The Old House (The Black and White House)
by @riverman · @scruffyblues
Liner Notes
I had been pulled away from FAWM lately due to conflicting interests, but I just received my Postcard Challenge partner's (@scruffyblues) outstanding song (https://write.fawm.org/songs/314522) that she crafted from the postcard I had sent her. Her card to me came all away across the pond from Hereford, which sounds like a wonderful place full of history, beauty and cool people. Her card specifically addressed the Black and White House museum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_House,_Hereford), but I had to drop some other Hereford celebrities and places into the mix. I would have loved to spent more time on this project, but the end of FAWM is rapidly approaching. @scruffyblues, I also would love to see Hereford and hike/climb a hill in the Herefordshire countryside and then hoist an ale in one of Herefords many quaint and historical pubs. Thanks for the cool postcard (even though USPS broke it) and letting me travel in my mind. @beto #PostcardChallenge https://i.postimg.cc/zfCMzSg9/temp-Imageoq-UXc7.avif https://i.postimg.cc/wB8ZYb7X/temp-Imagew-Wx-NOD.avif
Lyrics
Anyone will tell you, Hereford is quaint and picturesque Sir Edward Elgar, Albert Lee and Ellie Goulding know it best They all walked through the Forest of Dean and along the River Wye But the best place to be is near the Old House Where people come from far and wide
Stacey works across the street in the Costa Costa Coffee shop where "Every cup is a work of craft" is on the sign And the famous Hereford bull stands outside my doors Here on St Peter's Street in old High Town, he is enshrined
Chorus Butchers Guild, or The Black and White House Those names don't matter to me I like being called The Old House best over 400 years of Hereford history
Built in half-timbered style before the civil war with 3 gables, an attic and a cellar John Jones, the butcher was the first to live here I have seen saddlers, fish sellers and bank tellers
All of the others around me have been long pulled down And now I am a historical museum With all of the belongings of another time Crowds of children tours come to see all things Jacobean
Comments
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/29137.png){kind=avatar}
I like the double vocals effect, suits this song very well, telling the history. You were a great pair to be matched in this challenge, for sure! I'm going to Hereford in a month, so definitely want to see the black and white house now
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/29134.png){kind=avatar}
@riverman this is such a perfect song crafted from the postcard I sent, it’s teeming with facts (that I didn’t even know) and funny little anecdotes, it really made me smile and even chuckle at points. It’s delivered in such a relaxed and charismatic way and that guitar riff makes me feel like I’m strolling down the high street in a sunny day soaking up the history of this beautiful city. I would just say here in the comments that I actually work at ‘Eden house of coffee’, a local and independent business and not at Costa coffee (a chain). That aside, what’s in a name when the song sounds this lovely and the lyric you wrote fits seamlessly. It has been such a please having this exchange with you and getting the opportunity to hear your song. What a special challenge this is, thank you @beto
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2025/69086933-644e-4389-a3c3-a7b9175779bc.png){kind=avatar}
Thanks for this great historical musical introtution of Hereford! Listening and reading along made me picture that town! I also listened to @scruffyblues part of the game! You are a great pairing!
![[FAWM]](/static/img/demoduck.svg)
I also love the double vocals, it works so well! A warm sweet song that made me smile and even chuckle ("hope I said that right"). So good!