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about

Flower Girl (Ramsey)
A mid-Victorian London newspaper carried a series of articles about children working in the City and the provinces, including a Lincolnshire flower girl from Sleaford. Despite her bleak life she retained a positive outlook and was grateful that, as she perceived it, others were far worse off.

lyrics

Mother tried to help us, she sent us all to school
I never knews me father, tho’ I knows he was a fool
But mother went and died on us, left us three alone
We had to seek a living, and find ourselves a home

Buy a bunch, kind lady, please buy me flowers gent
I’ll get meself clean clothes and I’ll even pay the rent
I dream of getting sixpence, of, being way back home
Buy a bunch, kind lady for the flowers are all I own

Now we’re all much older, fourteen, twelve and ten
Things are so much easier, selling flowers by the Slea
We may all share a bed, in a room so damp and bare
But on the streets we’re happy, and why would I despair

Me clothes are torn, me shoes gone, me feet are all but black
Me bonnet grimed and greasy, me hair is like a stack
But we ain’t never asked for parish help nor other charity
We don’t miss mass on Sunday, and we give the poor money

It’s the sweetness sells the flowers, the colours and the smells
I’d maybe like some clothes, from all the blooms I sells
But I’d rather have me freedom, not be in some factory
I’ll always love me flowers for it’s them that sets me free

credits

from Lincs to Land and Sea, released May 22, 2022
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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