Tom Hanson - When All Men Sing

from The People Have Songs - Volume 1 by Various Artists

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Forty-three songs make this 2 1/2 hour collection excellent value. Includes two 16-page lyrics booklets.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The People Have Songs - Volume 1 via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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about

Set around the rural life and seasons of the northern hemisphere, this song typifies for me the spirit of the folk singing session - the company of friends, the spontaneity, the joy of singing, and the sheer delight when all the harmonies fall into place. I adopt the bi-gender definition of ‘men’ in my interpretation of the title, and despite the fact that I sing it, it is not called ‘When Bald Men Sing’. - Tom Hanson

lyrics

When snows transform the hedgerow thorn
And frosting gilds the berry
Good men and true the fire logs hew
And in the inns make merry
Then, singing all as with one voice
It seems the very walls rejoice
And merriment about doth spring
When all men sing

Let every man so pitch his song
To help his neighbour sing along
To each and all contentment bring
When all men sing

When lambs are seen and trees spring green
Come forth in bloom the daisies
For winter’s end our thanks we’ll send
At Easter time sing praises
Then with a will, yea one accord
We’ll raise our voices to the Lord
And praise above our Heavenly King
When all men sing!

When in the fields his scythe he wields
Then hear his summer sound
As man and boy their lungs employ
The songs they echo ‘round
Resound from hill and roof and spire
Starting lowly building higher
So surely then his scythe will swing
When all men sing

When leaves they fall from elm tree tall
Then every back must bend
As young and old with courage bold
Their efforts they expend
Ensuring autumn’s gifts are stowed
‘Fore cold winter’s wind is blowed
Then comes an end to foraging
When all men sing

Here song’s in season every year
Some voices sweet while others strong
Gently round ascending
With harmonies a-blending
As unison accords the song
Uplifting beams of inn or hall
And shaking plaster from the walls
When all men sing!

credits

from The People Have Songs - Volume 1, released August 12, 2020
words by Keith Scowcroft, tune by Derek Gifford
sung by Tom Hanson

license

all rights reserved

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about

Miguel Heatwole image

Miguel Heatwole Sydney, Australia

Miguel’s a versatile singer, choral director & composer. His interests include folk & world music, political satire, the environment, trade unionism & the responsible enjoyment of alcohol. His songwriting embraces themes like peace & justice, the family cat, & visceral passionate attraction. His enthusiasm for recording community singing has let many people share the power of their songs. ... more

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