Alfred Williams Page
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Page Added 4 January 1998
Williams, Alfred, "Folk-Songs of the Upper Thames District", Word-Lore, Vol 1 No 1 (1926), p12-16.
[p15 commencing at line 1]
In the area, which comprosed parts of Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire, there was a pronounced difference of peoples and characteristics. The Thames proved a true dividing line, as it had done for centuries, and although river-traffic had been responsible for much folk activity and inter-association, the distinction, in some respects, was maintained with remarkable obstinacy. Where there was no bridge across the stream the occupants of opposite banks looked upon each other as strangers, and even foreigners. Only at one place on the south side of the river did I find evidence of morris-teams; i.e. at Buckland, near Farringdon. On the north side, right along the base of the Cotswolds, through Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire also, most villages had their morris-dancers. I found remains of teams at Eynsham, Southleigh, Standlake, Bampton, Filkins, Eastleach, Aldsworth, Sherborne, Fairford, Ampney Crucis, Latton, Cirencester, Southrop, Siddington, and South Cerney. Step-dancing was common in Wiltshire and Berkshire, but not morris-dancing.
[concludes line 17]
Williams, Alfred, Folk-Songs of the Upper Thames, London: Duckworth, (1923)
[p 26 commencing at line 20]
A notable difference between the inhabitants of the two sections of the valley is to be observed. Those of Wiltshire and Berkshire are rather more boisterous and spontaneous, more hearty, hardy, strong, blunt and vigorous, and a little less musical; those of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire are gentler, easier, softer in manner, but weaker, more pliable, and less sturdy than the others. At the same time, generally speaking, they have more refinement, and tastes more artistic than their neighbours of the southern half, though they have not quite the same tenacity and independance of spirit. The difference of character is well illustrated by the diversity of pastimes in the two halves of the field: throughout Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire we had, as a general sport, morris-dancing; about Wiltshire and Berkshire the common amusements were back-swording and wrestling. While those were bedecking themselves with ribbons and tripping to the strains of the fiddle, these were breaking each other's heads with the single-sticks, or strenuously engaged in casting their opponents in the ring. One may have his own opinion and predeliction. The morris was exceedingly attractive, but there was something stout, manly and valiant about the back-sword play as to appeal to me with greater force than the music and the rhythm of the dancers. Both were Greek - the one Lydian, the other Spartan: privately I should prefer the vigorousness of the latter to the softness, if noy voluptuousness of the former.
[p27]
I have no evidence of morris-dancing in the villages south of the Thames. Step-dancing was common, but not morris-dancing. On the other hand, the morris was common in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. I find that there were teams of morris-dancers at Eynsham, Southleigh, Standlake, Bampton, Flkins, Eastleach, Aldsworth, Sherborne, Fairford, Ampney Crucis, Latton, Cirencester, and, I have been told, though I am not entirely certain, at Southrop, Siddington, and South Cerney. All have dissappeared now, except at Bampton, where as tradition says, the annual morris games have been held in unbroken succession for over three hundred years.
[ends line 11]
[p302]
Morris Fragment
Oh, once they said my lip was red,
But now is the scarlet pale,
And I myself a poor silly girl
To notice the flattering tale.
But he swore he'd never deceive me,
And so fondly I believed thee,
While the stars and the moon so sweetly
Shone over the willow tree.
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