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The Actor

from Role Call by Jan and Paul Ramsey

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about

The purchasing of songbirds of all types was particularly popular during the 19th Century. The birds were generally caught using a net. To encourage birds to the net there was a”call bird” retained in a fine wire cage. This bird, often a linnet or a goldfinch, was trained to sing loudly and cheerily so that its song attracted wild birds. In addition, stuffed birds would be placed around the cage and over the area on which the net was fixed. This was done to fool the wild birds into believing a flock was already assembling in this place. More than 50 birds were commonly caught in the net. This song is written from the perspective of the trapped “call bird”.

lyrics

I’m an actor, sat with my dead friends
My lines are tweets and trills
I’m trained to lure the birds
Please come and sit by me
And sing your pretty songs
Until the curtain falls upon you

And I sing so sweetly for you,
Both my friends and foe

As I sit and listen I hear
The pretty warbling lark
The linnets twitterring still
Piping the finch
The Warm tones of the thrush
The blackbird’s mellow sound

My master and the man of crime
Waits upon the ground
Pulls the wire to catch the prey
Many caught for market day
He makes cash and I get seed
All light goes from my cage

credits

from Role Call, released January 11, 2023
Ramsey

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about

Jan and Paul Ramsey image

Jan and Paul Ramsey Grimsby, UK

Jan and Paul first began singing together when they were students. Jan plays guitar and sings lead vocals, and Paul plays single reed harmonica and vocals. They are renowned for their close harmonies. Over the years they have performed extensively in the UK and overseas. They have held various residencies in UK folk clubs and are currently residents at Grimsby Folk Club. ... more

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