Let No Man Steal Your Thyme

Rebsie

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Description

This is English music at its most raw and ethnic ... maybe not everybody's cup of tea but I felt like recording it just as it is.

All these old folk songs keep pouring out of me at the moment. The ancestors have got hold of me and given me a good shaking ...

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Lyrics

Come all you fair and tender girls
That flourish in your prime
Beware, beware, keep your garden fair
Let no man steal your thyme

For when your thyme it is past and gone
He'll care no more for you
And every place where your thyme was waste
Shall spread all o'er with rue

For a woman is a branchy tree
And man a clinging vine
And from her branches carelessly
He'll take what he can find

Song Stats

Hits: 3027
Comments: 51
Fans: 20
Plays: 432
Downloads: 85
Votes: 13
Uploaded: Sep 29, 2006 - 06:00:31 PM
Last Updated: Sep 29, 2006 - 06:00:31 PM Last Played: Oct 12, 2009 - 08:31:50 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

English (32), traditional (76), a cappella (24)

Hardware:

Mac, Rode condenser mic, airwaves

Software:

Comments

apb

apb said 1136 days ago (September 29th, 2006)

Excellent
..I'm glad these traditional songs are being surfaced through the medium
of Rebsie ..

a strong message to young woman of the wicked ways of us men .. and
a timeless one ..

your voice is perfect and totally 'right' for these kind of melodies ..
well sung/performed and I hardy missed any backing, although I think
it overall may benefit from some.

oh -- mint sauce, not thyme .. ;o)

Check out my latest song called Misplaced

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Let no man steal your mint sauce Yes, it just goes to show that ranting about the transient nature of male affection is not a recent phenomenon. --- <a href="http://thelostrecords.com/revolving-doris-artist.html">Revolving Doris: Imber</a> Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

thoddi

thoddi said 1136 days ago (September 29th, 2006)

:)
This felt so near that I could visualize you singing this in your home studio.
I'm having trouble with my mac's fan making a lot of noise nowadays, so I'd have to take the mic in another room to get this sort of quietness in a recording.

A beautiful song, perfect with your voice. The ancestors is proud and will not shake you any more. They would just love if you'd do more of this:)

Check out my latest song called Don't tell me what I can't w/KTB and Ingve

Rebsie

Rebsie said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)

Thanks Thoddi
I'm glad you couldn't hear the Mac noise, because I still haven't got round to making a vocal booth and I really should! The first time I tried to record this song, about a year ago, I took the microphone into the bathroom, thinking its stillness and natural reverb would be ideal. What I got was a nice reverby recording with the sound of a lavatory cistern dripping and (amplified by the bath overflow pipe) the roar of a passing bus.

Indeed the ancestors do want me to do more of these! I'm taking the hint.

---
<a href="http://thelostrecords.com/revolving-doris-artist.html">Revolving Doris: Imber</a>

Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

	said 1136 days ago (September 29th, 2006)
	Wow Rebsie, This seems to be in a slighltly higher register than I'm accustomed to hearing you (or is it you're closer to the mic?). It makes the result to my ears poignantly fragile. Well done. In a Friday Night Mood, Bill

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Cheers Mungo You may be right about the higher register. In an attempt to make it as natural and spontaneous as possible I didn't give myself a particular note to start on ... just let it come out at whatever pitch it wanted. --- <a href="http://thelostrecords.com/revolving-doris-artist.html">Revolving Doris: Imber</a> Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

jiguma	jiguma said 1136 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Beautiful! Beautiful Rebsie! Gets me feeling all traditional (and a little nostalgic for times past). Your voice sounds beautiful and all the other instruments too : ) The Rode reproduces so perfectly. Neil Check out my latest song called Under My Skin

jiguma	jiguma said 1136 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Beautiful! Beautiful Rebsie! Gets me feeling all traditional (and a little nostalgic for times past). Your voice sounds beautiful and all the other instruments too : ) The Rode reproduces so perfectly. Neil Check out my latest song called Under My Skin

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Hehe ... Thanks Neil! Yep, you can't beat a good Australian mic ... --- <a href="http://thelostrecords.com/revolving-doris-artist.html">Revolving Doris: Imber</a> Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

caroline	caroline said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	yes! yes! and thrice i say ... yes!! beautiful voice, wonderful song - well done rebs and how appropriate - a garden song. in my book you will always be the 'eroine of the 'erb xoxoxxo Check out my latest song called clink that link mjrf

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	'eroine of the 'erb, eh? Cheers Caroline ... this song has always appealed to the horticulturalist in me. --- <a href="http://thelostrecords.com/revolving-doris-artist.html">Revolving Doris: Imber</a> Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

echoroom	echoroom said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Beautiful Usually, this type of music isn't my thing, but your voice just demands attention, educates me, and tells me what I'm missing. Thanks, that was just wonderful. Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Awww, thanks Steve! --- <a href="http://thelostrecords.com/revolving-doris-artist.html">Revolving Doris: Imber</a> Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

	said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	As an old fan... ...of the Pentangle's version, I really enjoyed your vocal performance. Nice work Rebsie! I love English folk music (though my delivery tends to be a tad more brutal: http://www.macjams.com/song/23423). I'm glad there are Macjammers about who feel as I do! Be well!

	said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	As an old fan... ...of the Pentangle's version, I really enjoyed your vocal performance. Nice work Rebsie! I love English folk music (though my delivery tends to be a tad more brutal: http://www.macjams.com/song/23423). I'm glad there are Macjammers about who feel as I do! Be well!

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1131 days ago (October 4th, 2006)
	Thank you! Oh yes, English folk song has been a passion of mine for a long time ... so there'll be plenty more where this came from. --- <a href="http://thelostrecords.com/revolving-doris-artist.html">Revolving Doris: Imber</a> Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

	dougscar56 said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Beautiful Really nice! I enjoyed listening to this, even though I typically don't listen to much besides orchestral stuff.

	dougscar56 said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Beautiful Really nice! I enjoyed listening to this, even though I typically don't listen to much besides orchestral stuff.

	dougscar56 said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Beautiful Really nice! I enjoyed listening to this, even though I typically don't listen to much besides orchestral stuff.

	dougscar56 said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Beautiful Really nice! I enjoyed listening to this, even though I typically don't listen to much besides orchestral stuff.

	dougscar56 said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Beautiful Really nice! I enjoyed listening to this, even though I typically don't listen to much besides orchestral stuff.

	dougscar56 said 1135 days ago (September 30th, 2006)
	Beautiful Really nice! I enjoyed listening to this, even though I typically don't listen to much besides orchestral stuff.

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1131 days ago (October 4th, 2006)
	Good ... ... very glad you like it! --- <a href="http://thelostrecords.com/revolving-doris-artist.html">Revolving Doris: Imber</a> Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Cori Ander	Cori Ander said 1134 days ago (October 1st, 2006)
	Greatness Greatness of saing MUCH with little. Both the song and your performance! Can't thing of anyone more suited to do this than you Rebsie! Thank you for another wonderful peek into the past! Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1131 days ago (October 4th, 2006)
	:) Thank you Johannes ... your comments are always guaranteed to put a smile on my face. --- <a href="http://thelostrecords.com/revolving-doris-artist.html">Revolving Doris: Imber</a> Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1134 days ago (October 1st, 2006)

A fine, brave version...
...very well recorded...

I haven't heard one of yours in a long time... You have a more secure
sense of phrasing, time and pitch here and the delivery has an
authentic feel...

A cappella stuff is so amazing...the song's right there, and so are you,
and there's no place to hide...

Really nicely done.

Ed

Check out my latest song called After Loving Anne (w/jiguma, SISTERS, Komrade K and Scott Carmichael)

Rebsie

Rebsie said 1131 days ago (October 4th, 2006)

Thanks Ed ...
You're right, a cappella is a strangely intimate and exposed way of singing, and makes it impossible to get away with the small imperfections which usually get buried in the mix! It's not unlike running down the street with no clothes on (not that I've ever done that, you understand ... ) but it's also strangely captivating when you get it right.

---
<a href="http://thelostrecords.com/revolving-doris-artist.html">Revolving Doris: Imber</a>

Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Komrade K

Komrade K said 1134 days ago (October 1st, 2006)

Men are deceivers ever!
Simply beautiful - I've always thought there was a bit of the Shirley
Collins about your singing and it's very in evidence here. I'm a big fan
of the unadorned instrumental or vocal so well done you for going for
it and pulling it off with such aplomb.

KK

PS - I'm assuming that 'thyme' is taken to mean [prime] time as this is
what it seems to suggest (rather than loss of maidenhead) there's a
similar pun with 'rue' but I was wondering if I was barking up the
wrong tree and there's some symbolic significance in the herbs
themselves?

Check out my latest song called Borice

Rebsie

Rebsie said 1134 days ago (October 2nd, 2006)

Thanks for the lovely comment
Well, it's all a matter of personal interpretation, but yes, I assume it's a straightforward pun based on the double meanings of thyme/time and rue/regret. But if you're looking for deeper levels of symbolism, thyme was given as a token of fidelity in the middle ages (possibly because of its powerful preservative properties). Rue is an unpleasantly musty-smelling herb which can cause burns when handled.

---
<a href="http://thelostrecords.com/revolving-doris-artist.html">Revolving Doris: Imber</a>

Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

jgurner

jgurner said 1132 days ago (October 3rd, 2006)

Oh my!
I quit paying attention just for a minute (and the e-mail alerts quit
working) and there's no telling what I might miss. This is absolutely
wonderful, Rebsie. So forlorn yet beautiful. Nothing to cover up the sense
of sad inevitibility that can come along as the years pass away. You always
do such a wonderful in bringing these tunes back to life. No matter how
many years they have on them, you always make them sound wonderfully
fresh and new.

Check out my latest song called Feeling Good Today

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1077 days ago (November 27th, 2006)
	And you always make comments that put a smile on my face, Joe. Thanks! Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Feter	Feter said 1132 days ago (October 4th, 2006)
	very nice ! a real sweet song .. with such gentle voice wonderfull Rebsie !!!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1077 days ago (November 27th, 2006)
	Thank you I'm very glad you like it! Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

moorlandt

moorlandt said 1131 days ago (October 4th, 2006)

damned difficult
Damned difficult it is. Not to listen to, oh no, this is a feast to my ears. But I can imagine this is so hard to sing. The melodic pitch changes are not obvious, surely if on top of that there is no instrumental embellishment at all to refer to vocally. I know how painfully awful a naked voice can sound (speaking of my own experience now), but what I hear is a glee to all my senses. So wonderful, Rebsie, really much respect. One tiny quibble: I would have liked to hear the breath inhaling a little less. Probably it's just my personal preference for this kind of music style. But don't ask me how you should fix this :-) - Walter

Check out my latest song called boundaries

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1077 days ago (November 27th, 2006)
	Thanks Walter. I'm never sure whether or not to leave in the breathing noise because some people like it and others don't ... and as I have such a small voice I have to sing very close to the microphone, and it picks everything up! It's useful to have some feedback about it, anyway. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

theglareofday	theglareofday said 1129 days ago (October 6th, 2006)
	brave and wonderful.....a solo voice can be so enchanting when done right and you naled it here on this track.....elegant and forlorn....a really great moment here in the MJ world....thanks for sharing....peace Check out my latest song called Bobby Ray

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1077 days ago (November 27th, 2006)
	That's a lovely thing to say! Thank you. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

	howlatthemoon said 1128 days ago (October 7th, 2006)
	: ) May I just say that you have a wonderful voice.

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1077 days ago (November 27th, 2006)
	That's nice to know, cheers! Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

mvh9591	mvh9591 said 1120 days ago (October 15th, 2006)
	WOW I love this Rebsie. You have such a great voice. This a fav and D/L for sure. Thanks for the link at Carolines page that lead me here. Thanks for sharing. mvh : ) Check out my latest song called Maggie Rodriguez tribute

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1077 days ago (November 27th, 2006)
	Very pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

dwwave	dwwave said 1107 days ago (October 28th, 2006)
	Interesting and Wonderful Voice Rebsie, You continue to expose listeners to one your Wonderful Voice and also (being over in the States) Celtic and English Music. I have not heard a good(or very good I must say) A Capella song in some time Congrats on your excellent song dwwave Check out my latest song called One Half Person

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1077 days ago (November 27th, 2006)
	Yeah, a cappella is a bit scary for singers ... nothing to hide behind ... but I wanted to see whether people liked it and it's very encouraging to find that they do! Thanks. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

blaky smith	blaky smith said 1076 days ago (November 28th, 2006)
	Nice My language is limited and it's hard to write all my feelings, I have to go back school to learn ! But it's a very good place here and I'm enjoyed to listen to some tracks from you. I like your style and I just want to say that you have a wonderful voice... Marc Check out my latest song called Pigeon voyageur

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1076 days ago (November 28th, 2006)
	Thanks for your lovely comment Awww, thank you Marc, I really appreciate that. :) Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

lholden	lholden said 1075 days ago (November 29th, 2006)
	Lovely You are brave to try this and you pull it off very well. Singing a song like that all alone is difficult. It was so nice to listen to your lovely voice! Well done. Laurie Check out my latest song called Same Space (collab with jiguma)

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1075 days ago (November 29th, 2006)
	Thanks for listening, Laurie. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

eleveneyes	eleveneyes said 1074 days ago (November 30th, 2006)
	the ancestors... ...picked you because they knew you could deliver the goods! The acapella delivery adds a hauntingly prophetic element of experience and wisdom. wow! Check out my latest song called Here With You - Better MIX

davisamerica	davisamerica said 707 days ago (December 2nd, 2007)
	right then the ancestors shook out some wonderful music...still trying to catch up around here..your voice is lovely Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)

dirigent	dirigent said 625 days ago (February 22nd, 2008)
	just one word: Awesome !!! Check out my latest song called Autumn

LunaTrick	LunaTrick said 142 days ago (June 20th, 2009)
	So good... To revisit this a cappella version... although I heard it hundreds of times doing the orch version. No one does a cappellas quite like you do! Check out my latest song called Luna Gypsy Heart II (Eternal Firelight)

Fan List

Artist Info

Name: Rebsie Fairholm

NEW ALBUM "SEVEN STAR GREEN" NOW AVAILABLE! I'm a singer and musician (12-string guitar, celtic harp, etc) rooted in British traditional music and veering off into the psychedelic, dark, experimental and unusual. I'm very blessed to have... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

A cappella music is vocal music or singing without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. A cappella is Italian for from the chapel (music); the term is due to restrictions on the use of instruments in medieval c

More songs in A Cappella:

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