Success To The Slaidburn Band
This poem, by Ellen Cowking, was written in 1904. The poem was presented to the Bandmaster, William Seed. It mentions many of the farms the Band would visit around Christmas playing carols. Most of these places were flooded during the construction of Stocks Reservoir, but maps of the period allow the route to be traced quite easily.
Please enjoy the poem.
Give me the liberty,
Permit me to say
What the Brass Band of Slaidburn
Achieved in a day.
The Slaidburn Band did take their way,
On this bright December day,-
A band of young men brave and smart,
For Hammerton they make a start.
'Tis true they play good time and tune,
That's why the time is passed so soon;
These bandsmen seem so well agreed,
Led by their Master, Mr. Seed.
Raingill, and Brookhouse Green they play,
Black house and Bridge House by the way,
At each they play some sweet carols,
Charmed is the valley with their songs.
At Cocklet House and Eggberry,
They hail them with delight;
Here they play "God Save The King"
And "Lead Kindly Light".
To the Mr. and Misses Cowking,
Of Grange, they next do come;
The old couple there have passed away,
But they play tunes for the young.
To the New Inn and Post Office,
'Tis known best by Stock's Fold,
They play hymns ancient and modern,
Songs, dances, new and old.
From here there has been changes,
'Twas here Charlie won his bride;
But now she's gone to live with him
At New Close, to reside.
They next play at the School house,
Mr. Ager to beguile;
A Happy Christmas and New Year
And greets them with a smile.
The next house it is Swinshaw,
The band too, pauses there;
Last year there was a bachelor
But now, a married pair.
And this new wedded couple
Would smile upon the band,
Entreat of them another tune,
The others are so grand.
They now pass by the village Church,
In the yard our loved ones lie,
May the Slaidburn band be a symbol
Of the music played on high.
A little further on the road,
The Vicarage it stands,
The clergyman he welcomes
And with them all shakes hands.
He delights to see the Slaidburn band
Come round from year to year,
But he hopes to see them all again
When the Summer draweth near.
The bandsmen pass o'er Hodder,
By the river make a halt,-
They prefer the clear, pure running stream
To hops and yeast and malt.
By now they would have fainted
But kind hearts all the day
bring out for them refreshments
To help them on their way.
For Mr. Duckworth now they play,
and the air is filled with chimes;
His works deserve a place among
Old England's choicest rhymes.
They now once more retrace their steps,
Leave Hodder just behind,
To Higher Croft House and Higher Birch Hill,
All places, soon they find.
Along the valley, across the vale,-
At last they reach to Mr. Swales',
Hasgill with them I must combine
Or I shall never finish this rhyme.
They now draw nearer to the hills,
The music there, the air it fills,-
At Newhouse an empty chair may stand
And he used to welcome the Slaidburn Band.
Next, to Colly Holme they must come,
The old man there is nearly done,
"I once was young my lads like you,
But now, my happy days are few.
Just play for me, Ah! once again
That ever sweet melodious strain,
My heart, it beats with new delight,
'While shepherds watched their flocks by night'."
The band to Kennibus must come,
The evening now is drawing on,
The sun has set behind the hills,
Sun, moon and stars, God's law fulfils.
For the keeper and his wife they play,
They thanks the band in a kindly way,
May Christmas ever bring you here,
though coming only once a year.
Unto Lamb hill they wend their way,
For Civil has listened all the day,
He too, had out the spying glass,
But here they are with us at last.
They soon are gathered round our door,
And on our ears sweet music pour,
"Come all ye faithful" there they play,
And greet us with their Christmas lays.
"A Merry Christmas and happy New Year,
We wish to all now gathered here";
The bandmaster looks upon his men
And they play for Civil "Auld Lang Syne".
Other tunes are played of lively mood,
No lost time whilst the tea is brewed,
Joe Hodgson says a poem this year,
'Tis of the lovely Lady Clare.
The hand of Providence too, was traced
In the trains that have no time to waste,
To the hand of providence let us bow,
In the time to come, gone by, and now.
They played for us "Lead Kindly Light"
May we ever look on the side that's bright,
And whenever doubts our souls entrap,
May we ever fight to drive them back.
They take their leave and wish us well,
Although on the mountain side we dwell,
To the band of Slaidburn collectively,
United may they ever be.
To Merry Bent Hill they take their way,
And for Mr. Johnson's family play;
Up to Fell Side, and down to th'Clough,
And play for Brennand, at Harker's too.
Again to Slaidburn they return,
Each heart would say 'no place like home',
To the band of Slaidburn collectively,
May they ever live in harmony.
Wherever this rhyme by you is read,
It shall be in honour of all Dale Head;
On the band of Slaidburn it takes its stand
And has been written at their command.
The poem carries the footnote:
ELLEN COWKING
Wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
January 1904
To Mr. William Seed, Slaidburn.