The story of Cornish Miner/Poet John Harris has been celebrated by the release of a 3 track EP by Falmouth Folk Singer Will Keating, in this, his bicentennial year (two-hundredth anniversary).

The EP, entitled "Gyllyngdune" was released on 30th of December and is available on all digital platforms.

Will took two John Harris poems, Gyllyngdune and Helford River and turned them into songs.

The 3rd song lyrics were written during lockdown when Will held an 8-week poetry challenge in conjunction with BBC Radio Cornwall.

Out of the hundreds of poems sent in "The Ballad of Eliza Tremaine," written by Oli Stephens from Launceston, was chosen and Will set about turning the poem into a song.

Will said:

"I found John Harris' remarkable story fascinating. The man spent 24 years working down a mine, then published 15 books of poetry. I really wanted to do something special to celebrate his bicentennial year, especially as the planned celebrations had to be cancelled due to covid."

The Ballad of Eliza Tremaine features John Dowling on Banjo and Kevin Brinn on Accordion. Helford River features Anna Dowling on Fiddle.

These songs were recorded at Treslothan Church, the place John Harris chose to be buried in 1884. The title track, Gyllyngdune, also features John and Anna Dowling, recorded at St Just Miners Chapel.

Will added:

"It was important to me to not only use local musicians but also record somewhere that had a connection, rather than using a recording studio that could effectively be anywhere. I am incredibly happy with the results, and even more so with the experience and memories created recording at these wonderful locations."

The EP, Gyllyngdune is available as a digital download or can be streamed from most digital platforms.

Click here to see more from Will Keating.

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