Played on a Jeffries 38 button Anglo concertina.
This is the melody for a song by the same title, from the West of England (see below for words). It can be played equally well on a 20 button Anglo concertina, and I am demonstrating the cross-row fingering technique. The left hand "shadows" the right using mainly octave playing.
Note: I am keeping my fingers well away from the keys (buttons) when these fingers are not in use. For more complex tunes, using the outside (accidental) row of buttons, this technique ensures that fingers are not obstructed when moving across the keyboard.
---------------------
The Bell Ringing
One day in October neither drunken nor sober
O'er Broadbury Down I was making my way
When I heard of some ringing Some dancing and singing
I ought to remember that jubilee day
cho: 'Twas in Ashwater town, the bells they did sound
They rang for a hat and a belt laced with gold
But the men of North Lew rang so steady and true
That there never were better in Devon I hold
'Twas misunderstood for the men of Broadwood
Gave a blow on the tenor ne'er ought'a been
But the men of North Lew rang so faultlessly true
A difficult matter to beat them 'twould ha been
They of Broadwood being naughty then said to our party
We'll ring you a challenge again in a round
We'll give you a chance at St. Stephen's or Launceston
the prize to the winners a note of five pound
cho: 'Twas in Callington Town the bells next did sound etc.
When the match it came on At good Callington
The bells they rang out o'er the valleys below
Then old and young people the hale and the feeble
They came out to hear the sweet bell music flow
cho: 'Twas at Callington town the bells they did sound etc.
Those of Broadwood once more were obliged to give o'er
They were beaten completely and done in a round
For the men of North Lew pull so steady and true
That no better than they in the West can be found
cho: 'Twas in Ashwater town then in Callington Town They rang etc.
The song came from the collection "Songs of the West" by S.Baring Gould.
