Tag Archives: Robin Grey

(2015) The Ballad of Hawkwood by Robin Grey

C F
There is a fine gent christened Ru Litherland
C F
Mulch, sow and then reap
C C
There is a fine gent christened Ru Litherland
C C
And he has green fingers on both of his hands
C Em7 C F C G C
I’ll be good to the land and the land will be good to me

With a coop of comrades he dreamed a bold dream
To grow food for his kinsfolk as nature decreed.

By the edge the forest they spied a fine patch
And to grow fruit and veg there a plan they did hatch.

But the men of the hour dreamed of buildings not plants
A development would far more there profits enhance.

Our ancestors fought for this fair forest land
So now against the law was the businessman’s plan.

After twelve months had past did the council relent
Now we’ll work the earth as our ancestors meant.

Now if you pass by here you might hear a tune:
Mulch, sow and then reap
Now if you pass by here you might hear a tune,
The melody is old and the words will be soon.
I’ll be good to the land and the land will be good to me

A cheeky selfie with Peter Linebaugh

We had the privilege of sharing a stage today with a hero of ours, the historian Peter Linebaugh… Here is a cheeky selfie of us in front of the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest.

Peter was a student of E.P. Thompson’s in the 70s and has written some wonderful books including ‘The Many Headed Hydra’ which I hope many of your will have read or know about…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Linebaugh

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2001/jan/27/historybooks

Marking the 800th anniversary of the 1217 Charter Of The Forest in Sherwood Forest with a sing-a-long

Robin and Roo will be leading a sing-a-long this Sunday by The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest to mark the 800th anniversary of the 1217 Charter Of The Forest and linking this to land rights, fracking and universal basic income in our present day.

https://www.facebook.com/events/530204757394442/

What’s the Charter Of The Forest, I hear you say… see hear for more information… https://thenewputneydebates.com/

Summer Youth Residency

Toby and Georgie sing a duet

Way back in warm, sunny August, seven young people gathered somewhere in the depths of the East of England; the outskirts of a town called Diss (plenty of puns were made) in a lovely cottage, previously home to the writer Roger Deakin.

Five of us were from the youth organisation Woodcraft Folk, and we were glad to be joined by Molly and Kathleen who we hadn’t met before but quickly made friends with.

We were joined by Robin and Rachel and spent the week reading, singing and learning all about the history of our land and the struggles that have been fought for it. We listened to podcasts, taught each other songs and shared food together between practicing sections of the show ready for a performance.

At the end of the week, we performed a full show of Three Acres and a Cow as a group, complete with poetry, sketches and, of course, singing.

Since the residency, Anna has successfully applied for funding to develop a Quaker version of the show alongside Robin, and I have been involved in various performances of the show in my new role as youth apprentice.

Here is a selection of photos from the week:

– Naomi, apprentice of Three Acres And A Cow

Photos from The Rose And Crown in Walthamstow on 5th April 2013

Photos from Hogacre performance in Oxford on 14th September 2013