A CURIOUS MIX OF BRITISH FOLK MUSIC AND AMERICAN POLITICS
Two prominent Canadian authors share their perspective on today’s strained political relationship between the US and its northern neighbor. They reflect on their country’s geography, diversity, strength, and identity, and consider the history and attitudes that make Canada distinct from the US. And of course, they talk a bit of hockey.
Guests:
St George’s Day in England remembers St George, England’s patron saint. The anniversary of his death, which is on April 23, is seen as England’s national day. According to legend, he was a soldier in the Roman army who killed a dragon and saved a princess.
St George’s Day used to be a national holiday in England. It is now an observance that is celebrated with parades, dancing and other activities. Flags with the image of St George’s cross are flown on some buildings, especially pubs, and a few people wear a red rose on their lapel. Church services on the Sunday closest to April 23 often include the hymn ‘Jerusalem’, written by the poet William Blake. The words describe a supposed visit to Glastonbury, England, by Jesus Christ during his youth.
April 23 is not a public holiday. Schools, stores, post offices, businesses and other organizations are open as usual. Public transport services run to their usual timetables.
St George was born sometime around the year 280 in what is now Turkey. He was a soldier and rose up through the ranks of the Roman army, eventually becoming a personal guard to the Emperor Diocletian. He was executed for being a Christian on April 23, 303, and is buried in the town of Lod in Israel.
St George is most widely known for slaying a dragon. According to legend, the only well in the town of Silene was guarded by a dragon. In order to get water, the inhabitants of the town had to offer a human sacrifice every day to the dragon. The person to be sacrificed was chosen by lots. On the day that St George was visiting, a princess had been selected to be sacrificed. However, he killed the dragon, saved the princess and gave the people of Silene access to water. In gratitude, they converted to Christianity. It is thought that the dragon represents a certain type of pagan belief that included the sacrifice of human beings.
St George’s Day was once celebrated as widely as Christmas. But the celebrations waned by the end of the 18th century after England had united with Scotland on May 1, 1707. In recent times, there has been a push, involving campaigns and petitions, to make the day a public holiday in England.
St George is the patron saint of a number of other places, such as Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Portugal and Russia. He is also remembered in some regional holidays, such as in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada and among the Gorani people who live in a mountainous area in the Balkans and were converted to Islam many centuries ago, but still observe St George’s Day. Around the world, a number of days are devoted to St George, including April 23 and dates in November and December of the Gregorian calendar.
The most widely recognized symbol of St George’s Day is St George’s cross. This is a red cross on a white background, which is often displayed as a flag. It is used as England’s national flag, forming part of the Union Flag, the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Saint George’s cross was originally the flag of the maritime Republic of Genoa. Around 1190, the King of England started paying the Doge of Genoa to protect ships originally from the city of London and the rest of England that sailed in the Mediterranean.
During the crusades in the 1100s and 1200s, English knights used St George’s cross as part of their uniform. It has been the official flag of England for centuries, but the Union Flag, a combination of St George’s cross, St Andrew’s cross and St Patrick’s cross, is the national flag of the United Kingdom. Now Saint George’s cross is used as a national symbol by fans of the English national football, rugby and cricket teams. At international matches, flags and scarves bearing this cross are worn and people paint it on their faces. It is also has a prominent place on the arms of the City of London and the flags of the city of Barcelona, Spain, and the country of Georgia.
Source: Time And Date
Festival organisers said the event would return in 2026 but people in the city have described this year’s cancellation as “incredibly disappointing”
Music lovers have warned the cancellation of one of the country’s biggest folk festivals this year will be a big blow to the local economy.
The Cambridge Folk Festival has attracted stars like Robert Plant, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Van Morrison and Nick Cave over its 60 year history.
But organisers have announced it will not go ahead this year at Cherry Hinton Hall, though they hope it will return in 2026.
Music promoter Simon Baker said: “It will obviously have an effect on restaurants and hotels and all of those things that rely on the festival for that weekend in July. I couldn’t put a figure on it but it’s a big blow.”
The local music community are also concerned about the effect on musicians starting out on their careers.
Though most people will be familiar with Cockney rhyming slang, they perhaps won’t know that Scotland also has its own version.
Keeping up with Scots words, the accent and even regional dialects can be hard enough, but throw in Scotland’s love of word play and it can leave many without a Scooby (as in Doo – clue, get it?).
From asking someone if they are Corned Beef to going for a Chic Murray – here are some of our favourite Scottish rhyming slang phrases.
Though many have started using another famous Scottish Murray for this one (Andy), it will always be the original and best for us.
Example:Â “Fancy a wee Chic Murray for dinner tonight? I canny be bothered cooking.”
This one sees corned beef rhymed with deif (the way Scots would pronounce deaf), and is usually aimed at someone who isn’t listening.
Example:Â “Listen pal, are you corned beef? I told you to beat it.”
A good one for someone who is known to be on the light-fingered side.
Example:Â “Aye it’s a cracker eh? Wee Davey hauf inched it for us.”
If someone asks if you fancy a Mick Jagger, it’s usually an invite for a pint and not referring to the great man himself.
Example:Â “I’m guessing most us will be choking for a Mick Jagger when the restrictions are over and the pubs re-open.”
Though you might think this would be used for football, it’s more likely to be used when asking for more details about something.
Example:Â “What’s the Hampden for later? Where are we going?”
There’s a few different versions of this one, but these two are the most popular, alternatively you can also be going for a Barry White.
Example:Â “I’m away for a Lillian Gish.”
One of the most widely used expressions, Gregory Pecks refers to your glasses.
Example:Â “Where’s your Gregory’s? You’ll not be able to see what’s happening later withou them.”
Another of those expressions that Scottish das are fond of.
Example:Â “Stick that in your sky rocket and save it for later.”
Hugely popular in Scotland, the old pan loaf also doubles up as another way of saying dead.
Example:Â “I’m telling you, that budgie is pan breid.”
If someone in Scotland mentions Hank Marvin, it won’t be the guitarist of the Shadows that they are referring to. It usually means they are hungry.
Example:Â “Is there anything decent in the fridge? I’m Hank Marvin.”
Source: ‘Fancy a pint of Chic Murray for dinner?’ – A Guide to Scottish rhyming slang