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If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)
Artist: Harry Cox
Author: traditional
Label: Topic
Year: 1955
Recorded by Ewan MacColl. The mentioning of Belfast in the first verse suggests Irish descent, the mentioning of Van Diemen's Land in the last one explains the many Aussie covers. Broadside versions circulate since the 1940s, when the action took place in Barking, Essex. Farmer Harry Cox picked this famous song from his native ground.
Covers:
Dubliners [hit UK]
Irish Rovers [Canadians]
Rum [as De Vuurrooien Band]
Older American recordings as The Girl In The Blue Velvet Band but with a different melody: Carlisle Brothers ('34) on Melotone, Tex Fletcher & Joe Rogers ('37), Bill Carlisle ('46) on King, Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys ('49).
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)