instead of the usual Black Sabbath or Alice Cooper, someone was singing a traditional soul-cakers' song. It seems Sting has released it as a single. All Hallows' Eve was the time of year when Cheshire folk, boys and girls would knock on people's doors and sing a song in the hope of receiving treats or money. Cheshire also had a special soul-caking play, and there were different versions of the soulers' song (this is from John Brand's Popular Antiquities)
Soul Day, Soul Day, Saul!
One for Peter, one for Paul,
Three for him who made us all.
An apple or pear, a plum or a cherry,
Any good thing that will make us all merry…
You can find out more about traditional Cheshire customs in Regency Cheshire.
>But it is her story of the people – lords and ladies, pickpockets, mill workers, murderers, reformists, revolutionaries and highwaymen – which really captures the spirit of the times and the struggle for a new social order.
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful, Sue. Congratulations.
And thanks for the Sting link. I have got to get the album for the Xmas season.
Thank you for your kind comments, Jane!
ReplyDelete