Bells of Rhymney – based upon a poem written by Idris Davies in support of the striking coal miners in Wales in 1926 and given musical form by Pete Seeger in the mid- 20th century. Each stanza features the bells of a different Welsh town, one being “Why so worried sisters why? Say the silver bells of Wye”, hence, the title of the CD… 　　 　　Leatherwing Bat – traditional English tune that expresses the hardships of love as experienced by various birds. I’ve added two verses of lyrics. 　　 　　Twa Corbies – traditional Scottish song thought to originate in the 17th century that has similarities to Three Ravens, but with a much more cynical outcome. 　　 　　Kincardine Lads – a traditional Scottish tune about illegal whisky-making in the area near Fife, Scotland. 　　 　　Muirsheen Durkin – an Irish tune from the mid-19th century (during the Gorta Mor) – featuring the typical Irish optimism – about travels to “Amerikay” to make a fortune digging for gold. 　　 　　Lord Franklin – an English lament about the famous explorer Lord John Franklin who left in May, 1845 and was lost with his crew attempting to find the Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic. 　　 　　Deep Blue Sea – a tune thought to originate around Suffolk, England and is thought to have some Caribbean influence. I’ve added a verse. 　　 　　My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose – Robert Burns – his well known love ballad 　　 　　Apple Tree Wassail – probably the oldest tune of the collection that celebrates the Yorkshire, England area practice of “wassailing” the apple trees and then going door-to-door to collect drinks of hard cider – typically around New Years. 　　 　　I use an acoustic guitar, resonator guitar, harmonicas, whistling and percussion instruments and have a little back-up from some recording magic that I call “The Cider Fiends”…