Three Idle Women: Celebrating Oxford’s canals through music
Folk trio Three Idle Women bring Oxford’s waterways to life with their debut album, All Hands Together
For local folk trio Three Idle Women, Oxford’s canals and rivers aren’t just a part of their surroundings - they’re the heart of their music. The group, made up of Charlie, Steph, and Jane, recently launched their debut album, All Hands Together. It’s a collection of songs inspired by life on the waterways, celebrating the history, people, and beauty of canal life.
The trio’s name, Three Idle Women, is a lighthearted nod to the women who worked on the canals during World War II. “The name is a canal related name,” Jane shared. “Most people will have heard of the Land Army girls who were drafted in to do wartime work on farms, and there was also a boating arm of those women doing war work. All those women who did that work were given a badge that said 'National Service - IW.' The IW stood for Inland Waterways, but later on, they became known as the Idle Women.”
All Hands Together was released on November 8. The album blends original songs with traditional folk tunes, telling stories about life on the water. Highlights include Boatie Boy, a cheerful tale of romance on the Hatton locks, and Castles and Roses, which honors Jack and Rose Skinner, a couple who helped save the Oxford Canal in the 1960s.
Jane explained how their narrowboat lifestyle shapes their music: “Being close to nature, being on the water, being part of a community and identifying as a boatwoman is a real big part of who I am.”
The band’s live performances are just as charming as their music. At a recent fundraiser at Oxford’s Story Museum for the historic narrowboat Kilsby, the trio’s harmonies and fun mix of instruments - accordion, ukulele, piano, and more - had the audience singing along and smiling. Their Oxford album launch was also a huge success, selling out completely.
Before their national debut at London’s Puppet Theatre Barge on November 7, Charlie admitted she felt nervous about selling tickets. But the performance turned out to be another great moment for the group, with their music and connection to the canals perfectly matching the unique barge venue.
All Hands Together has been over ten years in the making, and the songs reflect that dedication. Tracks like Turbulent Waters and The Water is Narrow explore the joys, challenges, and stories of people who live and work on the waterways.
For Three Idle Women, the canals are more than a backdrop - they’re a source of endless inspiration. With their music, they’re keeping the spirit of these waterways alive and sharing it with everyone they meet.
To learn more about Three Idle Women and their debut album, visit threeidlewomen.com.