A fine traditional singer from a bygone world. Bob Roberts was Dorset-born but grew up in Suffolk. He spent most of his working life on sailing barges carrying cargo round Britain or across the Channel to Europe. His repertoire was a treasury of bargemen’s songs, which he sang with a mellow grace to his own melodeon accompaniment. Roberts was active on the folk scene during the 1950s and 60s, but was seldom heard before these recordings made in 1977 returned him to clubs and festivals.
1 The Candlelight Fisherman
2 The Grey Hawk
3 Stormy Weather Boys
4 Waltz with Me
5 Haul Away Joe
6 The Oily Rig (recitation)
7 The Little Ball of Yarn
8 The Single Sailor
9 Young Collins
10 The Fish and Chip Ship
11 While Gamekeepers Lie Sleeping
12 Windy Old Weather
13 The London Waterman
14 Bob Robert’s Waltz
15 Whiskey Johnny
16 The Foggy Dew
17 Bell Bottom Trousers
18 The Black Shawl
19 Little Boy Billee
20 The Collier Brig
21 Leave Her, Johnny
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