KEN KERSHAW'S COLLECTION

Ken has been performing in the Folk Clubs, Pubs, Clubs and Clubs around his hometown - Preston - since the 1960s. Ken has performed many genres of songs but has a particular love of traditional folk songs - many of which can be heard at GREGSON LANE FOLK CLUB where Ken is a resident and regular performer.

Use this player to listen  to and enjoy Kens Songs and if you want to know more about them see the notes below. Don't forget to come back and check as I add more.

A SAILOR COURTED A FARMERS DAUGHTER
This song originates from Northern Ireland.

BLUEY BRINK
A 'Sheep Shearing/Drinking' song from Australia - NB Don't try this at home.

ISLE NAN RON
This is a Scottish song about one of the many remote islands - Nan Ron is an island off the northern coast of Scotland near the Kyle of Tongue.

McCAFFERY
A song that has been sung around Preston for many years - often mis-pronounced McCafferty it tells a true story - The tune is an Irish air - The Croppy Boy.

NINE INCH NAILS
I know very little about this song other than that it's origins are in Music Hall and probably dates from the Victorian/Edwardian period.

THE BLACKBURN POACHERS
The text of this song appears as a 'Broadsheet' in The John Harkness Collection in The Harris Library in Preston. The tune is my own.

THE BOLD PRINCESS ROYAL
A typical sea-fairing song - probably from the late eighteenth/early nineteenth century.

THE BOSTON BURGLAR
The tale of a man who falls foul of the law.

THE CHESAPEAKE & SHANNON
The true story of a naval engagement between an American warship and a British frigate in the early 19th century.

THE COAST OF PERU
A whaling song which I originally heard sung by one of my 'Folk Heroes' - A L Lloyd.

THE CUTTY WREN
A song about the ancient custom of hunting the Wren on St Stephen's day (Boxing Day).

THE GOOD SHIP CALABAR
A 'comic' song from Northern Ireland. I have heard many different versions of this song.

THE ISLE OF MULL / JOY OF MY HEART
A song about the most famous island (Thanks to 'Ballamory') of The Inner Hebrides.

TWENTY EIGHTEEN
This version originates from Norfolk - Great chorus - Don't try it after a couple of drinks.

VAN DIEMANS LAND
A song about 'Transportees' (They've since got their own back and sent us 'Neighbours').

WILLIE LEE THE RAILWAY PORTER
Great chorus song for aFolk Club - Scottish Origin - Probably from the 1930s

Contact Ken 01772740525