Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger: The Ballad of John Axon

Taken from the album Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger & Charles Parker ‘The Ballad Of John Axon’ 1965 on Argo Records. Written by Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger. First transmitted on July 2nd 1958 for the BBC Home Service, this compelling recording of radio-ballads (the first of 8 recorded between 1958-1964) proved so popular that the BBC were inundated with letters of praise and requests for repeat airings. 6 parts of the series became available on LP via Argo Records between 1965-1970, until the brilliant Topic Records released all 8 parts on cd direct from the original masters between 1999 & 2008. The radio-ballads were described by Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger as 'the work of a team of singers (Inc. A.L. Lloyd, Ian Campbell, Isla Cameron, John Faulkner & Joe Heaney), songwriters (MacColl & Seeger), technicians (Charles Parker), instrumentalists (Inc. Dave Swarbrick & Alf Edwards) and others who were consciously attempting to apply the techniques of folk creation to one part of the mass media...radio’. This particular part gave birth to the medium of Radio Ballad after the BBC commissioned a documentary in the autumn of 1957 on the life of railwayman John Axon, following his death in February of the same year. The BBC eventually got rid of radio-ballads and their unit dedicated to it shortly after these recordings were made, even going as far as to sack Charles Parker (producer of these recordings) in 1972, however over 5000 hours of recordings made by Parker are now available on the internet. MacColl & Seeger's history speaks for itself and their contribution to British folk is only strengthened by this excellent collection. These recordings have been put up for the enjoyment and education of others unable to enjoy them at the time. Any requests for them to be taken down from youtube will result in their immediate removal. I do not own or claim to own any copywrite with regards to this recording. All rights to the owners.

[@Clivesharrison]

So happy to find this, the Ewan MacColl radio ballads are priceless cultural treasures and revolutionary when I first heard them

[@thebrownshadowrecords7966]

You’ll find all the episodes right here, and videos of the episodes elsewhere on KZbin, which are well worth a watch!

[@eliotreader8220]

@@thebrownshadowrecords7966 really lovely songs

[@christopherogley1714]

Amazing....a lot of people could improve their minds by putting Ewan's radio shows into Thier heads... everything is rammed automaton into our eyes a la clockwork orange these days... AHH imagination...what a fine tool.. I was born and bred in a dirty old town next to the railway ..took me years to learn to sleep without the noise of the trains when I moved....in the blood ...aye... ....more please? .. thank you very much....

[@thebrownshadowrecords7966]

The full Radio Ballads collection is available! Seek and ye shall find! Enjoy, and thanks for your comments!

[@dickmiles6639]

wonderful thanks Ewan and Peggy and Charles Parker

[@christopherogley1714]

When men were men ...no ordinary men here .... extraordinary men... extraordinary man extraordinary programming.... extraordinary wo man

[@bloodyhell8201]

They're still men.

[@TheHistoricalHiker]

Beautiful tribute to an 'ordinary' man whose story would've otherwise been forgotten. But also an effective documentary! I was surprised how much I learned from listening to this. It really felt like a slice of life from post-war Derbyshire.

[@eliotreader8220]

I do agree that this is a beautiful Tribute to a ordinary working man who worked for BR as a steam loco driver.

[@spearce000]

I read a transcript of this many years ago, but had never heard the actual ballad until today. It really brings history to life. Thanks for sharing.

[@jonathandnicholson]

I really like his ballad. I love steam trains as well as it reminding me of my Uncle Tony... I miss Tony, but this makes me miss him a little less...

[@lawrencecody9316]

John Axon`s grandson, born 1960, went on to become an actor in tv, and films.and sadly passed away at 48 in 2008..I were told about this accident at an early age, and were always fascinated by the story..and the circumstances at how things,fine on their own, but one day, come together,with disastrous results..

[@thebrownshadowrecords7966]

Them’s the breaks, one might say!

[@phwbooth]

Very moving.

[@brybish]

John axon I heard this at primary school late 60's

[@julianmeek2156]

This makes the tears well up. What a brave man. By the way, I get the reference to Kenneth Tynan and the word f... but is it used on here? I did hear "cock of the bonk" - meaning "top dog" or "top man. Ah yes, about 37mins in "fookin'". Well, well, one less for Calcutta Kenny. Incidentally, two people who are featured on this are Mr. Axon's widow, Gladys and his colleague Ron Scanlon, who was ordered by Mr Axon to leave the engine that day by jumping. Both call him "Jack". So that question is answered. This recording played on my mind for a long time after I heard it first, and well it should have done. Rest in peace Mr. Axon - you saved lives that day.

[@bakedbean37]

"This recording played on my mind for a long time after I heard it first, and well it should have done. Rest in peace Mr. Axon - you saved lives that day." Same here. I came looking for this after a reflection on lost analogue recordings I had previously. This still gives me the chills. I'm so glad it's out here in the wild still. RIP Jack and thank you for your service and sacrifice.

[@martyncarroll5035]

If chapel-en-le-frith was still Called Chapel-le-Frith-South What would it have common With mansion house and south Ealing underground stations Their the only stations that have all the vowels in the They names

[@martyncarroll5035]

Was the engine of the rowsley to Edgley 48151 which is now preserved

[@thebrownshadowrecords7966]

In these days of little preservation this news is a score!

[@8213_productions]

no the engine involved was stanier class 8f 48188 and was scrapped at cashmores in 08/1966 48305 was dressed up as 48188 at one point

[@davidwright7193]

@@8213_productions48188 was Axon’s engine. He is talking about the engine of the train they ran into.

[@davidwright7193]

48151 was working out of Rotherham in 1957 so was unlikely to have been pulling a freight train over the Monsaldale line into Stockport at that time.

[@Tevildo]

37:45 Was this actually broadcast? If so, it precedes Kenneth Tynan's usage of the word by seven years. :)

[@thebrownshadowrecords7966]

The first transmission of this recording was on 2nd of July 1958, which (if my maths serves me right) was pretty much 63years ago to the day!

[@eliotreader8220]

way was John Axon known as Jack? was it his nickname?

[@thebrownshadowrecords7966]

This I cannot answer conclusively, I’m sorry to say 😔

[@startmakingsense2071]

Jack is a nickname for John.

[@eliotreader8220]

@@startmakingsense2071 I guess one of his friends had to drink that glass of Beer for him?