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He was only Eight Years Old

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Performer: Reeder, Lucy
Place Collected: Stroud
Date collected: 1996 (24 May)
Collector: Davies, Gwilym

A good example of a ballad written contemporary to the events. Mrs Reeder’s version, learnt by her in 1911 when she was only 11 years old, is unique in oral history. The event to which it refers cannot be traced.  The tune is based on “It was only a beautiful picture in a beautiful golden frame.”

Notes by Gwilym Davies 29 June 2015