Forbes Stuart

I was given this book for my 12th birthday and was, at trhe time, not very impressed. Looking back, think my mother gave it to me for the same reason I value it today: an anthology of the folk songs, containing the music, the back ground and the variations, is always a good book to have around.

Back then I used to play a few musical instruments by ear and although I'd never studied music formally I could sort of read it and certainly occupied myself by picking out various simple melodies on show more the zylophone or squash box, even the piano on the few occassions I had access.

Folk songs might seem fit only for children but I have appreciated this book more and more as I grew older: I might no longer be able to play 'The wearing of the Green' or 'When Johnny Comes marching Home' but I'm thankful that I still have the music and the lyrics. show less