Didn`t realise until I saw your Bon Iver clip that the Chieftains had made another cd -called Voice of Ages- with different guest artists appearing throughout. The Chocolate Drops collaboration is particularly good.Thanks, PoorOldPo.
By my reckoning, this is about their fifth album in this multiple-guest format, following on from :-
1991: Bells of Dublin
1995: Long Black Veil
2002: Wide World Over
2003: Old Plank Road
As you say, the 17-minute jam is excellent. It`s nice to see Paddy Moloney enjoying the musical company so much. There`s some really good fiddle playing, and even the harp, which I don`t usually care for, provided an agreeable interlude.
Here, at some other extreme, is another way to interpret traditional British folk music; strip away everything until you have nothing left except the power of the voice and the power of the lyrics. Although sometimes their approach is too austere to suit my mood, I just keep coming back to Young Tradition for their unique, raw power ....
Spoiler for Lyrics to The Servingman and the Husbandman:
Well met, well met, my friend, all on the highway riding,
Though freely together here we stand.
I pray do tell to me of what calling this shall be
And art thou not a servingman?
Oh no, my brother dear, what makes you to inquire
Of any such thing from my hand?
�� Indeed I will not feign but I will tell you plain:
I am a downright husbandman. ��
Well, if a husbandman you be, will go walk with me,
Though freely together here we stand.
For in a very short space I may take you to a place
Where you may he a servingman.
Now still I'm diligence, I give thee many thanks,
But naught do I require from thine hand.
�� But I pray now to me show wherefor that I may know
The pleasures of a servingman. ��
Well, isn't it a nice thing to ride out with a king,
With lords, dukes or any such men;
For to hear the horn to blow and see the hounds all in a row,
That's pleasures of a servingman.
But my pleasure's more than that, to see my oxen fat
And a good stock of hay by them stand;
�� With my plowing and my sowing, my reaping and my mowing,
That's pleasures of an husbandman. ��
But then we do wear the finest of grandure,
My coat is trim with fur all around;
Our shirts are white as milk and my stockings made of silk:
That's clothing for a servingman.
As to thy grandure give I the coat I wear
Some bushes to ramble among;
�� Give to me a good greatcoat and in my purse a grout,
That's clothing for an husbandman. ��
But then we do eat the most delicate fine meat
Of goose, and of capon, and of swan;
Our pastry's made so fine, we drink sugar in our wine,
That's diet for a servingman.
While you eat ducks and capons, give I my beans and bacon,
And a good drop of ale now and then;
�� For in a farmer's house you will find both brawn and souse,
That's a living for an husbandman. ��
Kind sir, I must confess although it causes me distress
To grant to you the uppermost hand;
Although it is most painful, it is altogether gainful
And I wish I'd been a husbandman.
So now, good people all, both be you great and small,
All know the king of our land;
�� And let us, whatsoever, to do our best endeavor,
For to maintain an husbandman. ��