‘The Dirty Five’ was inspired by an old photograph my great-granddad, Jim Marshall, sent home during training at Redcar camp. Around the edges of the photo, he’d left a pencil message ‘Yours Sincerely The Dirty Five’. Reading that was the start of a journey into this part of my family history. This is a song about five young working class Barnsley lads who stuck together, keeping each other’s spirits up with their jokes and jaunty songs right until the end.
Album version of ‘The Dirty Five’ and more songs inspired by family stories from around the Great War can be heard on my latest album ‘Sing Beneath The Sun’.
The CD + Booklet
It was an honour and a very moving experience to perform at Imperial War Museum North in July for the launch of ‘Lest We Forget?’. I’ve edited more of Jim’s wartime photographs into the footage here. Some in particular make it plain; many of them were just lads, boys sent to fight an old man’s war.
‘It was a pleasure to work with a young musician of such maturity, humility, and ability…Outstanding Musicianship.’ – Ralph McTell ‘
…A consumate songwriter, Jefferson brings a story to life.’ – BBC Radio Sheffield
‘Sing Beneath The Sun’, Sam’s latest album, has earned him concert performances at Imperial War Museum North, in Ypres with the Royal British Legion, and on the main stage at Broadstairs Folk Week. The album is comprised of 10 original songs, inspired by the lives of his great-grandparents, Jim and Edith-Maude Marshall, who worked at Gawber Colliery and Staincross Cotton Mill respectively. Many songs on the album also tell the stories behind photographs Jim sent back during the War. Each song is an insight into harsh, austere, yet inspiring lives.’