14 Facts About Harry Cox

Harry Cox's music inspired folk revival musicians including Shirley Collins, The Dubliners and Steeleye Span.

Harry Cox was born in Barton Turf in 1885, the seventh of thirteen children born to Robert Cox, a seaman, and Sarah Cox.

Harry Cox served in the Royal Navy in the First World War, worked at various farms in the local area and sang in pubs in Sutton, Potter Heigham and Ludham.

In 1927 at the age of 42, Cox married Elsie Amis, who died in 1951.

In 1934, Moeran arranged for Harry Cox to be recorded by Decca Records in London.

Harry Cox had a huge repertoire of around 150 songs, which he learnt from his father, mother, grandfather, and others.

Harry Cox is admired for the breadth and variety of his repertory, some 140 items ranging from rough bawdry to high balladry, but above all for his technique, based, according to the BBC producer Francis Dillon, on 'a carefully placed decoration, a beautifully judged phrasing, an exact control of highly complex rhythm and a singing tone which requires no accompaniment'.

Perseverance is rewarded for Harry Cox employed many of the traditional singer's devices effectively, if quietly, and produced many moving performances.

Harry Cox played the fiddle, melodeon and tin whistle, participated in traditional step dancing and made dancing dolls.

Harry Cox was amongst the most important traditional singers to have been discovered by folk song collectors in the twentieth century, along with others who include fellow Norfolk residents Sam Larner and Walter Pardon.

Harry Cox had a significant impact on the 1960s folk revival, fascinating folk song enthusiasts.

Harry Cox could make you smile with The Maid of Australia or move you with Polly Vaughan and his Death of Nelson is one of the most touchingly mournful songs I ever heard and does that great hero honour.

Harry Cox was modest in his demeanour in spite of all the praise that was so rightly heaped on him, but he had learned and sung the songs, not to impress, but because he loved and valued them, and that was conveyed in his performances.

Harry Cox had a rare grace and a genuine sweetness in both his person and his singing.