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Recounting the true story of the Bills o' Jacks murders on the Saddleworth Moor in 1832.
The song was adapted from lyrics featured in the historical novel "Out of Human Sight" by Sophie Parkes.
lyrics
Come listen to this tale of great fame
Of a father and son so brutally slain
At an ale house on the Saddleworth moor
Where the sign of the moorcock hangs by the door
‘Twas on an evening cold and dark
When the stars shone bright and the curs did bark
Across the moors of bog and peat
A young maiden sought her kin to meet
With heart so light to their home she made way
No signs of slaughter did it betray
But when she arrived there quick and neat
She found the blood clotting at her feet
With courage bold through the hall she did go
Although the walls with blood did flow
And lying in a pool of gore
Was her uncle dear to arise no more
Then up the stairs this maiden fled
With skirt and petticoat scarlet red
But how she wept and how she cried
When she reached her grandfather’s own bedside
Oh grandfather come tell to me
Who murdered both my uncle and thee
One word he spoke with his last breath
Before he lay down to meet his death
Straight way unto the house there came
Friends and relations but all in vain
For on that day the two men died
And in one grave now they both shall bide
Now at every hearth in every home
The tale of Bills o' Jacks is well known
Of a father and son so brutally slain
By a stranger without a face or name
Such a broad range of roots music styles; trad English, modern Scottish, Americana.
The first track is fabulous, took me right back to teenage years listening to Fairport.
Hope it gets the recognition it deserves Derrick Turner
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Sweet harmonies & strummed melodies; the duo delve into decades-old folk, jazz, and country to find a timeless kind of love and connection. Bandcamp New & Notable May 23, 2018
Three of the most talented folk/roots/acoustic artists currently at the very top of their game. Spoiler alert; is Spanish Lady actually about Catherine of Aragon or have I been reading too much Hilary Mantel? ***** bass_campdelta