SWAN - SHIPDHAM

From Veronica Champion of Shipdham, undated (CH B3-2-16a)

'There was once a fiddler who lived at Thorpe Row. He used to earn his living going round all the inns and taverns playing. He was also in great demand at weddings, not only for the poor, but for the rich as well.

One night he was due to play at the Old Swan, which stood near the turning for Scarning. As time went by the people became concerned about him and so a few of them went to look for him. He was found with his throat cut beside the road in Swan Lane, near where the allotments are now.

The person or persons who did this dreadful crime were never found. It is said that on some nights he can be seen; at other times heard playing his fiddle in the Thorpe Row area.

`There once was a fiddler of old Thorpe Row,
who met his death a long time ago.
He died at the hands of a stranger, thet say,
but on certain nights he continues to play.'

		Memories collected by Chris Holderness of Rig-a-Jig-Jig for the East Anglian Traditional Musical Trust. The CH numbers refer to Chris's Archive on eatmt.org.
	From Veronica Champion of Shipdham, undated (CH B3-2-16a) 'There was once a fiddler who lived at Thorpe Row. He used to earn his living going round all the inns and taverns playing. He was also in great demand at weddings, not only for the poor, but for the rich as well. One night he was due to play at the Old Swan, which stood near the turning for Scarning. As time went by the people became concerned about him and so a few of them went to look for him. He was found with his throat cut beside the road in Swan Lane, near where the allotments are now. The person or persons who did this dreadful crime were never found. It is said that on some nights he can be seen; at other times heard playing his fiddle in the Thorpe Row area. `There once was a fiddler of old Thorpe Row, who met his death a long time ago. He died at the hands of a stranger, thet say, but on certain nights he continues to play.'