In April this year Simon Houlihan and Paul James produced a very special show for Folk Radio UK which featured an interview with English Folk legend Shirley Collins. For those that missed the show you can now listen again
Shirley Collins & Ashley Hutchings
Shirley Collins and the Albion Country Band’s groundbreaking album No Roses (1971) included a memorable version of the bleak tale of The Poor Murdered Woman. Written in the 1830s about real events on Leatherhead Common, the programme takes Shirley Collins back to when she first heard the song in the early 1960s, how the song has stayed with her through the decades – and unearths new information about the fate of the poor murdered woman with Shirley Collins and local historian Alun Roberts seeking out the spot where she was buried in a pauper’s grave in Leatherhead’s parish churchyard on 15th January 1834.
Presented by Paul James. Featuring Shirley Collins, Alun Roberts and Vaughan Savidge. Produced by Simon Houlihan and Paul James. February 2013.
The Times, Tuesday, January 14. 1834
SUPPOSED MURDER. While the Surrey Union Fox Hounds (which are under the direction of H.Combe Esq.) were out hunting on Saturday last on Leatherhead Common, a most extraordinary and horrid circumstance occurred, which at present is involved in great mystery. About 12 o’clock in the day, as the huntsman (Kitt) was beating about for a fox, the hounds suddenly made a dead set at a clump of bushes on the common. As no fox made his appearance, the huntsman whipped the dogs off, but they still returned to the bushes, and, smelling all round would not leave. Supposing there was a fox which would not break cover, the huntsman, & c., beat the bushes, and in doing so, to their astonishment and horror, they discovered the body of a woman in a state of decomposition, so much so, that attempting to remove it was found to be impracticable. A person was placed to watch the remains, and information was sent to Dr. Evans, of Leatherhead, who promptly attended. On examining the head, a severe wound was found, and from the general appearance of the body it is supposed to have lain there several months. It was placed in a shell and removed to the Royal oak, on the common, where a coroner’s inquest is summoned to assemble this day (Monday). Various rumours are afloat some stating that the unfortunate woman was the wife if a travelling tinker.
The Poor Murdered Woman – the song
Extract from English Traditional Songs and Carols
It was Hanky the squire as I’ve heard men say
Who rode out a-hunting on one Saturday
They hunted all day but nothing they found
But a poor murdered woman laid on the cold groundAbout eight o’clock, boys, our dogs they throve off
On Leatherhead Common and that was the spot
They tried all the bushes but nothing they found
But a poor murdered woman laid on the cold groundThey whipped their dogs off and they kept them away
“We do think it proper that she should have fair play”
They tried all the bushes but nothing they found
But a poor murdered woman laid on the cold groundThey mounted their horses and they rode off the ground
They rode to the village and alarmed it all around
“It is late in the evening, I’m sorry to say
She cannot be removed until the next day”The next Sunday morning about eight o’clock
Some hundreds of people to the spot they did flock
For to see the poor creature, your hearts would have bled
Some cold-hearted violence came into their headsShe was took off the Common and down to some inn
And the man that has kept it, his name is John Simms
The coroner was sent for, the jury they joined
And soon they concluded and settled their mindThe coffin was brought, in it she was laid
And took to the churchyard of this court Leatherhead
No father nor mother nor no friend I’m told
Came to see the poor creature laid under the groundSo now I conclude and I’ll finish my song
And those that have tarried shall find themselves wrong
To the last day of Judgement a trumpet shall sound
And their souls not in heaven, I’m afraid, can’t be found.
Leatherhead Museum Display
If you’re interested in this great tale many of you will be pleased to know that Leatherhead Museum is presenting a display about the song and its Leatherhead connection. This was opened by Shirley on 6th April and will be on show for a while.