Lost verse of popular anthem to be revealed after 75 years

14 hours ago

Paul Burnell,BBC News, Salford

Getty Images Ewan MacColl and Peggy SeegerGetty Images

A long-lost verse from one of folk music's most famous songs will be revealed by its creator's widow nearly 75 years after it was first sung.

Dirty Old Town was written by Salford-born folk legend Ewan MacColl for Landscape With Chimneys, his 1949 play about his hometown.

Since then, the song has taken on a life of its own, covered by everyone from rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Frank Black to country stars Steve Earle and Townes Van Zandt and even forming the basis of a sing-along. terrace on Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

< p class="sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe">But American singer Peggy Seeger, who married MacColl in 1977, will give it a new lease of life, when she will reveal a new verse in a one-off performance at We Invented in Salford. the weekend festival in June.

'Loved it'

She said it would be great for people who are familiar with the song to hear the verse, which MacColl abandoned in 1951, but admitted it "isn't that good." are good, but they just don't scan if you sing it," she said.

"It was written as part of the piece, but like many works of art, if it doesn't work, you drop it."

Getty Images Children playing in Salford in 1951Getty Images

Nevertheless, it will breathe new life into a song that has long been part of the public consciousness, thanks to two covers released by Irish bands almost two decades apart.

All set, much loved by folk enthusiasts, the song was revised by The Dubliners in 1968, before being reworked again by The Pogues in 1985.

< p class="sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe">However, Seeger said she was not impressed with their versions. .

"I don't know...

Lost verse of popular anthem to be revealed after 75 years

14 hours ago

Paul Burnell,BBC News, Salford

Getty Images Ewan MacColl and Peggy SeegerGetty Images

A long-lost verse from one of folk music's most famous songs will be revealed by its creator's widow nearly 75 years after it was first sung.

Dirty Old Town was written by Salford-born folk legend Ewan MacColl for Landscape With Chimneys, his 1949 play about his hometown.

Since then, the song has taken on a life of its own, covered by everyone from rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Frank Black to country stars Steve Earle and Townes Van Zandt and even forming the basis of a sing-along. terrace on Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

< p class="sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe">But American singer Peggy Seeger, who married MacColl in 1977, will give it a new lease of life, when she will reveal a new verse in a one-off performance at We Invented in Salford. the weekend festival in June.

'Loved it'

She said it would be great for people who are familiar with the song to hear the verse, which MacColl abandoned in 1951, but admitted it "isn't that good." are good, but they just don't scan if you sing it," she said.

"It was written as part of the piece, but like many works of art, if it doesn't work, you drop it."

Getty Images Children playing in Salford in 1951Getty Images

Nevertheless, it will breathe new life into a song that has long been part of the public consciousness, thanks to two covers released by Irish bands almost two decades apart.

All set, much loved by folk enthusiasts, the song was revised by The Dubliners in 1968, before being reworked again by The Pogues in 1985.

< p class="sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe">However, Seeger said she was not impressed with their versions. .

"I don't know...

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