Concert pierces Dorset’s dark history
Farewell to my family, it’s now I must leave you
That far fatal shore in chains we shall see
Although we are taken, do not be mistaken
As brothers in union we shall be free
They can bring down our wages
Starve all our children
In chains they can bind us, steal all our land
They can mock our religion
From our family divide us
But they can’t break the oath of a Tolpuddle man
THE OPENING verse and chorus of Tolpuddle Man by Graham Moore, the Weymouth-born singer-songwriter who’ll be appearing on Wednesday, October 21 at Bridport Town Hall.
Keith Hatch, of Bridport Museum, which is organizing the event, said: “Recently Graham has been touring in Australia as well as playing at Tolpuddle anniversary events in London and Dorset, so the evening will be a great chance to catch him in an intimate venue.
“For this Bridport Museum concert, Graham will include a wide range of subjects from our amazing local history including the Captain Swing Riots, The Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Oath and the feared invasion of Napoleon Bonaparte.”
The Tolpuddle Martyrs were sentenced to transportation from 1830s Dorset for forming a union.
Graham Moore is also expected to recount stories of witchcraft, crime and punishment, the workhouse and “the Bridport dagger” (the hangman’s noose).
Bridport Town Hall doors open at 7pm on October 21. Tickets cost £8 in advance, £10 on the door, £6 for Friends of the Museum. Buy from Bridport Local History Centre 01308-458703 or Bridport Music 01308-425707.