REV HAMMER

FREEBORN JOHN 2008 TOUR

“An epic folk-rock opera” Guardian  “Stirring rock, rousing folk and blasting country soul” Mirror

Tues 12th February  Barnstaple Queens Theatre   01271 324242  www.northdevontheatres.org.uk
Wed 13th February Northampton Derngate  01604 624811 www.royalandderngate.co.uk
Thu 14th February Leeds City Variety  08456 441881 www.cityvarieties.co.uk
Fri 15th February Kings Lynn Corn Exchange  01553 764864 www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk
Sat 16th February London Union Chapel  0870 264 3333 www.unionchapel.org.uk
Sun 17th February Buxton Opera House  0845 127 2190 www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

John Lilburne  

English history has provided us with no more dramatic or colourful a character than England's first radical, John Lilburne, an unsung hero of the English Civil War. Lilburne's unflagging opposition to authority came from a lifelong fight for liberty and he became known by the people of England as "Free-born John". Struggles for freedom of speech, freedom of the press, of conscience and many other 'liberties' and 'freedoms' resulted in his being whipped and pilloried by the King's Star Chamber, imprisoned by Parliament, banished into exile and twice put on trial for his life by Oliver Cromwell.

Rev started work on the "Freeborn John" album late in 1995. It was an ambitious project which took two wonder-full years to record. It tells a musical story of John Lilburne. Audiences and performers, charmed on the wings of great songs and a big issue, revel in the visceral thrill of the words and music of "Freeborn John" and realise Lilburne's immediate relevance to contemporary England. The songs and characters are populated by Rev, Maddy Prior, The Levellers, Justin Sullivan, New Model Army, Eddi Reader, Rory McLeod, Harry S. Fulcher and Phil Johnstone. Phil produced the album and Mike Gregovich made it sound like les ballons du chiens. The "Freeborn John" show was performed to standing ovations on all three nights of the 2005 Beautiful Days Festival thanks to the faith of Dave Farrow.

DOWNLOADS and THANKS
Thanks to Dave Farrow and The Levellers
The "Freeborn John" shows at the 2005 Beautiful Days Festival caught the imagination of the thousands who gave it a standing ovation three nights in a row.  It's been amazing to learn firsthand and by hearsay how people have been affected. Perfect citizens have posted praise, quality photos and videos of those shows on the World Wide Wobbly. The artists have had the fire of their faith in the songs and story of "Freeborn John" fiercely fanned. This website has sourced some of the audio, photos and videos available and we wish to give proper credit and thanks to the authors. Please contact

if you have not been credited properly or have material which you believe should be included here.
OK, below is a selection of what has been posted publicy and also what we've trawled up from our own archives.

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