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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a jewel case with an attractive 16-page booklet including lyrics to all songs, comprehensive CD liner notes by Gary Miller & Keith Armstrong, beautiful individual track artwork by Keith Lawrence Palmer, individual track notes by Keith Armstrong, full recording details and credits, etc.

    NB: - CD is the original 14-track version and does not include the 2 bonus tracks available with the digital version.

    IMPORTANT MESSAGE for non-UK buyers:
    Please be aware that if you are ordering from outside the UK, due to reasons beyond our control, you may be liable for additional charges, e.g. customs tax. Please note: we will NOT refund payment for any items refused or returned to us due to non-payment of these charges at point of delivery.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Bleeding Sketches [Bonus Track Edition] via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
    2 remaining

      £6.99 GBP

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £0.69 GBP

     

about

The Market Town of Hexham, Northumberland, has a rich history. Saint Wilfrid (with others, I presume!) built the first church there in 674, the forerunner of the famous Hexham Abbey.
By the 18th Century, Hexham was alive with trades people, particularly leatherworkers. The town became famous for its leather gloves known as 'Hexham Tans'. In 1823, the historian Andrew Wright recorded that 23,504 dozen pairs of gloves were produced annually by a workforce of 1,000 sewing women working at home, with 110 men and boys employed as leather dressers and cutters. By the late 19th Century the trade was virtually at an end.

(Keith Armstrong - from original liner notes)

lyrics

HEXHAM TANS

You ancient company
Of skinners and glovers
You gossiping crafts

You hatters and tanners
Leather-dressers and cutters
We can you and sniff you
In Hexham’s dank lanes

You clockmakers and bookbinders
Pipemakers and joiners
We touch your work-sore hands

You shoemakers and collarmakers
Weavers and saddlers
We bear your burdens and your smiles

You dressmakers, ropeworkers
Cabinetmakers, basketmakers
Tinsmiths and millwrights
Butchers and engravers

Hexham
Let me shake your townsfolk by the hand
As I finger the shelves of Northumberland
Over centuries, the blood has darted
Through the arteries of the brave faint-hearted
Hands have caressed, hands have waved
Hands have destroyed and bodies saved

Hexham
In my glove I hold your history
I squeeze the tears from all your mystery
Across the bridge the trades have fled
Fingerprinted the riverbed
Tools have hammered, tools have shaped
Tools have made and bodies raped

Hexham
Maker of many a thousand gloves
Your people mad as hatters’ loves
Ring you bells, wring your hands
And hope that Wilfrid understands

You 1000 sewing women in your homes
You bakers and tapestry-makers
You’ve led us here
We worship you
We drink your sweat

(lyrics: Keith Armstrong / music: Gary Miller)

credits

from Bleeding Sketches [Bonus Track Edition], released October 2, 1995
Gary Miller - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Glenn Miller - accordion
Mick Tyas - bass, backing vocals
Nick Buck - drums
Keith Armstong - spoken word

license

all rights reserved

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about

Gary Miller Durham, UK

Gary Miller first rose to international prominence with folk-punk/rock pioneers The Whisky Priests (1985-2002), founded with his twin brother Glenn - “the Joe Strummer and Mick Jones of Folk Music". He now performs as a solo artist and with his new band 'Gary Miller's Big Picture' whose debut album is coming soon. ... more

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