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Divers and Lazarus

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Alternative title: Dives and Lazarus

Performer: Bishop, Emily
Place Collected: Bromsberrow Heath
Date collected: 1954, June
Collector: Wortley, Russell
Roud Number: 477
Other Numbers: Child 56

This song is a re-telling of the rich man, poor man parable in Luke 16:19-31. The folklorist James Child deemed it worthy enough to be included in his collection of ballads. Versions go back over 200 years. It was particularly popular, like many other carols and religious songs, in the West Midlands, particularly Herefordshire and Shropshire. Miss Bishop’s splendid version shares a tune with “Star of the County Down”.

Notes by Gwilym Davies 23 May 2015