‘Songs by the way’: singing and being on public rights of way in England and Wales.

Dr Abbi Flint

Have you ever sung whilst out walking, riding, or wheeling along a footpath, bridleway, or byway? If so, you are joining a rich tradition of singing in landscapes. This short paper will share emerging findings from archival and interview research into the connections between singing, sociality, and being on paths and ways.

In the early twentieth century, holiday and walking groups (such as the Co-operative Holiday Fellowship and the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers) produced songbooks for their members to sing when spending time together outdoors. These include a mix of popular contemporary and traditional songs. Sharing examples of these songbooks I will ask, what kind of songs were sung, by whom and why? How might these singing practices connect with, or challenge, notions of what are considered appropriate ways of being in the countryside?

This research is part of the AHRC funded ‘In all our footsteps’ project, which explores the post-war history, development, experiences, and meanings of public rights of way (footpaths, bridleways and byways) in England and Wales.
Image credit: Sheffield City Archives, Ref 784.6 SST

More information here: Autumn Conference – Traditional Song Forum (tradsong.org)