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I first heard this covered by The Teacups and loved it - I just assumed it was by them! So cool to discover the original!

Brilliant !!---I remember Steve Evans trying to sing this --It was painful !!

I wish you would sing---"She's a lady of style, a lady of leisure etc---with the cry of Hudson now and again---as sung in the Marsden Inn years ago---It was a wonderful song and I always remember Jim (Irvine) lauging like a drain---Wonderful days !

This really touched me, bernie! A very powerful piece

Hi Bernie, Great song - brings me to reflect on music missed since I stepped away from running a folk club some 40 year ago. Don't know if you will remember St Andrews - compere Andy Cassidy. I was the other Andy who did the door, P.A., fly-posting and set up the room for the evening. The other thing I did was for myself - I recorded as many guests as I could. Recently, whilst still able, I decided I should share these recordings with those, old and new, who would appreciate them. Those uploaded to RUclips thus far can be found by looking for St Andrews Folk Club. I have digitised the audio for your night at St Andrews in August 1975 and am working on an upload. I hope my doing this will have your approval!! I have been unable to find an alternative method of contacting you. Please reply!! Looking forward now to listening on RUclips to those of your later works, which I have sadly missed. Regards Andy Watson

Hi Bernie! Just bought your CD „Sailing to the Moon“ and see that you learned The Ballad of Louis Collins from my old mate John (Jon?) Graham in Sunderland. John and I cut a demo LP together in 1969 and sent it to John Fahey, who was not impressed - but I still have a nice letter from him, with his comments. What a small world!

In Chorlton, Manchester, about four years ago, a good singer did this and was quite surprised when I joined in with the chorus. I was at the Durham Festival 76 or 77 and someone was singing it during a singaround. Bernie walked in at that moment. We all knew what was happening, and it was quite funny in its own way. There was a lot of respect. It was an excellent festival by the way.

What a sweet song about a good man.

I'm a good friend of Jon and Janice.....what a great song! You really described him perfectly!

Oh wow... This is onr of my most favourite songs ever. I saw you at Stainsby Folk festival many years ago.. And then as now this song reminds me of both my Grandfathers. Wonderful way of painting a scene with words and melody. Thank you. ❤️

Where I grew up there was a young man who was in this category, yes, he was simple, but such a lovely happy individual, he would cycle around waving at people and was always so happy. I'd always stop and have a little conversation with him if I could. Whenever I hear this song I think of him. I have it on a CD sung by a local relatively well-known local folk singer (in the North East) who sings it beautifully. I've just realised the CD is 23 years old ... OMG the time flies.

I love folk and I love goblins therefore I love this

thank you ...

A Geordie friend in Australia played a recording of it and taught it to me in 1981. I've performed it since then, but failed with the Geordie accent, with UK people saying it sounded Irish. Thanks for this recording so I can change the accent to yours! Great song. I couple it with "Mr. Bojangles", about another retiree in the U.S. South.

Hi Bernie. It’s hayley again on a different account. Still listening to this song 7 years later - for some reason I still connect to this song despite my taste in music changing significantly. I think it’s because it bring a me back to how I felt 7 years ago. A student enjoying the sun with no worries and now like pressures get to me from time to time. But thank you

Bernie, I could be your latest fan! Great composition, lyrics, voice - excellent! I’ve now heard almost all of your songs on YT, and you have bags of talent. You have surely recorded CDs? Can I buy them on line?

amazing song i know it thanks to vin garbutt

I heard this at a folk night in Cramlington. The lyrics are incredible and poignant of a time that seems to still exist in pockets of the North East.

Good song. God bless!

Absolutely BRILLIANT!!

What a talent Bernie. What a great song!

Love this!

Lovely!

It's simply a great song! Full stop!. First heard it years ago (Vin Garbutt). Just great!!!

I was looking at tributes to Vin Garbutt and remembered him recording this song. I always thought it was one of his!! It's been one of my favourite songs since the 70s. Now I'm in my 70s and, like your other corespondent, I sing this song when I do a bit of gardening. Thanks for publishing it.

It may not be your best, but it certainly cuts through me, bones and all, every single time I listen to it. Every time I work in my garden I hum, whistle, or sing this song. You captured so much with just a single song. Continue being humble as you are, but know that this is one of the single greatest songs ever written.

What a wonderful songwriter and performer! I've unfortunately never seen him live, not sure if he's still performing anywhere, but I do hope so!

How well I remember the "original' as performed in Darlington Arts Centre when Bernie was singer song writer in residence in the late 1980's. What times, what music, what memories... Really good to hear your distinctive voice again Bernie.

Hello there Bernie, in the back end of the last century I had a small video production company and was approached by some people who were trying the bring back to life the defunct Metheringham Fair Lincolnshire. I had heard your delightful song and it was still somewhere in the background of my mind. When researching Metheringham I spotted a on old chap wandering about who's gait perfectly fitted your song so his image was captured and used in the VHS tape along with me singing and two pals playing guitar. Many thanks.

Lovely stuff Bernie - great to hear this again after so many years :)

Hey Bernie. You taught me this song some years ago... I'm currently singing it to my little lad, Jack. I hope you're well.

who was the guy called Steve who always sang this song at the Station in South Shields and it was awful !!!--Glad to hear your version again---Brilliant !!!

I HAVE SEARCHED FOR THIS SONG FOR 30 YEARS...it has stayed with me all this time lovely........ thankyou x

fabulossa

I sing this song often after I fell in love with Bruce Baillie's video. I'm happy to know who wrote it and when, so I can note it in my song journal.

A beautiful song! Thank you :)

Very nice. Thank you Sir!

Lovely song, shame that us musicians can't see what you're doing on the guitar, it would be a nice one to learn and sing in the clubs.

I just discovered you and I have to say that your music is very impressive.

One of my favs - wanted to use this is a film i am producing but not quite right - some day, some way.

Hey Bernie, This is a great song and I was wondering if you could send me the chords as I'm wanting to sing and play it for my music course assessment? Thanks!

Awesome. I sent an email to you at the address you have listed! We love it.

This is lovely. It also sounds very much like a Welsh tune. And it's lovely to hear a properly played hurdy gurdy. If I can I'm going to see if I can get this one circulating at our noson gwerin nights

Heh heh! There I was bobbing my head along with the vid. Thorougly enjoyed this I was also hoping to find the Wind Witch up here. I heard it once when I was about 10 or so and I loved it.

Hi almurray. I remember the night I first sang 'Man Of The Earth' at Trimdon. Don Watson (who masterminded the club then) proclaimed 'another good song from Bernie!' Little did we know.....I'll never forget that Friday night.

Heard that in the Red Lion, Trimdon in the 70s....Nostalgic that !!

Great Song , sir !!! One to be carried for many years to come...

Excellent as always Bernie, thanks for subscribing!

Hayley. Thanks very much for your comments, they've made my day. Watch out for more songs. Tell all your friends. Cheers. Bernie Parry.

@iamasherman. Hi. If you want me to be the goblin I'll be the goblin. But I'm the goblin that wrote and composed the song. Cheers. Bernie Parry.