The Songs of Our Lives caches celebrate the songs that remind us of people, places, and moments in our lives.
This eclectic selection of songs comes from Mrs Gizmo’s memories. Choosing just a “few” songs for these caches was very difficult.
The caches are located along a good dirt road with a wide vegetation corridor.
Lee Fair Anthem ("My Father's House") - Joseph Walker
Mrs. Gizmo's dad was born in West Ardsley in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England. He emigrated to Australia with his family at the age of 10.
West Ardsley is known for the Lee Gap Fair believed to be England's oldest horse fair.
The Lee Fair Anthem is a time-honoured hymn, composed by local man, Joseph Walker.
Dad remembers singing this when he went to school. He recalls that they would sing it when the Mayor came to visit.
Dad searched for this song in later life after emigrating to Australia. He only remembered it being called the Lee Fair Anthem and none of his family remaining in England knew what he was talking about.
I also tried from time to time to find this on the internet. Dad failed to tell me that he remembered the lyrics or it would have made my search easier. 🤣 I even contacted the Lee Fair organisers which gave me a little more information.
I was told that the song was the anthem of the Tingley Methodist Church, otherwise known as Lee Fair Chapel because of its closeness to the fair fields. My contact had heard the song at a funeral but didn't know of any recordings.
Seven years later, just before Dad's 80th birthday I started looking again and through the magic of facebook got in touch with the Tingley Methodist Church. They were ever so helpful and were going to record one of their older parishioners singing the song so that my dad could hear it. However they actually managed to find a CD with a recording and emailed me that instead.
As Dad never wants gifts. This was my gift to him on his 80th birthday.