The Young Coppers are the seventh generation of a family of harmony singers from Rottingdean, Sussex. We are Bob Coppers six grandchildren, Mark, Andy and Sean Barratt and Ben, Lucy and Tom Copper.
The Copper Family traces its roots back to 1593 in the Sussex village of Rottingdean where an entry in the first extant Parish register records a marriage.
The Family singing tradition can be traced back to the 18th Century at least. The Coppers were always renowned as singers in the village and the Copper menfolk, largely comprising farm labourers, carters, ploughmen and shepherds were always in demand at sing-songs, pubs, harvest suppers and seasonal celebratory events around the farms and villages. The womenfolk sang too but social conditions dictated that their contributions did not stray as far as licensed premises and theirs was rather a domestic stage with Christmas being the central point for ‘party pieces’.
The land and specifically the Sussex Downland was always the backdrop to the family music and a deep love of the surrounding countryside is never far away from many songs in the repertoire. Songs in celebration of their everyday work and the pride taken in it. These men loved their songs and for many years, indeed up until the mid 20th century they were handed down through the oral tradition.
The Coppers have been renowned for their harmony singing, unusual in the English Tradition and clearly church-derived; this fact was noted when the Brothers Tom and James (Brasser) Copper were first ‘collected’ by Mrs Kate Lee in 1898. The two were made honorary founder members of the Folk Song Society in 1899 (later to become the English Folk Dance and Song Society) – the fact of which they found singularly uninteresting!
The lean years of the 1920’s and 30’s saw the singing torch being carried by Jim Copper (born 1882) and his brother John. Post-war the Coppers were discovered again by Francis Collinson and the BBC after Jim heard a version of one of the Family songs being performed on the BBC programme ‘Country Magazine’ - so began the Family’s part in the second folk song revival right through the 1950’s, 60’s and into the modern age. This time Jim’s son Bob Copper was the champion of the family tradition and recordings of him and his cousin Ron Copper proved to be a seminal influence on many English ‘revival’ folk singers. Bob‘s book about the family history and songs, ‘A Song for Every Season ‘ was published to great literary acclaim in 1971 and won the prestigious Robert Pitman literary award. Bob and Ron were joined by Bob’s son John and daughter Jill and performed as such until Ron’s untimely death in 1978. Without Ron’s resonant bass voice, John stepped into the roll and the songs were performed all over the UK and even taken several times to the USA. Sadly Bob passed away in March 2004 at the grand age of 89 years and left an unfillable gap, but determined that the tradition should never die, John, Jill and Jon (Jill’s husband) are now joined by up to six of Bob’s grandchildren, Mark, Andy, Sean, Ben, Lucy and Tom, thus making seven consecutive generations of Coppers to sing the family songs.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Thanks for the add, and long live the Copper family! I visited Rottingdean twice back in my student days (that would be the Middle Ages!). Beautiful part of England....
Hi, thanks for coming on Saturday great to see you again.The Imagined Village were brilliant afterwards, looking forward to the next time. Wheeler Street x x x x
ROCK BRIGHTON presents FEEDBACK XI
Friday 30th May at The Coalition
(Formerly The Beach), Kings Rd Arches
Doors open at 7:00pm - 10:30pm
Entry £3 NUS / £4 Others
A Night of Acoustic, Lounge, Chillout Soul
07:00 BAR OPENS www. myspace. com/brightonunplugged
07:30 MATT MITCHELL www. myspace. com/mattmitchellmusic 08:30 SEEKER www. myspace. com/seekeronline
09:30 KIINA www. myspace. com/kiinamusic
Finding You Has Enhanced My Musical World Like “WoW”. I Love This. I Love Being Able To Communicate With Stars From All Over The World. You Make Me Happy With Your Wonderful Music. With All The Troubles In The World, This Is Where You Can Truly Be Free. As Long As I Am On This Side Of The Grass, I’ll Be Your Friend.
We had a brilliant time the other night. Thanks for a great evening and looking forward to the festivals where we are working together so we can get even drunker.
