Here’s another more recent composition and Jon says, “From the pen of John Tams and one of only a few, truly great secular winter songs (of those that I have come across anyway.) It’s got a really lovely cord structure too, but works just as well unaccompanied.” I like this a lot and it fits neatly with those songs of rebirth and renewal and is more anchored to Midwinter and a hope for the rebirth and the future. Mainly Norfolk has further detail of this being written for the play and subsequent Albion Band album of Lark Rise To Candleford.
You can buy the December digital album now from all good download stores.
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How good is John Tams work!!!
This has interpreted his creation very well. After reading many posts on the subject I thought I would add my two-penneth on what constitutes a folk song. Just think in a hundred or so so years time; In pubs and Inns around the country how many Folk Singers will be singing songs written by Lennon & McCartney the song writers have been lost in time but the songs have lasted through time. Yesterday/Michelle/ to name but two out of hundreds as an example
I’m with you on that, Grandad! Really enjoying these seasonal songs, which are certainly chiming with the UK’s Big Chill weather conditions: keep ’em coming!
another Very good song/tune anyone know the guitar chords for Snow Falls.
Keep up the good work
Have to agree with all the previous comments. John Tams has written some absolutely cracking songs…and the other two didn’t do too badly either. This is a lovely version of a magnificent song.
Lovely Jon (and you are competing with ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ and ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ echoing from another side of my warehouse). We are all being seasonal then!!! “Feed The World” is an admirable statement; I’m not knocking that. But give me a John Tams song every time.
Now the question is, was this a premonition of Sheffield’s current weather, or was this a deliberate insertion due to the weather.
I think Jon could be in a bit of bother if it was precognition.
Nice song either way, JohnB
In 100 years’ time we’ll find out, Grandad7.
That’s a lovely tune & a beautiful rendition, even if (on some definitions) it isn’t a folk song yet!
Chilling……makes the hairs (limited in my case) standup on the back of my neck..and fits into “larkrise”, timelessly.
Having not long had John Tams’ powerful presence singing right in front of me at my local folk club, I am a bowled- over convert to both his performance and songs! Good choice, Jon, of an almost haunting melody and yes – spot-on, Muzza! – timeless seasonal folk song. I’m calling it that now, ‘cos I won’t be around in a 100 years’ time to find out!
Lovely song In the spirit and idiom of the trtradition.
Sounds even better the 2nd time around – and this year the 3rd of December falls on a saturday, so not got ‘Merry Xmas Everbody’ in the background. I envy Jane seeing John Tams AGAIN only last week; I’m hoping she’ll show me the signed CD she got at the gig with Barry Coope (Raise Yer Banners), when we meet up next weekend. Come on Jane – get posting soon.
Absolutely lovely! What else can one say that has not already been said above.
Well, I am going to have a go Diana. I remember this exquisite song from the original stage production of Larkrise, and the c.d. from this production is still one of my favourites. However, I have to say that I think this unaccompanied version by Jon is even better. It somehow embodies all the bleakness of this time of year, with the promise of Spring still a long way off. We sang it in the pubs a lot last year, when the weather outside made it even more appropriate. (Still plenty of time for those conditions to return this winter !)
Thank you Reinhard for your good wishes. If the first three songs are anything to go by, then you are quite right, December is going to be a splendid month on A.F.S.A.D.
Glad that you found new things to say John and I think you summed it up extremely well.
With reference to John Tam’s lyric on Reinhard’s wonderful Mainly Norfolk site:-
I note that Jon B’s version has major changes to the first verse…..lines 1/2/4..
I’m intrigued to know how this came about.
Hi Diane, Colin.s other half, I,m afraid I m the one who has to have a fix of AFSAD everynight although Bus song a day seemed quite popular with the other half!
I wasn.t too sure about todays song but it sort of grows on you .
Hello Linda, it does grow on you after listening to it a few times. I thought the Bus Song a Day was amusing. Perhaps your other half will convert to AFSAD now.
Love it… beautifully penned and beautifully performed. Both Jo(h)ns, you are stars!
absolutely love the chorus, the words are very evocative for this time of the year, “the snow falls and the wind calls” oh it sends shivers up my spine! beautiful performance of an outstanding song.
Unless I’m much mistaken this song appears in the National Theatre’s production of War Horse in the guise of ‘The Year Turns Round Again?’ The music for the show was arranged in part by Tams. Fantastic song!
A lovely song but really don’t want any snow falls.
Such a haunting song and becomes ‘traditional’ by the images created by ‘Larkrise’ and ‘Warhorse’……….Great version by Jon………(John Tam’s original words follow).
Cruel winter cuts through like the reaper
The old year lies withered and slain
Like Barleycorn who arose from the grave
The new year will rise up again
And the snow falls
And the wind calls
And the year turns round again
And I’ll wager a hat full of guineas
Against all of the songs you can sing
Some day you’ll love and the next day you’ll lose
And winter will turn into spring
And the snow falls
And the wind calls
And the year turns round again
There will come a time of great plenty
A time of good harvest and song
Til then put your trust in tomorrow my friend
For yesterday’s over and done
And the snow falls
And the wind calls
And the year turns round again
More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmania.com/snow_falls_lyrics_john_tams.html
All about John Tams: http://www.musictory.com/music/John+Tams
Thank you Muzza for the lyrics. They are lovely.
Hi
I am an actor and very basic guitar player.
I have been searching for the guitar chords for The Snow Falls for an audition piece (original Lark Rise NOT Warhorse). Can anybody help. Please. Such a great song.
Ryan
Ref comment above….wonder if Ryan got the chords or the part!
Lovely song…sooooo glad the site was resuscitated!.. even with that scary warning above which seems to have no effect on commenting.Thank you, thank you.
Great song.
Tune is to my ear not original. It is mostly based on a tune from the middle ages called Kingsfold usually in 4/4 John tams song is a slow 6/8 so the rhythms are different but the shape of the tune and chord structure are the same.
Many songs have been written ton this beautiful tune. Dives and Lazurys, I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, The Unquiet Grave, Star of the County Down are just a few
Correction.
John Tams version is an original tune. The Lady Maisery version is Kingsfold