The Ghost of Mansfield Morris

"The Ghost of Mansfield Morris" meet in different pubs around the Mansfield area every Wednesday night from around 8:30 pm.

The Mansfield Morris Men used to dance outside pubs in traditional costume every Wednesday, which was followed by much drinking and a sing-song in the pub. Unfortunately the dance team became depleted through age of the older members and the inability to find younger people interested in keeping the tradition going, so the dancing had to stop, but the drinking and singing carried on, hence the name "Ghost of the Morris".

Two of the originals are Jack on melodeon and "Jacko" on banjo, gradually more musicians and singers joined the "Ghost", now there are often over twenty of them who take it in turns to perform acoustically with guitars, mandolins, banjos, melodeons etc. The songs are a mixture of Folk, Country, Irish, Ballads, Monologues and Singalong.

In 2005 the Cultural Officer from Mansfield's Twin Town of Heiligenhaus in Germany was impressed by the "Ghost" and he invited them to perform, so seventeen of the "Ghost" went over to Germany and were given a brilliant reception.

The Ghost Danced

In 2006 someone came up with the idea just for a laugh of dressing up as Ghosts with white sheets and learning a dance, so eight of the musicians were shown how to do a couple of traditional dances by an original Morris Man and they danced admirably at "The Mansfield Folk Festival" dressed as ghosts. Sadly it was just a one-off.

Resident Ghosts

Main stays of "The Ghost" are Jack and Jacko who never miss a session. Jack is one of the original "Mansfield Morris" Men", and he plays the melodeon; his fellow musician Jacko plays banjo and does the singing.

Ray and Pam are two more regulars who both sing and play instruments. Kathy performs her Irish ballads and Murf sings sea songs. Mitch is a regular and entertains with very humorous monologues and comedy songs, many of which he has written himself. Ron Carlin plays guitar and sings a good variety including some Johny Cash numbers.

Dave Clay plays guitar and sings, Oak Tree Mick is also a regular and plays some good ballads. Terry Gildert is a favourite and treats the audience to some comedy accompanied by guitar. Dave Lambert who organises the venues gives some good renditions and also plays bodhran.

Pamela likes to accompany people on banjo and guitar especially when Bob the Snob plays guitar and sings, with Karen on bodhran and also Tax Andy playing guitar and singing. A girl named Liz accompanies herself singing and playing guitar.

Besides those mentioned there are many others who attend "The Ghost" and play their music. The venues usually provide "The Ghost" with sandwiches, chips etc. all adding to a very enjoyable evening. Long live "The Ghost".

"Ghost of the Morris"

(tune: 'Cider Drinker' in D)

Chorus

We are the Ghost of the Morris
We come here to sing and to play,
We are the Ghost of the Morris
You can see us every Wednesday.
We sing and we play, we sing and we play.

The Ghost are all singing and drinking
There's twenty or thirty or more.
The Ghost are all singing and drinking
That's what the Ghost are here for.
We sing and we play, we sing and we play.

We're singing a song of the Morris
We're singing with all of the rest.
We're singing a song of the Morris
Cos' that's when we're singing the best.
We sing and we play, we sing and we play.

Good health to all of the company,
We'll raise our glasses and toast.
Good health to all of the company,
Good health from all of the Ghost.
We sing and we play, we sing and we play.

Long live the Ghost of the Morris
So we can keep singing for you.
Long live the Ghost of the Morris
Cos' that's the thing that we do.
We sing and we play, we sing and we play.