1. |
A Beginning
01:04
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2. |
The Light Dragoon
02:24
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A light dragoon came over the hill
When the moon was shining clearly
There was a little lady and she knew him by his horse
Because she loved him dearly. Dearly, oh dearly
There was a little lady and she knew him by his horse
Because she loved him dearly.
She's taken him by the nearside rein
Led him to the stable
"Here's corn and hay for your horse, young man
He can eat while he is able."
She's taken him by the lily-white hand
Led him to the table
"It's cake and wine for you, my dear
You can drink while you are able."
She's gone upstairs to make his bed
Make it soft and comfy
So nimble she's jumped into the bed
To see if it was easy.
The light dragoon came up the stairs
Put his trousers on the table
So nimble he's jumped into the bed
To do what he was able.
They've laid in bed till the clock struck one
And the trumpets they were sounding
Her spirits were high and her apron was low
And she run home to her mummy.
"Where have you been all the livelong night?"
Enquired her anxious parents
"I've been alone with the light dragoon
Because I love him dearly."
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3. |
Drink Down the Moon
03:16
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Three maidens a-milking did go
Three maidens a-milking did go
And the wind it did blow high, and the wind it did blow low
It tossed their petticoats to and fro.
They met with some young man they know
They met with some young man they know
And they boldly asked him if he had any skill
To catch them a small bird or two.
Oh yes I've a very good skill
Oh yes I've a very good skill
And it's come along with me to yonder flowering tree
And I'll catch a small bird or two.
So off to the green woods went they
And it's off to the green woods went they
And he tapped at the bush and the bird it did fly in
A little above her lily-white knee.
Her sparkling eyes they did turn around
Just as if she had been all in a swoon
And she cried "I've a bird and a very pretty bird
And he's pecking away at his own ground."
Here's a health to the bird in the bush
Here's a health to the bird in the bush
And we'll drink up the sun and we'll drink down the moon
Let the people say little or much.
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4. |
Ay Waukin, O
03:34
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Simmer's a pleasant time
Floors o' iv'ry colour
The water rins o'er the howe
And I long for my true lover.
Chorus:
Ay waukin, O
Waukin aye and weary
Sleep I canna get
For thinkin' o' my dearie
Ay waukin, O.
When first she cam tae oor toon
They ca'd her Grace McFarlane
But lang ere she gaed awa
They ca'd her a' folks darlin'.
When lanely nicht comes on
A' the lave are sleepin'
I think on my bonnie lass
And bleer my een wi' greetin'.
Her minnie loves her weel
Her daddy loves her better
An' I lo'e the lass mysel'
Wae's me I canna get her.
English translation:
Summer's a pleasant time
Flowers of every colour
The water runs over the hollow
And I long for my true lover.
Chorus:
Always awake , O
Awake, yes, and weary
Sleep I cannot get
For thinking of my dear.
When first she came to our town
They called her Grace McFarlane
And long before she went away
They called her the people's darling.
When lonely night comes on
All the rest are sleeping
I think on my lovely lass
And I blur my eyes with weeping.
Her mummy loves her well
Her daddy loves her better
And I love the lass myself
Woe is me, I cannot get her.
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5. |
The Blacksmith
02:42
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A blacksmith courted me, nine months or better
He fairly won my heart; wrote me a letter
With his hammer in his hand, he looked so clever,
And if I were with my love, I'd live forever.
Oh where is my love gone, with his cheeks like roses?
He is gone across the sea, gathering primroses
I'm afraid the shining sun might burn and scorch his beauty,
And if I were with my love, I'd do my duty.
Strange news is come to town, strange news is carried,
Strange news flies up and down that my love's married
I wish them both much joy, though they don't hear me
And may God reward him well for the slighting of me.
"What did you promise me when you lay beside me?
You said you'd marry me, and not deny me."
"If I said I'd marry you, 'twas only to try you,
So bring your witness, love, and I'll not deny you."
"O, witness have I none save the Almighty
And may He reward you well for the slighting of me."
Her lips grew pale and wan; it made her poor heart tremble
For to think she had loved one, and he proved deceitful.
(Repeat verse 1)
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6. |
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As the lonesome scenes of winter in stormy winds do blow
Clouds around the centre incline to frost and snow
You're the girl that I have chosen to be my only dear
Your scornful heart is frozen and drifted far I fear.
One night I went to see my love; she proved most scornfully
I asked her if she'd marry me but she would not answer me
"The night it is far spent, my love, it's near the break of day
And I'm waiting for an answer: my dear, what do you say?"
"I can but plainly tell you, I will lead a single life
I never thought it fitting that I should be your wife
Now take a civil answer and for yourself provide
I have another sweetheart, and you I've laid aside."
And now my mind is changing, the old love for a new
This wide and lonesome valley I mean to ramble through
In search of someone handsome that might my fancy fill
This world is wide and lonesome; if she won't, some other will.
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7. |
My Girl Ain't No Maggot
01:23
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My girl ain't no maggot
She's nearly twenty-three
She has high heels and tats
And she's in love with me.
My girl ain't no maggot
She makes me feel alive
She likes to go dancing
You ought to see her jive.
My girl ain't no maggot
We went to the same school
I used to walk her home
Her hair it was bright blue.
My girl ain't no maggot
I've known her all my life
And I'm in love with her
She wants to be my wife.
My girl ain't no maggot
Her lips are cherry red
Next Saturday at noon
We are going to be wed.
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8. |
Peggy Gordon
03:41
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Oh, Peggy Gordon you are my darling
Come sit you down upon my knee
And tell to me the very reason
Why I am slighted so by thee.
I'm so in love I can't deny it
My heart lies smothered in my breast
It's not for you to let the world know it
A troubled mind can know no rest.
I did put my head to a cask of brandy
It was my fancy I do declare
For when I'm drinking I am thinking
And wishing Peggy Gordon was here.
I wish I was in some lonesome valley
Where womankind cannot be found
Where pretty little birds do change their voices
And every moment has a different sound.
(Repeat first verse)
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9. |
Star of the County Down
02:13
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Near Banbridge town in the County Down
One morning last July
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen
And she smiled as she passed me by.
She looked so sweet from her two bare feet
To the sheen of her nut brown hair
Such a coaxing elf I'd to shake myself
For to see I was really there.
Chorus:
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
From Galway to Dublin Town
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down.
As she onward sped I turned my head
And I looked with a feeling rare
I said, says I, to a passer by
"Who's the maid with the nut brown hair?"
He smiled at me and he said, said he,
"She's the gem of Ireland's crown.
Rosie McCann From the banks of the Bann
She's the Star of the County Down!"
The harvest fair she'll be surely there
So I'll dress in my Sunday clothes
With my shoes shone bright and my hat cocked right
And a smile for my nut brown rose.
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Till my plough is a rust coloured brown
And a smiling bride by my own fireside
Sits the Star of the County Down.
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10. |
Plaisir d'Amour
01:58
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Plaisir d'amour ne dure qu'un moment
Chagrin d'amour dure toute la vie.
The joys of love are but a moment long
The pain of love endures the whole life long.
Your eyes kissed mine, I saw the love in them shine
You brought me heaven right there when your eyes kissed mine.
My love loves me, a world of wonder I see
A rainbow shines through my window; my love loves me.
And now she's gone like a dream that fades in the dawn
But the words stay locked in my heartstrings; my love loves me.
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11. |
Oh Shenandoah
02:16
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Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you
Away, you rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you
Away, I'm bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri.
Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Away, you rolling river.
For her I'd cross your roaming waters
Away, we're bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri.
'Tis seven long years since last I've seen you
Away, you rolling river.
'Tis seven long years since last I've seen you
Away, we're bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri.
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you
And hear your rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Away, we're bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri.
Oh Shenandoah, just to be near you
Far away, you rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah, just to be near you
Far away, far away, 'cross the wide Missouri.
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12. |
The Watchet Sailor
02:46
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As I was a-walking down Watchet Swain Street,
A jolly old ship mate I chanced for to meet.
"Hello brother sailor you're welcome to home,
In season to Watchet I think you are come."
"Now don't you remember once courting a maid?
But through your long absence she's going to be wed.
Tomorrow in Bristol the wedding's to be,
And I am invited the same for to see."
Jack went and got license that very same night,
And walked into Bristol as soon as 'twas light.
He sat in the Temple churchyard for a while
'Till he saw the bride coming which caused Jack to smile.
He went and he took the fair maid by the hand:
"You're going to be married as I understand,
But if ever you marry then you shall be mine.
So I have come here for to baulk your design."
"Good lord," said the fair maid. "Now what shall I do?
I know I was solemnly promised to you,
The sailor's my true love, and I'll be his bride.
There's none in this world I can fancy beside."
Then the tailor he roared like a man that is mad:
"I'm ruined, I'm ruined, I'm ruined!" he said.
"All you that have sweethearts take them while you may,
Or else the Jack Tars they will take them away."
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13. |
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14. |
The Soldier and the Lady
02:59
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As I was a-walking one morning in May
I met a young couple together at play
And one was a fair maid, so sweet and so fair
And the other was a soldier, a brave Grenadier.
Chorus:
And they kissed so sweet and comforting as they clung to each other
They went arm in arm along the road like sister and brother
They went arm in arm along the road till they came to a spring
And they both sat down together love to hear the nightingale sing.
Then out of his knapsack he drew a fine fiddle
And he played to her such merry tunes that she ever did hear
Oh he played to her such merry tunes, caused the valleys to ring
"Hark, hark," replied the fair maid, "How the nightingale sings."
"Now I'm going to India for seven long years
Drinking wines and strong whisky instead of strong beers
And if ever I should return again 'twill be in the spring
Then we'll both sit down together love to hear the nightingale sing!"
"Oh now," said the lady, "Won't you marry me?"
"No, no," replied the soldier, "How ever can it be?
For I've got a wife at home in my own counterie
And she is the fairest woman that you ever did see."
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15. |
An Autumn Morning
02:11
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On an autumn morning I heard a young maid singing,
Her voice was sweet as honey and I sought to see her face.
I strolled into the meadow as the church bells started ringing,
And I knew when I saw her she'd be my saving grace.
For I'd travelled long and far and seen more than I should,
And my tired heart yearns for a place to rest my head.
The maiden smiled so shyly as I took her hand and courted.
Before the week had passed she'd agreed that we'd be wed.
Now here I am, a happy man, my life is filled with laughter,
For my dear wife sings every day, and children fill our home.
We're not rich, but we will be happy ever after,
I plough the fields and tend the beasts and she threshes the corn.
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16. |
Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy
02:55
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Here's adieu, sweet lovely Nancy, ten thousand times adieu,
I'm a-going around the ocean, love, to seek for something new.
Come change your ring with me, dear girl,
Come change your ring with me,
That it might be a token of true love while I am on the sea.
When I am far upon the sea you knows not where I am.
Kind letters I will write to you from every foreign land.
The secrets of your mind, dear girl,
Are the best of my good will,
So let my body be where it might, my heart is with you still.
There's a heavy storm a-rising, see how it gather round,
While we poor sailors on the sea, are fighting for the crown.
Our officers commanded us
And them we must obey,
Expecting every moment for to get cast away.
There are tinkers, tailors and shoemakers, lie snoring in their sleep,
While we poor souls on the ocean wide are ploughing through the deep.
There's nothing to defend us, love,
Nor to keep us from the cold,
On the ocean wide, where we must bide like jolly seamen bold.
But when the wars are all over there'll be peace on every shore,
We will drink to our wives and our children and the girls that we adore.
We'll call for liquor merrily,
And spend our money free,
And when our money it is all gone we'll boldly go to sea.
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17. |
I'll Tell Me Ma
01:59
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Chorus:
I'll tell me ma when I get home
The boys won't leave the girls alone
They pull my hair and steal my comb
And that's alright till I get home.
She is handsome she is pretty
She's the belle of Belfast city
She is courting one two three
Please won't you tell me who is she.
Albert Mooney says he loves her
All the boys are fighting for her
They rap at the door and ring the bell
Saying, "Oh my true love are you well?"
Out she comes as white as snow
Rings on her fingers bells on her toes
Old Jenny Murray says she'll die
If she doesn't get the fellow with the roving eye.
Let the wind and the rain and the hail blow high
The snow come tumbling from the sky
She's as nice as apple pie
She'll get own own love by and by.
When she gets a lad of her own
She won't tell her ma when she gets home
Let them all come as they will
It's Albert Mooney loves her still.
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18. |
The Week Before Easter
02:45
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'Twas the week before Easter, the morn bright and clear,
The sun it shone brightly and keen blew the air.
I went into the forest to gather wild flowers,
But the forest would yield me no roses.
The roses are red, the leaves they are green,
The bushes and briars are plain to be seen,
The small birds are singing and changing their note
Amongst the wild beasts of the forest.
The first time I saw my love she was dressed all in white,
Made my eyes run and water, quite dazzled my sight,
Thinks I to myself, I might have been that man
But she's left me and gone with another.
The next time I saw my love she was in the church stand
With a ring on her finger and a glove in her hand.
So now she's gone from me and showed me false play,
She's gone and got tied to some other.
Go dig me a grave both long, wide and deep,
And strew it all over with roses so sweet,
That I might lay down there and take a long sleep,
And maybe in time I'll forget her.
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19. |
The Nutting Girl
03:00
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Come all you jovial fellows, come listen to my song,
It is a little ditty and it won't detain you long.
It's of a fair young damsel, she lived down in Kent,
Arose one summer's morning, she a-nutting went.
Chorus:
With me right fol-lol, to me right fol-lah,
Wack fol the dear old day,
And what few nuts that poor girl had
She threw them all away.
It's of a brisk young farmer was ploughing of his land,
He called unto his horses to bid them gently stand.
As he sit down upon his plough all for a song to sing,
His voice was so melodious made the valleys ring.
It's of this fair young damsel, she was nutting in the wood,
His voice was so melodious it charmed her as she stood.
She had no longer power in that lonely wood to stay
And what few nuts she had, poor girl, she threw them all away.
She then came to young Johnny as he sat on his plough,
She said, "Young man, I really feel, I cannot tell you how."
He took her to some shady broom, and there he laid her down.
Says she, "Young man, I think I feel the world go round and round."
Now come all you young women, this warning by me take,
If you a-nutting go please don't stay out too late.
For if you should stay too long to hear the ploughboy sing,
You might have a young farmer to nurse up in the spring.
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20. |
The Dark Eyed Sailor
03:40
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As I roved out one evening fair,
It being the summertime to take the air,
I spied a sailor and a lady gay
And I stood to listen
And I stood to listen
To hear what they would say.
He said, "Fair lady, why do you roam,
For the day is spent and the night is on."
She heaved a sigh while the tears did roll.
"For my dark-eyed sailor x2
So young and stout and bold."
"'Tis seven long years since he left this land,
A ring he took from off his lily-white hand.
One half of the ring is still here with me,
But the other's rolling x2
At the bottom of the sea."
He said, "You may drive him out of your mind,
Some other young man you will surely find.
Love turns aside and soon cold has grown
Like a winter's morning x2
The hills all white with snow."
She said, "I'll never forsake my dear,
Although we're parted this many a year.
Genteel he was and no rake like you,
To induce a maiden x2
To slight the jacket blue."
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Graham Irwin Umbria, Italy
Graham is is a semi-retired IT professional. An amateur musician, he has been playing the guitar for over 50 years. He was a floor singer at several London folk venues in the seventies, and now lives in rural Umbria, Italy with his wife, two dogs and 15 cats. ... more
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