Audio

In The Luddite Lament, the award winning folk singer John Tams looks back at the machine breakers of 200 years ago, through the prism of the songs they inspired.

A stirring folk song performed by Jim Potter about an attack on Foster's Mill near Wakefield which took place on 9 April 1812. . Assault on the Horbury Mill of Joseph Foster near Wakefield. Armed crowd, of between 300 to 600, destroyed gig-mills, cropping shears and frames, and cloth. Damage amounted to about £700....

For further information and lyrics see: 

http://www.yorkshirefolksong.net/song_database/Crime/Fosters__Mill.79.aspx 

Another folk song performed by Jim Potter which celebrates Yorkshire Luddism.

For further information and lyrics see:  

http://www.yorkshirefolksong.net/song_database/Crime/The_Cropper_Lads.78.aspx