A long forgotten Wiltshire folk song was performed by Melksham’s Macapello Choir at the recent Bristol Choir Convention.
‘The Labouring Man’ was collected by the Reverend Geoffry Hill, and tells of the often unrecognised contributions of the working class to the war effort. This rousing song was written soon after the battle of Waterloo and is a parody of the jingoistic songs popular at the time.
On return from battle, soldiers found that war with France had left England so impoverished that some of those who had fought so doggedly, mostly humble farm labourers, could now barely afford a loaf of bread.
Choir director Guy Wilson said, “This is one of a collection of folk songs that I found at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre and which I have arranged for Macapello.
“It’s great that we are reviving lovely songs from this area. I looked for songs collected in Melksham, and finally found a fabulous old drinking song called ‘Jug of this’. I think Macapello’s going to love it!”
Macapello also sang ‘Hazy Shade of Winter’ by Simon and Garfunkel. The choir also thoroughly enjoyed the “big sing”, learning new songs with 500 other singers, and enjoying socialising with each other in local pubs and cafes. To find out more about joining Macapello please contact Guy at guy@ogdwilson.com, or visit the website www.macapello.co.uk
