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I have a huge 'wish list' of traditional songs waiting for me (or kind collaborators) to come up with arrangements for them. But this isn't one of them. I've never sung it before. I just woke up this morning with the tune in my head, and it wouldn't leave me alone until I'd recorded it.
Folk song nerds may be interested to know that this is one of a great number of English melodies which is in both the Aeolian mode and the Dorian mode, as it lacks the sixth degree of the scale which would differentiate the two. Actually, I'm probably the only person on the planet who thinks that's interesting, but never mind. :)
There's no deep symbolism in the words ... it's a simple bog-standard pastoral love song. But somehow I found it incredibly difficult to sing it without crying.
© traditional, arranged by Rebsie Fairholm 2007
Folk song nerds may be interested to know that this is one of a great number of English melodies which is in both the Aeolian mode and the Dorian mode, as it lacks the sixth degree of the scale which would differentiate the two. Actually, I'm probably the only person on the planet who thinks that's interesting, but never mind. :)
There's no deep symbolism in the words ... it's a simple bog-standard pastoral love song. But somehow I found it incredibly difficult to sing it without crying.
© traditional, arranged by Rebsie Fairholm 2007
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Lyrics
As I walked out one May morning, one May morning betime
I met a maid from home had strayed just as the sun did shine
What makes you rise so soon my love, your journey to pursue?
Your pretty little feet they tread so neat, strike off the morning dew
I'm going to feed my father's flock, his young and tender lambs
That over hills and over dales lie waiting for their dams
O stay o stay you handsome maid and rest a moment here
For there is none but you alone that I do love so dear
How gloriously the sun doth shine, how pleasant is the air
I'd rather rest on my true love's breast than any other where
For I am thine and thou art mine, no man shall uncomfort thee
We'll join our hands in wedded banns and married we shall be
I met a maid from home had strayed just as the sun did shine
What makes you rise so soon my love, your journey to pursue?
Your pretty little feet they tread so neat, strike off the morning dew
I'm going to feed my father's flock, his young and tender lambs
That over hills and over dales lie waiting for their dams
O stay o stay you handsome maid and rest a moment here
For there is none but you alone that I do love so dear
How gloriously the sun doth shine, how pleasant is the air
I'd rather rest on my true love's breast than any other where
For I am thine and thou art mine, no man shall uncomfort thee
We'll join our hands in wedded banns and married we shall be
jiguma
... without Rode! The first thing that jumped out at me was the clarity of your production, quickly followed by the clarity of your voice. I'm a total sucker for these traditional songs, and love the way you approach this one. The keys and electric guitar work perfectly to support your increasingly amazing vocals.
Ummmm ..... I like it Rebsie ;)
Neil