a misty road unfolds round Coolin; a dirge of woe the banshee is croonin'

[timeripple]

Have transcribed another version of MacCrimmon's Lament. Have also transcribed


Watercresses
as sung by Margaret Christl, Jockey to the Fair

I am a dairy farmer, from Belveshire I came
To see some friends and relations, and Morgan is me name
If you will sit and listen, I’ll tell you without delay
How a pretty little damsel my attention called away
She promised she would marry me upon the first of May
And she left me with a bunch of watercresses.

It was on the first of April when I arrived in town
And being quite a stranger I rambled up and down
Till I lost meself entirely, I cannot tell you where
Twas a very quiet place near the corner of a square

When a neatly dressed young woman came walking up that way
As long as I remember, I shall never forget the day
She promised she would marry me upon the first of May
And she left me with a bunch of watercresses.

Politely I addressed her, and this to her did say
I want to go to Camberwell, can you direct the way?
O yes sir, o yes sir, she modestly replied
Take the turning to the left and then go down the other side

Her voice it was the sweetest that ever I did hear
Her hands were like the lily and so very white and clear
She had some early onions and a half a pint of beer
Some pickles and a bunch of watercresses.

I bowed to her and thanked her, I passed by her side
I thought how neatly she would look as a dairy farmer’s bride
I gathered my resolutions half in earnest, half in joke
I hinted matrimony, those are the very words I spoke

I’ve a farm of forty acres stocked with horses, cows, and geese,
Besides I have a dairy farm of butter, milk, and cheese,
My maiden, would ye marry me and be mistress of all these
And we’ll spend our days in loving watercresses.

Oh yes sir, oh yes sir, I’ll do it if you choose
You are so very generous I cannot you refuse
I’ve a wedding dress to buy and some little bills to pay
I handed her a sovereign her expenses to defray
She promised she would marry me upon the first of May
And she left me with a bunch of watercresses.

Next day a letter I received, I read it with surprise
Kind sir, for disappointing you I must apologize
But next time you ask a stranger into partnership for life
Be sure that she’s a maiden or a widow, not a wife.

I’ve a husband of me own and his name is Willie Gray
And when I can afford it well your sovereign I’ll repay
To think that I would marry you upon the first of May
Why you must have been as green as watercresses.


*snicker* That song amuses me so much.

In literary news, I have blazed through Robin McKinley's The Blue Sword, The Hero and the Crown, and Spindle's End, in that order. I am vastly impressed by her ability to write about horses as vital characters without undue sentiment and gooey-ness and with the sense that the book is a fantasy, not a "horse story" as such. I bet she grew up on the Black Stallion books (Walter Farley). I always liked the second one too. ;) The desertness, the mountain chieftains with secrets, not to mention the pretty, pretty horses! *happiness*

In other news, still thinking about horses, I love my own horse. Not thinking about horses, I'm working on an arrangement for Star of the County Down on fiddle using both tempos. Y'all can give me feedback when I get it figured out. Here's a hint: it involves Scarborough Fair in waltz time. *skips off to fiddle*

Comments

[satakieli.livejournal.com]

Waaaaaait. I thought Scarborough Fair was already in 3/4.

[satakieli.livejournal.com]

And the watercress song makes me grin a very silly and satisfied grin. I'm so happy you're enjoying Robin McKinley!

[timeripple.livejournal.com]

It is rather goofy, isn't it? And sharing the fabulousness of books with friends who appreciate said fabulousness is just... *happiness*, that's what.

[timeripple.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess that explains why it went into a waltz-y swing-y mood so easily, then. *grin* It doesn't sound so much like a waltz if you're singing it, but it's fun to emphasize the waltz-ness on the fiddle.