"The first ten recordings on this CD were released in 1955 and to give the set its original full title “Folk Song Today: Folk Songs and Ballads of England and Scotland”. They were collected by Peter Kennedy who was broadcasting the radio programme ‘As I Roved Out’ at this time. Notably, and with splendid foresight, these historically important and authentic field recordings not only marked the first appearance on disc of national treasure Shirley Collins and Rory and Alex McEwen, who were on the cusp of public prominence. They also captured the living, but in several cases, the ageing, true representatives of the folk song tradition, songs that had been lovingly passed down the generations. These are precious sounds of ordinary folk singing, regional accents fully intact, of publicans, barge skippers, travellers and retired farm labours.

Tony Wales was a highly respected Sussex historian, prolific author, folklorist and folk musician. Born in Horsham, he was a lifelong Sussex resident and this 1957 recording was the first recording of Sussex folk songs ever made. He also worked closely with the English Folk Song and Dance Society and founded the Horsham Folk Club. He died in 2007, aged 82.
This is a collection of songs that either originate from Sussex or have historically been popularly performed in that county. In the case of the latter their origins are much, much more widespread but they are often performed here in their Sussex variants.

The bonus tracks are taken from 1958’s “Folk Song Jubilee” LP which confidently showcased further Rory and Alex McEwen’s (along with Isla Cameron), skills of interpretation."

Field recordings collected by Peter Kennedy+ Recorded under the auspices of The English Folk Dance and Song Society

1. Bonnie George Campbell - Rory and Alex McEwen with guitars
(Professional duo in Berwick+)
2. The Haughs of Cromdale - John Macdonald with melodeon
(Gamekeeper in Aberdeen+)
3. My Son David - Jean Robertson, unaccompanied
(Traveller in Aberdeen+)
4. The Barnyards O' Delgaty (Bothy Ballad)
- Davy Stewart with accordion (Traveller and street singer in Angus+)
5. Will you go, Lassie, Go? - Frank McPeake and son with Irish bagpipes
(Father and son in Belfast+)
6. Dance to th' Daddie - Fred Lawson with guitar
(Performer in Durham+)
7. High Barbaree - Bob Roberts with melodeon
(Skipper of the Sailing Barge "Cambria" in Suffolk+)
8. Dabbling in the Dew - Shirley Collins with auto-harp
(Professional singer from Hastings, recorded in London+)
9. The Foggy Dew - Harry Cox, unaccompanied
(Retired farm labour in Norfolk+)
10. The Christmas Presents (The Twelve Days of Christmas)
- Bob and Ron Copper (Two cousin publicans from Sussex+)

Sussex Folk Songs and Ballads sung by Tony Wales with Guitar

11. Seventeen Come Sunday (Cecil Sharp)
12. Sing Ivy (abridged from "The Elfin Knight" Child No. 2)
(Francis James Child)
13. Our Goodman (Child No. 274) (Francis James Child)
14. Piri-Iri-Igdum (based on the "The Riddle Song")
15. On Christmas Night (Sussex Carol)
16. I've Been to France (John Broadwood / Lucy E. Broadwood - from Sussex songs published in 1890)
17. The Banks of Sweet Dundee
18. To be a Farmer's Boy (Robert Bell - Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England, London, 1857)
19. Sarie
20. Horsham Boys (text from "A Parliamentary History of Horsham, 1295 - 1885" by William Albery, Horsham, 1927)
21. Buttercup Joe
22. The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington (Child No. 105)
(Francis James Child)
23. Henry Martin (Child No. 250) (Cecil Sharp)
24. Bryan O'Lynn
25. Four Children's Singing Games
a. The Farmer's in his Den b. Nuts in May
c. Poor Mary Sits A-Weeping d. Oranges & Lemons
26. The Woodcutter (John Broadwood / Lucy E. Broadwood
- from Sussex songs published in 1890)
27. The Ploughboy (John Broadwood / Lucy E. Broadwood
- from Sussex songs published in 1890)
28. The Green Mossy Banks of the Lea (William Henry Gill
- from Songs of the British Folk)
29. Richard of Taunton Dean

BONUS TRACKS (taken from 1958's "Folk Song Jubilee" LP)
30. Johnny Cope (Ord. Bothy Songs) - Rory McEwen
31. To The Beggin' I Will Go
- Rory and Alex McEwen with Isla Cameron
32. The Craw Killed the Pussie O - Rory McEwen