The keen reader might remember British folk trio 23 Fields. Hailing from Hastings, the group has been a guest on our pages on a fair few occasions, the latest being last December, when we praised ‘Jack’ as “a folk song the way folk songs should be: simple and relatable”. We stand by our words; 23 Fields are the quintessential folk outfit, with a lineup of guitar, fiddle and piano making their music incredibly heartwarming and evocative.
Now, the trio has returned with their latest effort, ‘The Mary Stanford (Eternal Father Strong To Save)’. It’s a highly inspired song, a piece written with purpose and historical respect. You see, the record seeks to pay homage to an RNLI lifeboat (the Mary Stanford), which was tragically lost at sea together with the seventeen men who were on board. It’s the greatest loss of life in RNLI history, dating back to 15 November 1928.
Delving deeper into the inspiration behind the song, 23 Fields explain: “The Mary Stanford story is one of profound bravery and unimaginable loss. This song is our way of ensuring that their legacy lives on, while also recognising the dedication of today’s lifeboat crews who embody the same values.” A meaningful, poignant effort; expect more from 23 Fields going forward.
Recommended! Discover ‘The Mary Stanford (Eternal Father Strong To Save)’ on Spotify:
