The Moors Musician
- Details
- Written August 2023
Waking worms and ducks tucked in for the night,
Rousing shepherds, watching flocks on a silent night,
Who wake to hear angels singing Gloria in Excelsis
Until they leave us on the moor, alone with the soloist,
Whose brass-band tunes have enchanted so many
For just on ten decades with lines and spaces,
Melodies and harmonies that go up and down
Through winter and summer, in rain or snow
From Yorkshire to London and around the world.
So we join in singing Happy Birthday to George
And wish him very many happy returns
To Ilkley Moor, or anywhere else he chooses
To make the music he enjoys. We'll be there!
For George Whittingham's 97th Birthday Concert.
26 August 2023.
Inspired by the unofficial Yorkshire anthem On Ilkley Moor with the tune Cranbrook, originally used to accompany the carol While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night.
A Translation of On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at
Where have you been since I last saw you, last saw you?
On Ilkley Moor without a hat
Where have you been since I last saw you, last saw you?
Where have you been since I last saw you?
On Ilkley Moor without a hat
On Ilkley Moor without a hat
On Ilkley Moor without a hat
You have been courting Mary Jane
You are bound to catch your death of cold
Then we will have to bury you
Then the worms will come and eat you up
Then the ducks will come and eat up the worms
Then we will go and eat up the ducks
Then we will have eaten you
That's where we get our own back.