Ow Styrya Ilow Kernewek
Defining Cornish Music

Defining Cornish-ness is an age-old challenge – what makes a person (or a piece of music for that matter) Cornish for one person, might not be what makes it Cornish for another. Part of our aim is to represent the breadth and depth of music that is part of Cornish culture, so we’ve carefully considered how wide to cast our net of what to include in an archive of Cornish music. It can be quite the conundrum – consider for example, a piece of music written about Cornwall – but not by a Cornish person? Or, to take the opposite example, written by a Cornish person – but with nothing particularly “Cornish” about the music?

We’ve put our heads together and decided to include music that is, or has been: popular in Cornwall, impactful in Cornwall, written in Cornwall, written about Cornwall, inspired by Cornwall – thus aiming to include individuals, traditions and and compositions that express, reflect and celebrate Cornwall and our distinctive identity.

Most recent articles:
Kan Pyskador Kernewek / Can Pyscajor Kernewek / The Cornish Fisherman's Hymn, written by Henry Jenner to the tune of "The Pilgrims of the Night" by Henry Smart. First published in Lyver Canow Kernewek - The Cornish Song Book edited by Ralph Dunstan 1929. We are grateful to Father Ross
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‘St Mabena’s Hymn’ by Angela Bunney
We heard recently from Tamsin Bunney Ford, who wanted to add two songs to the archive which were written by her mother: this, ‘St Mabena’s Hymn’, and another song titled ‘Cornish Lanes’. Angela died in 2024. Most people knew her as Angela Bunney; she was part of the ’60s Thames
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‘Cornish Lanes’ by Angela Bunney
We heard recently from Tamsin Bunney Ford, who wanted to add two songs to the archive which were written by her mother: this, Cornish Lanes, and St Mabena’s Hymn. Click here to listen to Tamsin singing this song. Angela died in 2024. Most people knew her as Angela Bunney; she
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