The story of Bob Copper and the Copper Family, one of the stalwarts of English folk music, and the remarkable tale of their songs' continuing influence.
The documentary includes interviews with three generations of Coppers, as well as Billy Bragg, Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy and Shirley Collins.
Producer Interview: David Battcock
BBC Four: Are the Copper Family songs still relevant or are they just for nostalgia buffs?
Dave Battcock: I think they are very relevant. The songs may be old but those emotions of love and joy and relationships are what most pop songs are about. If you take out the old-fashioned language and get through to the emotion it's the same as any popular song.
BBC Four: They've never really been professional musicians, have they?
Dave Battcock: Not at all, and in some way that's part of the joy of it. For them, the importance is singing. When we started discussing the documentary with the family, they were very keen that we point out that they all get together every Wednesday to sing in one of their houses. The actual singing in front of audiences is not what it's about for them. They've really only been doing that for the last 50 years.
The traditions started with everybody singing in the pub, probably led by the Copper Family because they knew the songs and were the great singers in the village, but it was more of a communal experience - a sing-song and a pint. That then moved to people going to see them, but the important thing to them is singing; they are not that bothered about people watching it.
BBC Four: From the interviews with Bob Copper in the programme, one of the things he seems most thrilled about is that his grandchildren are now continuing the tradition.
Dave Battcock: Bob didn't really know that they sang. Then one Christmas, after lunch, the kids said, "Okay Gramps, we're off." He was sitting there a bit grumpy, and they all went out and had a little rehearsal and came back and sang the songs to Bob. He told me that he had tears streaming down his face. He was so pleased. And they've been getting involved ever since. They're not bothered about becoming great singers or going professional. They're just going to do what the family has always done - sing the songs.
BBC Four: The film ends with Bob Copper's funeral. It seemed more celebratory than mournful.
Dave Battcock: It was a huge celebration and it was a privilege to be there. For a start, it lasted about four hours. I'd never seen anything like it. Before his death Bob was absolutely flying on all cylinders, he was as sharp mentally as he ever was, but he was 89 and he'd had bouts of illness. His going was very sad and very sudden but it was still a time to celebrate what he had. There were people there from America and Japan and the running order was huge because everybody sang a song! The Coppers sang five. Singing really is a very fundamental thing for them. When we first started planning the project I went for an evening with Bob when he was still living in his cottage. His son John came over and they opened up a bottle. We were just chatting about what we'd do in the film and they'd just be in and out of songs. It was as natural as that - constantly singing.
BBC Four: Do you have a personal favourite Copper song?
Dave Battcock: The one that really sent shivers through me was Shepherds Arise. It's one of the oldest, and is a kind of Christmas carol, but is also about England's rural and cultural heritage. They were at Chichester Cathedral last December, which we filmed, but ended up not using in the documentary. Bob had been a bit poorly in the autumn and was quite frail. He came on and was helped up in front of a packed cathedral and they sang Shepherds Arise. It echoed around the cathedral. That was absolutely astounding and you could see the church marvelling at this really old, small man - but he was so huge.
