"The Floral Dance" is a popular English song describing the annual Furry Dance in Helston, Cornwall.
The music and lyric were written in 1911 by Kate Emily Barkley ("Katie") Moss (1881-1947) who was a professional violinist, pianist and concert singer. She was brought up in London and studied at the Royal Academy of Music.
The song tells the story of an incident that apparently actually happened to Moss herself on a visit to Helston during the springtime 'Furry Dance' celebrations and the song was reportedly written directly afterwards as she was going home on the train.
The songbook cover states that the music was "founded on an old Cornish air". Katie introduces the original Furry Dance tune in the piano part just as the singer is describing the sound of the band, with its `fiddle, cello, big bass drum, bassoon, flute and euphonium`.
"The Floral Dance" was first recorded in 1912 by the Australian bass/baritone Peter Dawson, and many other versions have appeared since. Frederick Ranalow's recording was made in order to cash in on the popularity of the Dawson version. The 1960s saw versions by The Eagles (UK), Ken Sims' Vintage Jazz Band (UK) and The Ivy League (UK). A popular instrumental version was recorded in 1979 by Gheorghe Zamfir. Moss' song experienced a major resurrection in an arrangement for the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band by their MD Derek Broadbent, which sold half a million copies, and reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart by Christmas 1977. In 1978, Terry Wogan recorded a version which reached #21 in the same chart. Wogan's version was accompanied by the Hanwell Band, and omitted the final verse containing the climax to the story. On Top of the Pops, Wogan sang it live to a backing track. A version of the song was prominently featured near the beginning of the 1996 film, Brassed Off.
In 2016, a campaign for Christmas Number One was launched for Terry Wogan's version of The Floral Dance after his death. All proceeds of the downloaded single will be given to Children in Need.
Lyric
Melody and lyric by Katie Moss, 1911
As I walked home on a Summer nightWhen stars in Heav'n were shining brightFar away from the footlight's glareInto the sweet and scented airOf a quaint old Cornish townBorne from afar on the gentle breezeJoining the murmur of the summer seasDistant tones of an old world dancePlayed by the village band perchanceOn the calm air came floating downI thought I could hear the curious toneOf the cornet, clarinet and big tromboneFiddle, 'cello, big bass drumBassoon, flute and euphoniumFar away, as in a tranceI heard the sound of the Floral DanceAnd soon I heard such a bustling and prancingAnd then I saw the whole village was dancingIn and out of the houses they cameOld folk, young folk, all the sameIn that quaint old Cornish townEvery boy took a girl 'round the waistAnd hurried her off in tremendous hasteWhether they knew one another I care notWhether they cared at all, I know notBut they kissed as they danced along.And there was the band with that curious toneOf the cornet, clarinet and big tromboneFiddle, 'cello, big bass drumBassoon, flute and euphoniumEach one making the most of his chanceAll together in the Floral DanceI felt so lonely standing thereAnd I could only stand and stareFor I had no boy with meLonely I should have to beIn that quaint old Cornish town.When suddenly hast'ning down the laneA figure I knew I saw quite plainWith outstretched hands he came alongAnd carried me into that merry throngAnd fiddle and all went dancing down.We danced to the band with the curious toneOf the cornet, clarinet and big tromboneFiddle, 'cello, big bass drumBassoon, flute and euphoniumEach one making the most of his chanceAltogether in the Floral Dance.Dancing here, prancing thereJigging, jogging ev'rywhereUp and down, and round the townHurrah! For the Cornish Floral Dance