Singing Histories: London

EFDSS has recently worked in partnership with Sing London to produce Singing Histories: London - an illustrated song booklet which tells the story of London via its historic songs including street traders’ rhymes; ballads about the river, love, war, crime and punishment; rhymes and ditties; and songs of London pride. It features material, gathered from sound recordings and manuscripts in the VWML archives and elsewhere, and gives an unusual perspective on London life throughout the ages.

The Singing Histories: London song booklet was launched on Monday 8th June 2009, at the British Library, Conference Centre with a lively, participatory event. A Singing History of London workshop also took place at Fulham Library Monday 22nd June attended enthusiastically by around 100 people keen to sing the songs.

For more information about the Singing Histories project which is creating song books – primarily drawing from folk and traditional songs - in eight areas across England, visit the Sing London website.

Download a copy of the Singing Histories: London booklet and accompanying teachers' notes below, as well as mp3s of many of the songs featured. Please note: some of these are large files and may take longer to download if you are not using a high-speed broadband connection.