Stolen From God – a song cycle about the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Line up – Reg Meuross (guitar, vocals, banjo) with Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (Granny’s Attic – concertina, vocals) and special guest/s tba
The show – is a narrated song cycle – written by Reg, and arranged collaboratively – unfolding the history of England (in particular the SW)’s involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade
With extensive evidence of the slave trade across the South-West of England, and a real need for the stories to be uncovered, Reg Meuross has written a powerful set of songs ‘Stolen From God’, with narration to tell the challenging and often harrowing tales of England’s past.
Recognised as a “true troubadour with a social conscience” by Mark Radcliffe, Reg Meuross has made it his life’s work to bring the stories of the oppressed, forgotten and misrepresented members of our human family to light.
Reg has never shied away from confronting uncomfortable truths, questioning the decisions of the powerful, and addressing false histories in his songs: whether it’s calling out the repugnant effects of austerity in Faraway People, or hard-hitting social commentary with The Lonesome Death of Michael Brown, his belief that “folk songs provide a rapid and accessible route into history and its relevance to current affairs and our lives” stood him in good stead when it came to unearthing and tackling the subject matter of Stolen from God. “While nothing can be done to atone for the atrocities carried out during that period in British history, it’s obvious to me that there is a need for greater awareness of the West Country’s involvement in the Slave Trade to be increased on all levels. As the scale of the South West’s economic reliance and influence in the slave trade began to reveal itself, with this knowledge came a sense of betrayal; that after 200 years so much of this important part of our history is only now being owned and examined.
My task with Stolen From God was to produce a song cycle of original songs telling the stories I’ve found, and to present a history of The South West’s involvement in The Slave Trade in a way that will be easily accessible and will have impact.”
Cohen adds “Stolen From God brings attention to a seriously neglected era of British history with songs that are genuinely thought-provoking”.