The words of the songs in the book are taken from Michael Blann's own handwritten notebook, which is kept in the Barclay Wills collection at Worthing Museum, and reproduced in their original spelling. For all but one of the songs Michael Blann gave no indication as to the tune, but in many cases appropriate 'traditional' tunes from other sources have now been found. The source is clearly indicated, including any newly composed tunes.
The biographical notes trace Michael Blann's life, from his birth in Upper Beeding, to his death at the age of ninety in Patching. Unfortunately, research has still failed to establish whether any children resulted from any of his three marriages. While much additional information has come to light since the second edition was published, the author would be interested to receive any further details about Michael Blann's life and songs.
The only song which I have not been able so far to track down in any other source is A Hundred Years Ago. It describes the succession of Masters of the Brookside Harrriers who hunted hares in the Rottingdean/Newhaven area of East Sussex until their amalgamation with the Brighton Harriers in the early 20th Century. Reference to the named masters can be found - Old Grover (probably Thomas Grover c. 1763), Billy Brown, Bob Bartlett, Squire Carr (Harrison Carr c. 1820 -1834), Will Pierpoint (kennel huntsman with Carr). The last master, ("who kept them to the present day") was probably Steyning Beard, of the Lewes Brewing family. It suggests the song was written around the 1860- 1870 but apart from Michael Blann there appears to be no trace of it. Bob Copper who was familiar with the Brookside Harriers did not know of the song. Any further information would be most welcome!
THE SONGS THE TUNES
| Spencer The Rover | Adapted from Copper Family version | |
| Live And Let Live | Variation of Monk's March morris tune | |
| 100 Years Ago | Original composition | |
| The Duke of Grafton's Hounds | Adapted from 'The Silly Doe' (Baring-Gould collection) | |
| I Likes A Drop Of Good Beer | Original composition | |
| The Old Farmer | Two tunes: 1. W.A.Barrett collection 2. Based on Welsh Folk Dance Tune | |
| The Trees Are All Bare | Adapted from Copper Family version | |
| The Burial Of Sir John Moore | Two tunes: 1.J.Barnett (19th C) 2. Based on Idbury Hill morris tune | |
| The Innocent Hare | Adapted from Copper Family version | |
| Our Jack's Come Home | Traditional, from own family | |
| Tom Bowling | C. Dibden (1745 - 1814) | |
| Humphrey Hough | 3 tunes: 1. E. Upton/D. Robertson 2. Gordon Hall 3. Baring -Gould collection | |
| Two Orphan Boys | Two tunes: 1. From 'Heart Songs Dear To American People'. 2. Original composition | |
| We Britons To Arms | Original composition | |
| Blann's Beer | Two tunes: 1. Yankee Doodle 2. Adapted from Gilbert & Sullivan | |
| The Farmer's Boy | Traditional, from own family | |
| Riley Song | From Folk Song Journal, Vol. 8 | |
| The Plough Boy's Song | From Kidson's 'Traditional Tunes' | |
| Dame Derden | Oral tradition/similar to Copper Family version | |
| Christians Awake | Adapted from Broadwood Collection | |
| The Spring Comes In | Oral tradition/similar to Copper Family version | |
| The Moon Is Up | Original composition | |
| Words of 'missing songs' from other sources | ||
| Sheep Shearing Song | Adapted from Copper Family version | |
| The Cottage By The Sea | From Gordon Hall | |
| Punch Ladle Song | Text only | |
| Cupid The Pretty Ploughboy | Text only | |
| Think Of Your Head in The Morn | Text only | |
| Green Garters | Text only | |
| Those Evening Bells | Text only | |
| Free And Easy | Adapted from English Dance & Song magazine | |
THE CD RECORDING
17 tracks featuring the author's arrangement of songs and tunes from 'Shepherd of the Downs':
Songs: I Likes A Drop Of Good Beer / A Hundred Years Ago / Live And Let Live / Duke Of Grafton's Hounds / Burial Of Sir John Moore / The Old Farmer / We Britons To Arms / Spencer The Rover / Riley Song / Our Jack's Come Home / Innocent Hare / Two Orphan Boys / Blann's Beer / Tom Bowling / Humphrey Hough / The Farmer's Boy
Tunes: The Spring Comes In / Free And Easy / The Trees Are All Bare / Sheep Shearing / The Moon Is Up / Christians Awake
