If I Had a Ribbon Bow

"If I Had a Ribbon Bow" is Fairport Convention's debut single.

"If I Had a Ribbon Bow"
Single by Fairport Convention
B-side	"If (Stomp)"
Released	23 February 1968
Recorded	10 August 1967
Studio	Sound Techniques, London
Label	Track 604020
Songwriter(s)	Hughie Prince, Louis Singer
Producer(s)	Joe Boyd for Witchseason Productions
Fairport Convention singles chronology
"If I Had a Ribbon Bow" (1968) "Meet on the Ledge" (1968)
Official Audio
"If I Had A Ribbon Bow" on YouTube

The song written by Hughie Prince and Lou Singer had been recorded previously by Maxine Sullivan (a.k.a. Marietta Williams) in 1936, Odetta (1956), Carolyn Hester (1961), Karen Dalton, The Simon Sisters and Mildred Bailey. Fairport Convention recorded their first album for Track Records in 1968. Their American producer Joe Boyd suggested they release a single. He suggested the old 1930s dance song "If I Had a Ribbon Bow."

The band cut the song with singer Judy Dyble playing the harmonium. Her legs were not long enough to reach the pedals/bellows so two other members of the group had to pump them. Tristan Fry, a friend of the group, played the vibes at the beginning and end of the song. Ian Matthews, who was then a new member of the group added a few spoken words. "If I had a Ribbon Bow" was released as a 45 with "If," a track from their first album, as the B-side. It was a minor hit on the BBC.

Personnel

• Judy Dyble – vocal, harmonium
• Ian MacDonald – spoken word
• Richard Thompson – electric guitar
• Simon Nicol – electric guitar
• Ashley Hutchings – bass guitar
• Martin Lamble – drums

with

• Tristan Fry – vibes