One of my favorite bands and songs! It doesn't get much better than this. Thank you for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. "My staff has murdered giants My pack the long knife carries To cut mince pies from children's thighs With which to feed the fairies"
For those wondering what this song is about. Its an old folk song about a certain madhouse in London. "Tom of Bedlam is one of the earliest songs about madness that was first introduced in 1618. Bedlam was a common name for St. Mary Bethlehem hospital in London (now called Bethlem Royal Hospital) which housed the insane. During the 18th century it was a popular diversion to visit the hospital to watch the antics of the poor inmates. Admission was one penny and it is said the hospital realized an income of four hundred pounds a year from visitors."
This ARRANGEMENT of "Bedlam Boys" may belong to OBD, but the melody & bulk of the lyrics were composed & researched by "The Halliard" (Nic Jones, Dave Moran & Nigel Paterson), in the 1960s (copyright Mollie Music). The text was first published in Thomas D'Urfey's "Pills to Purge Melancholy" (1720).
This is not the track from the Tall Tails album. That version has Ian F Benzie on vocals. This version is definitely not Ian. In fact Bedlam Boys isn't even on Tall Tails. It was on New Tricks
Bless this place O Christ we pray and open here a door that no one can shut and grant that soon there will be one Church and one fold and one Shepherd.
'Bedlam' was the olde English word for Bethlehem. The Bedlam Boys were the Crusaders. They all live bare and they live on the air and they want no drink or money.
Alternatively it might be referring to the famous (or infamous) Bethlehem Hospital in London. Founded in the 13th century by a religious order, it went on to become Britain's first 'lunatic asylum'. As you can imagine, conditions in Bedlam were quite appalling and inmates were often mistreated and abused. In fact the place became so notorious that the word 'bedlam' has been adopted into the language to describe any noisy, chaotic and confusing situation.
Kenny, you are completely correct. I am completely wrong with my stab in the dark. My friend set me straight about this last week. It does indeed refer to Bedlam Hospital and it's crazy patients. I should have known this because I've been in the 'Bedlam' hospital building many times as it is now the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth.
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Walking with a staff, and carrying a long knife, I often get this song stuck in my head. I have no giants to murder here, unfortunately.
One of my favorite bands and songs! It doesn't get much better than this. Thank you for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
"My staff has murdered giants
My pack the long knife carries
To cut mince pies from children's thighs
With which to feed the fairies"
We used to play this in a Marquette Band: Foreign Born Irish.
For those wondering what this song is about. Its an old folk song about a certain madhouse in London.
"Tom of Bedlam is one of the earliest songs about madness that was first introduced in 1618. Bedlam was a common name for St. Mary Bethlehem hospital in London (now called Bethlem Royal Hospital) which housed the insane. During the 18th century it was a popular diversion to visit the hospital to watch the antics of the poor inmates. Admission was one penny and it is said the hospital realized an income of four hundred pounds a year from visitors."
There's a complete history of the song here.
th-cam.com/video/B2c3nSXKb6E/w-d-xo.html
My childhood lullaby! the tempo is different but I love it.
very good song and performance.. thnx for sharing.
En sevdiğin versiyon bu mu?
@@ayagakalkmsay1484 Stronghold 3
Love this band and this song. Thanks!
This ARRANGEMENT of "Bedlam Boys" may belong to OBD, but the melody & bulk of the lyrics were composed & researched by "The Halliard" (Nic Jones, Dave Moran & Nigel Paterson), in the 1960s (copyright Mollie Music). The text was first published in Thomas D'Urfey's "Pills to Purge Melancholy" (1720).
No question this version "rocks" the senses!
Fantastic rendition, best one out there. This song is taken from the album "Four on the Floor" which is worth a listen!
Tarnished!
try rump.
Tin whistle makes the heart beat faster!
Been looking for this song, thanks for the upload. Very unique, never heard this tune with lyrics.
Heard a guy called Davey Slater play this many years back. It's stayed with me, although I can't find his version
check out Highland reign, they might have it. a more upbeat rock-ish version.
@@timothymccormick5208 Steeleye Span also did a version.
Mesmerizing!
The flute is heavily reminding me of Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull
Its tin whistle... fwiw.
Just happened upon this. Serendipity.
What a truly strange and wonderful tune, akin to the Cruel Sister.
great music great trad lyrics
DAMN this is jammin'
there is a version of this in Stronghold Legends
good.....................................
Best version.
great video and song
I like Spiral dance's version.
This is not the track from the Tall Tails album. That version has Ian F Benzie on vocals. This version is definitely not Ian. In fact Bedlam Boys isn't even on Tall Tails. It was on New Tricks
eirinn go brach!
EIREANN!
Very good, very cheerful.
Old blind dogs :D genial
Love me some OBD
Bless this place O Christ we pray and open here a door that no one can shut and grant that soon there will be one Church and one fold and one Shepherd.
The whistle tune has other name.. what it is??
You have to love us Irish.
Surgé Land They’re from aberdeen?
A history documentary of this song can be found here
th-cam.com/video/B2c3nSXKb6E/w-d-xo.html
First heard of it today and already love it! Its not a very common song so thanks for posting! What exactly is this song about anyway?
'Bedlam' was the olde English word for Bethlehem. The Bedlam Boys were the Crusaders. They all live bare and they live on the air and they want no drink or money.
Alternatively it might be referring to the famous (or infamous) Bethlehem Hospital in London. Founded in the 13th century by a religious order, it went on to become Britain's first 'lunatic asylum'. As you can imagine, conditions in Bedlam were quite appalling and inmates were often mistreated and abused. In fact the place became so notorious that the word 'bedlam' has been adopted into the language to describe any noisy, chaotic and confusing situation.
Kenny, you are completely correct. I am completely wrong with my stab in the dark. My friend set me straight about this last week. It does indeed refer to Bedlam Hospital and it's crazy patients. I should have known this because I've been in the 'Bedlam' hospital building many times as it is now the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth.
"Its now the Imperial War Museum". From one form of madness to recording (maybe glorifying??) a greater form of madness.
The flute sounds amazing, but I've never managed to find the name for it. Does anyone know what it's called?
It's a Low D penny whistle.
Yep, it’s a pennywhistle
@@darthfluffy216 It's a LOW WHISTLE
> > > Wonderful ! < <
Great song, good version, but listen to Maddy Prior and Steeleye Span do this more than 30 years ago!
Muddlin clothes for dirty toes *
It's 'Satan's kitchen, not 'Pluto's kitchen.'
Thanks for uploading this!