Aitchin Tan (When It Starts Raining)
Freda Black
April 2012
When it starts raining
the first thing in May
it’s tent rods and ridge poles
and all things to find
and now I have my pony
I’ve had him all day
please give me five shillings
and take him away
_
Apron Strings
Freda Black
August 2012
My apron strings won’t tie nor my gown won’t come to
I have a little wife at home in my own country
we sit and watch the flowers grow
and hear the nightingale sing
and said this fair maid now what shall I do?
my apron strings won’t tie nor my gown won’t come to
_
Barbara Allen
Freda Black
April 2012
In London town where I were born
I met three maidens a-dwelling
I picked one up for to be my bride
and her name it was Barbara Allen
Then mother dear, you make my bed
and make it long and narrow
if my true love were to die this day
then I will die tomorrow
so slowly she put on her clothes
so slowly she came a-walking
come walking through oh to my bedside
and says ‘young man, you’re dying’
now a dying man must you say I am
one kiss of yours it will cure me
not a kiss of mine you will never have
if your kind heart lay breaking
oh mother dear look under my bed
you’ll see a gold bowl standing
that’s full of tears that I shed this night
through the love of Barbara Allen
Barbara Allen
Freda Black
August 2012
In London town where I were born
I met a fair maid there a-dwelling
I picked one up for to be my bride
and her name it were Barbara Allen
now mother dear, who will make my bed
make it long and narrow
if my true love were to die this day
then I will die tomorrow
so slowly she puts on her clothes
and slowly she came a-walking
come walking through oh to my bedside
and says ‘young man, you’re dying’
‘now a dying man, must you say I am?
one kiss of yours it will cure me’
‘not a kiss of mine, you will never have
if your kind heart lay breaking’
oh mother dear, look under my bed
you’ll find a basin a-standing
that’s full of tears that I’ve shed this night
for the love of Barbara Allen
Allen, for the love of Barbara Allen.
_
Barley And The Rye – The Pied Straw
Freda Black
April 2012
There was an old farmer and he had a handsome wife
and he loved her he loved her just as dearly as he loved his life
and they often talked and tumbled early among barley and among the straw
so early next morning the old man he had rised
pulled a knife from his pocket to kill that man and his wife
she said ‘dear husband, do forgive me,
I never done the likes of this before,
but as my country fashions to play among the barley and among the straw’
_
Betsy The Milkmaid
Freda Black
August 2012
Pretty Betsy the milkmaid
pretty maiden got free
[the squire was after her]
and she left the squire bleeding
out in those open fields
do you want any milk?
said the milkmaid so fair
and she left the squire bleeding
out in those open fields
_
The Blackbird
Freda Black
August 2012
There upon the top rigging
I would build my nest
I’d sleep all night long on her lily white breast
and if I was a scholar
with my paper and pen
I’d write my love a letter
to journey’s end
there upon the top riggings
I’d feather my nest
and there I would sleep on her lily white breast
_
The Blacksmith
Freda Black
April 2012
Oh the blacksmith courted me
for nine months or better
with his hammer in his hand
he struck so clever
and he made those sparkles fly
all around my middle
so girls I shan’t pay for love
and young girls believe me
for once he won my heart
I wrote a letter
for good news is gonna break
bad news is coming
the blacksmith courted me
with his hammer in his hand
he struck so clever
and he made those sparkles fly
all around my middle
The Blacksmith
Freda Black
August 2012
Oh the blacksmith courted me
nine long months or better
with his hammer in his hand
he struck so clever
and he made those sparkles fly
all around my middle
now us girls, I shan’t die for love
all young girls, believe me
for at first he won my heart
he wrote me a letter
now good news has gone abroad
and bad news is carried
then she threw her arms abroad
for a sigh-fing[?] and a-crying
bad news is come at last
my first love is married
for you never believe in a man
not your own dear brother
as the blacksmith courted me
nine long months or better
with his hammer in his hand
he struck so mighty and clever
so us girls, I shan’t die for love
so young girls believe me
_
Bonny Bunch Of Roses Oh (The War Song)
Freda Black
April 2012
A young man sit on his mother’s knee
and he gripped his mother by the hand
said ‘mother, I’ll rise in the morning and I’ll soon be able to command’
she said, ‘son, don’t talk so venturesome
‘cos England is the heart of old
it’s from Ireland, then through Scotland, and the universe never have been broke’
so when he got near old Moscow[?] town
he was overpowered by the grieving snow
and Moscow[?] was a-blazing so he lost all his bonny bunch of roses, oh
Bonny Bunch Of Roses Oh
Freda Black
August 2012
His son he sits on his father’s knee
and he gripped his mother by the hand
saying ‘mother, I’ll rise in the morning
and I’ll soon be able to command’
‘Son, don’t talk so ‘venturesome
‘cos England is the heart of old
it’s from Ireland and through Scotland
so beware of the bonny bunch of roses’
so when he got near old Moscow town
he was overcome by the grieving snow
and Moscow was a-blazing so he lost
all his bonny bunch of roses oh
_
Bunch Of Thyme
Freda Black
August 2012
Once I had a bunch of thyme
I thought it never would decay
then along came a sailor
[hums]
it took my bunch of thyme away
for thyme it is a precious thing
and thyme brings all things to my mind
thyme with all its labours
and all along the way
and thyme brings all things to my mind
Bunch Of Thyme 2
Freda Black
August 2012
Once I had a blue eyed lover
and he thought the world of me
til one day he found another
then his thoughts were not of me
now I’m on my bed of sickness
now I’m on my bed of joy
now you see my smiling baby
that he’ll want me back some day
there’s only one thing that I pray for
that’s my coffin wide and deep
when I’m dead pray cut me open
then you’ll find my poor heart’s broke
_
Butcher Boy (fragments) [or Two Butchers?]
Freda Black
August 2012
There was a jolly butcher boy
all on one market day
they started away from London town
all on one market day
and as he were a-riding along
…
how come you here, dear woman?
how come you here, fast bound?
it was those three great straggling blades
that stripped me and bound me here
_
Can I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister?
Freda Black
April 2012
Can I sleep in your barn tonight mister?
it’s so cold lying out on the ground
for I have not a beck or no matches
and I’m sure I won’t do you no harm
now I have a sad story to tell you
that my sweet loving wife and my child
so what should I see was a letter
it was placed in a room on a stand
and on this note said the stranger
I’m only taking your wife and your child
for it’s true as the guards up in heaven
only know what that strange man had done
so can I sleep in your barn tonight mister?
as it’s too cold laying out on the ground
for I have not a beck or no matches
and I’m sure I won’t do you no harm
_
Carolina Moon
Freda Black
August 2012
Pining of the love to bring me back
maybe tonight she’ll come to the right window
and carry my love to have a ride with me
Carolina Moon, I’m pining
pining of the love that waits for you
tonight you’ll see through the right window
carry my love, have a ride with me
Carolina Moon, I’m pining
pining of the love where I want to be
_
The Cuckoo (fragment)
Freda Black
August 2012
Oh the cuckoo is a merry bird
she sings as she flies
and she brings us good tidings
and she tells us no lies
and every time she hollers cuckoo
the summer’s nearly nigh
The Cuckoo
Freda Black
August 2012
The cuckoo’s a merry bird
she sings as she flies
and she sucks all the little birds’ eggs
to make her voice so clear
and every time she hollers cuckoo
the summertime is here
_
Died For Love / Willow Tree / (My Love Was For A Sailor Boy)
Freda Black
August 2012
My love were for a sailor boy
who sailed the ocean deep and wide
I loved that sailor on the sea
He [I] loved him so but he didn’t love me
so dad, you dig my grave
and dig it deep
place a marble stone, head and feet
and a bunch of lilies at my head
to show the world I died for love
Died for Love
Freda Black
August 2012
A man came home from work one night
and he found his house without a light
he goes upstairs to go to bed
and a saddened thought came in his head
he go into his daughter’s room
saw her hanging from a beam
he got the knife and cut her down
and on her breast these words he found
my love were for a sailor boy
who sailed the ocean deep and wide
I loved that sailor on the sea
I loved him so but he didn’t love me
so father, father, dig my grave, dig my grave
and dig it wide and narrow
place a marble stone at head and feet
to show the world I died for love.
_
Farmer From Bridgwater
Freda Black
August 2012
There was a farmer who lived near Bridgwater
who had two sons and one daughter dear
not one fitting[?] to wed their sister
their sister she had mind to wed
now their court day will soon be ended
we’ll take him to a silent grave
all through those woods where they went riding
in the break of briars they killed him thrown
‘welcome home,’ replied the sister
‘but where is thou servant man?’
‘we soon lost sight and were never more seen
in the break of briars, we lost them seen.’
now three nights and days she laid a-dreaming
she dreamt her true love she saw
your brothers killed me, now weren’t they cruel
in a place that you may be able to find
now through those woods where she went riding
she heard a noise, a most dreadful groan
sure lie, sure lie, that’s my own true love there
in the break of briars they killed him thrown
she picks him up all in her bosom
and kissed his red and ruby lips
she kissed his lips now what were all dry-ed
they lays a bow[?] oh dear friend of mine
_
Farmer’s Boy
Freda Black
August 2012
To be a farmer’s boy
to be a farmer’s boy
now the farmer’s boy he said try the lad
no longer can I stay
for to reap and to mow and to plough and to sow
for to be a farmer’s boy
to be a farmer’s boy
[I don’t think that song’s all too old. It is old actually. Where would you hear that song, Freda? My parents used to sing it. You see, that’s a song I didn’t think the gypsies would’ve sung very often so that’s really brilliant that you sing it.]
The sun went down upon John’s hills
Xxx moors
so weary and lame a lad there came
up to the farmer’s door
I can plough I can sow I can reap I can mow
and to be a farmer’s boy
to be a farmer’s boy
now the farmer’s wife says try the lad
no longer can I stay
_
Galway Bay
Freda Black
April 2012
Oh one day I’ll take a trip to dear old Ireland
and it may be at the closing of my days
for to sit around a campfire in a cabin
and to watch the sun go down on Galway Bay
the people came, they tried to teach us their ways
they tried to teach us what they are
they might as well go chasing after moonbeams
or to light a penny candle from a star
now the breeze that goes across the seas to Ireland
and the farmers in the meadows making hay
and the women in the upland dig for praties [potatoes]
speak a language that the strangers do not know
so they came across the wayside into England
and they tried to teach us what they are
but they might as well go chasing after moonbeams
or to light a penny candle from a star
_
Green Bushes (fragment)
Freda Black
April 2012
It’s down again
those green old bushes
where he sings to meet me
I’ll never be like no silly girl
now to waste my time all in play
oh down by those green bushes
now it’s time to set free
_
Group Of Young Soldiers
Freda Black
April 2012
A group of young soldiers one night had a camp
were talking of sweethearts and wives
excepting one laddie with his heart full of grief
he looked downhearted[?] then said
‘what please young lads once you join the comrades’ they said
‘for surely there’s someone love you?’
he lifted his head and sadly he said
‘yes boys, I’m in love with two
one has hair silvery grey
the other’s hair are gold
and she’s young and beautiful
they are the two that I love
for they are the two that are dear to me
neither would one would I part
one is my mother god bless her I love her
and the other is my sweetheart’
Group of young soldiers
Freda Black
August 2012
A group of young soldiers one night had a camp
they were talking of sweethearts and wives
excepting one laddie with his heart full of pain
for he looked downhearted and sad
saying ‘boy, won’t you come and join your comrades,’ they said
‘surely there’s someone love you?’
he lifted his head and so sadly he said
‘yes boys, I’m in love with two.’
‘one has hair silvery grey and the other one are gold
they are one is beautiful
they are the two that I love
oh one is my mother, god bless her, I love her
and the other is my sweetheart.’
_
Horse Between Her Legs – Crafty Maids Policy (Now All You Young Gentlemen)
Freda Black
August 2012
Now all you young gentlemen that do go a-hunting
If you meet with a fair lass, please leave her alone
else she’ll have your horse and make you walk home
so these gentlemens went a-riding
and this young lady was standing stark naked
shivering with the cold
he said ‘I prayed this cold warning would do you some harm’
‘now if I had that thing that’s between your two knees, sir
I could do anything, I could keep myself warm’
‘if that’s what you pray for, my dear, you shall have it
when we gets to yonders green hill’
he got off of his horse and instantly she mounted it
and away she went galloping down the long lane
‘one of you gentlemens, lend me your horse, sir
so I may ride after her all down the long lane’
she looked behind and she saw him a-coming
she quickly loaded her pistol in hand
‘stand back, stand back or else I’ll swear and declare
swear and declare that you gave it to me’
_
How Old Are You, My Fair Pretty Maid?
Freda Black
August 2012
how old are you, my fair pretty maid?
how old are you, my honey?
for she had a dark and her roaming eyes
and her hair hung over her shoulders
with a roo-die-day-for-the-diddle-day-right-from-chicka-lairy
how old are you, my fair pretty maid?
how old are you, my honey?
I am seventeen come next Sunday
but you dare not let my mother know
with a roo-die-day-for-the-diddle-day-right-from-chicka-lairy
now her shoes are bright
and her buckle shines like silver
yes, she had a dark and a roaming eye
and I dare not let my mother know
with a roo-die-day-for-the-diddle-day-right-from-chicka-lairy
_
I Cannot See The One I’m Looking For
Freda Black
August 2012
Well the train comes speeded fast
homeward I am bound at last
but I cannot see that one I’m looking for
all my friends they gathered round
tears on every cheek I found
but I cannot see that one I’m looking for
when my mother pointed to a spot
little graveyard, little cot
where my [Julie?] she’s been gone for many years
_
I Had An Aged Father
Freda Black
August 2012
I had an aged old father
and he had no child but me
I used to roam for pleasure
just where my fancy lie
I met a handsome mistress
all on my journey there
she offered me great wages
to serve her for one year
her wages I accepted
as a hired man
so on my way to Horpen
I cursed that very day
then she asked me if I’d marry her
oh not even be my bride
saw the ring from off her finger
she slipped it in my pocket
and for it I must die
so with no one but Sally
your handsome chambermaid
so in the court six weeks after
Sally became the captain’s bride
[so the girl won. Centuries ago if you stole anything you get hung. So he thought he was going to be hung so he told the court I don’t love her, I love the chambermaid. So Sally spoke up for him and got him off. Wow, so he escaped? He escaped, she told him what she done. She took the ring off her finger as I was passing by…]
The ring from off her finger as I was passing by
she slipped it in my pocket
and for it I must die
so fare you well dear Sally
I’ll die for loving you
[so in the court six weeks after, Sally became the captain’s bride. He was a captain.]
_
Ivy On The House
Freda Black
August 2012
It’s like the ivy on the old garden wall
it clings so tightily that heavens may fall
when the baby grows older, we will teach her to talk
when the baby grows older love, we’ll teach her to walk
just like the ivy on the old garden wall
it clings so tightily that heavens may fall
_
The Jew’s Garden
Freda Black
April 2012
Two little boys come there to play
to play the football swings
they tossed the balls so very very high
tossed it high and low
they tossed it all in the Jew’s garden
where the Jew did lay down by.
Up steps one of the Jew’s daughters
come slowly walking down
said ‘come over here, my fair pretty boy
and you shall have your ball’
‘no, thank you, my fair pretty lady
my playmate is not well’
so she showed him apples and she showed him pears
and at last she ‘ticed him in.
she lied him on an old oak chest
and gave him sugar sweets
yes, she led [laid] him on that old, old chest
and stabbed him like some sheep
[spoken] and he said if my mother was to pass by her
pray tell her I’m asleep
_
The Jews’ Garden
Freda Black
August 2012
two little boys came out to play
to play the football swing
they tossed this ball so very, very high
they tossed it high and low
they tossed it over in the Jew’s garden
where the Jews did lay down by
now up steps one of the Jew’s daughters
come slowly walking down
saying ‘come over here, my fair pretty boy
and you shall have your ball’
‘no thank you, my fair pretty lady,
my playmate is not well’
and she showed him apples and she showed him pears
and at last she’s ‘ticed him in
she lied him on an old oak chest
and she gave him sugar sweets
yes, she lied him on that old oak chest
and she stabbed him like some sheep
he said ‘if my mother were to pass by here
pray tell her I’m asleep’
_
Lady Maisery (They Sent Nine Robbers)
Freda Black
April 2012
Well they sent nine robbers
all in one night
to kill my baby what had just been born
they left me nothing to wrap her in
but a linen sheet that my love died on
Now father, father, come build me a boat
so I may sail on the ocean float
and every vessel what did come by
she made enquires for a William boy
now what colour eyes did your true love had?
they’re royal blue and his heart were true
well I think he’s drownded, great is my fear
[ends]
_
Lady Maisery / Father Father / Sent Nine Robbers
Freda Black
August 2012
well they sent nine robbers
all in one night
to kill my baby
what had just been born
and they left me nothing
to wrap her in
but a linen sheet
that my love died on
so father, father,
come build me a boat
so I may sail on the ocean float
and every vessel what did come near
there she enquired for her sailor boy
so captain, captain,
come tell me true
is my sweet William
aboard your crew?
now what colour eyes
did your true love have?
they were royal blue
and his heart were true
so I think he is drownded
great is my fear
so away she went
in yonders deep
and fell fast asleep
in her true love’s arms
so I done my best
to let no one know
that I courted the sailor, my laddio
_
Letter Etched In Black
Freda Black
August 2012
Saw the postman coming up the pathway
he smiled and took a letter from his pack
what little he knew the sorrows that he brought me
when he hand to me this letter etched in black
my hands trembled as I took the letter from him
my hands trembled as I unbroke the seal
it says come home my boy, your dear old mother wants you
come home my boy your dear old mother’s dead
last few words your mother ever ordered
tell my boy I want him to come home
for my eyes are blurred, my poor heart is aching
while I’m writing you this letter edged in black
those angry words, I wished I’d never spoke them
you know I didn’t mean them, don’t you just?
but may the angel up above willing me asking
but your forgiveness in the letter edged in black
_
Lough Sheelin Side
Freda Black
April 2012
oh fare ye well, auld Ireland
and Eileen too
such bitter had me oh no song can tell
where I met Eileen oh my fair Colleen
she were my only love, my love true in sight
now it were in winter, when the snow fell down
she fell in to her true love’s arms and died
not a tear were shed for my fair Colleen
in her lonely grave by Lough Sheelin Side
when fond memories come, my mind goes mad
fond tears roll down and my heart it grows sad
when I think of Eileen, my fair young bride
in her lonely grave by Lough Sheelin Side
so fare ye well, auld Ireland, and Eileen too
my boat is ready, sure I’m leaving you
and where I roam to, my salts may guide
back to Eileen’s grave by Lough Sheelin Side
_
Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts
Freda Black
August 2012
well a-ball-a-ball-a-pitch-a-penny-a-pitch
I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts
here they are standing by you
and every ball you throw will make you rich
big balls, small balls, balls as big as your head
give them a twist around your wrist, that’s what the showman said
Oh I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts
and every ball you throw will make you rich
big balls, small balls, balls as big as your head
give them a flick, a flick of your wrist, and swing them round your head
Oh I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts
here they are all standing in a row
here comes me wife, she’s me darling of me life
well a ball-a-ball-a-penny-a-pitch
_
McCaffery (As I Were Out On Guard One Day)
Freda Black
August 2012
As I were out on guard one day
three officers children come there to play
I took one’s name out of the three
it was Ellerkin Marshall
and Kaisey by name
I done the deed, I spilt the blood
_
Meet Me Tonight In The Moonlight
Freda Black
April 2012
Would you meet me tonight in the moonlight?
will you meet me tonight all alone?
with the cold prison bars will be surround me
might a stone for a pillow in store
for I have a grand story to tell you
that’s a story that’s never been told
for I have a grand ship on the ocean
and that’s line-ded with silver and gold
but before my poor darling will suffer
that ship will be anchored and sold
_
Meet Me Tonight In The Moonlight
Freda Black
August 2012
I’ll be carried to the new jail tomorrow
and I’ll be leaving my darling behind
but before my poor darling will suffer
my ship will be anchored and sold
so would you meet me tonight in the moonlight?
would you meet me tonight all alone?
with the cold prison bars surround me
and my headstone for a pillow instead
for I have a grand ship on the ocean
and it’s lineded with silver and gold
and before my poor darling will suffer
that ship will be anchored and sold
_
The Moon Shines Bright (1)
Freda Black
August 2012
Oh the moon shines bright
and the stars gave a light
and little more for a year
for our dear savior died on a cross
and he begged us to wait and pray
await, await, good people wait
on this Christmas holiday
for it might be better for your own poor soul
when your body lays under cold clay
_
The Moon Shines Bright (2)
Freda Black
August 2012
Oh the moon shines bright
and the stars gave a light
and the little before I knew
for our savior he died on a cross
and he begged us to wait and pray
await, await, good people wait
on a Christmas holiday
for it might be better for your own poor soul
when your body lay under cold clay
_
Mother Dear
Freda Black
August 2012
Father, he’s been married twice
and a stepmother he brought home to me
you need not smile as I cry
every time I mentions mother dear
my father he came home while late one night
and he brought a stepmother home to me
she used to whip me and beat me on the floor
every time I mentions mother dear
so one evening I went for a stroll
oh, down by that riverside
those sparkly tears rolled down my cheeks
every time I mentions mother dear
so all you lassies go[?] a mother dear
do all you can to cause no pain
and you need not smile because I cry
every time I mentions mother dear
_
Nobody’s Child (with talking before)
Freda Black
August 2012
There’s another song, too, that was very popular. If ever you sang it to anybody, it was about the little boy in the orphanage. People come for children, take them before they’re old. They all pass me by and I am left alone. I know they’d like to take me but when they say I’m blind, they often take another child and I am left behind.
I’m nobody’s child
nobody wants me
I’m nobody’s child
people come for children and
take them before they’re old
but they all seem to pass me by
and I’m left alone
I know they’d like to take me
but when they see I’m blind
they often take some other child
and I am left behind
I’m nobody’s child
I’m nobody’s child
I’m like a flower just growing wild
one day I’ll walk the heavens
there’ll be a home for me
and just like all the other kids
there’ll be a home for me
_
The Nightingale
Freda Black
August 2012
And they xxx comforting as they come to each other
they went on down the road like sister and brother
…as they clung to each other
and if ever I return again it will be in the spring
for to sit and watch the flowers grow and hear the nightingale sing
and they kissed so comfortably as they clung to each other
they went on down the road like sister and brother
and if ever I return again it will be in the spring
for to sit and watch the flowers grow and hear the nightingale sing
[spoken] I’ve got a little wife at home in my own country
_
Old Tin Can
Freda Black
August 2012
Oh the can that she piddled in
she cooked a hock of bacon in
the same old can
in the XX upstairs
I would make you say your prayers
I would drop a little XX in your old tin can
_
Once I Had A Blue Eyed Lover 2
Freda Black
August 2012
Once I had a blue eyed lover
and he thought the world of me
til one day he found another
then his thoughts were not of me
now I’m on my bed of sickness
now I’m on my bed of joy
now you see my smiling baby
that he’ll want me back some day
there’s only one thing that I crave for
that’s my coffin wide and deep
when I’m dead pray cut me open
then you’ll find my poor heart’s broke
Once I Had A Blue Eyed Lover
Freda Black
August 2012
my love were for a sailor boy
that sailed the ocean deep and wide
I loved that sailor on the sea
I loved him so but he didn’t love me
[spoken: so goodbye father, goodbye mother
goodbye to that one I love]
goodbye to that one I love
goodbye to that other sweetheart
that calls me to my heaven[?]
now I’m on my bed of sickness
now I’m on my bed at last
looking through my bedroom window
looking for my blue eyed boy
there’s only one thing that I crave for
that’s my coffin wide and deep
when I’m dead pray cut me open
and then you’ll find my heart’s broke
_
Over Yonders Hill
Freda Black
April 2012
I wish the Christ my baby was born
to sit smiling on his own daddy’s knee
and I wish I could find that prayer I were told
that would ease my mind better than all the world.
So goodbye mother, goodbye father
goodbye to my native friends
and goodbye to that [de]ceitful lover
what have caused me to my end.
Over Yonders Hill
Freda Black
August 2012
there is a little house of yonders hill
with my love and me goes and sits ourselves down
he takes another strange girl on his knee
but don’t you think that’s a grief to me?
oh grief oh grief I’ll tell you for why
because that other girl’s got more golden eyes
but the gold shall waste and the glitter shall fly
and nine months’ time she’ll be cut down like me
so I’ve left my mother, I’ve left my father
I’ve left my sisters and brother, too
I left my friends, my kind relations
I’ve left them all for to roam with you
_
The Pied Straw – The Barley Straw
Freda Black
August 2012
there was an old farmer and he had a handsome wife
and another man loved her just as dearly as he loved his life
and they often talked and tumbling among the barley and among the straw
and they often tossed and tumbling among the barley and among the straw
so early next morning the old man he had rised
pulled a knife from his pocket to kill that man and his wife
she says ‘husband, do forgive me, I never done the likes of this before
but it’s my country fashion to play among the barley and among the straw’
_
Pub With No Beer
Freda Black
April 2012
he hurries to the kitchen
she says ‘why hurry my dear?’
and he breaks down and tells her
the pub’s got no beer
so it’s a long sum away from your kindred and all
There’s a dog on the veranda, for his master he waits
while his master’s inside, drinking wine with his mates
and he hurries for cover and he cringes in fear
it’s no place for a dog, round a pub with no beer.
_
Rosemary Lane
Freda Black
August 2012
There once lived a servant down Rosemary Lane
who kept the good will boys for her master in vain
along came a young sailor for lodgings to lease[?]
and his head it were aching and his kind heart lay breaking
and he asked for a flannel to bind up his head in
and he asked for a candle for to light him to bed
and she bound his head easy like she used for to do
and that were the beginning yes, of her misery
in the middle of the night the young sailor had wake
saying jump into bed love, you will keep yourself warm
being like some silly girl she thought it none
and she jumped in beside him for to keep herself warm
and what they done there, no tongue will not tell
and they wished that short night had been seven long years
he said if it is a girl love, she will sit all at her knees
and if it is a boy love, he will plough the salt seas
with his high quarter[?] boots on, checked shirt and the ridges
he’ll join on the deck like his daddy so bold
with his hands unto his pockets
pulls out handfuls of gold
saying ‘take this, my jewel
and some more you shall have and you’ll be my own true love just as long as we live’
_
Sailor Cut Down In His Prime
Freda Black
August 2012
There was a young sailor
whose money they squandered
there goes a young sailor
cut down in his prime
so beat up the drum, boys
and play the dead marches
they played the dead marches
they carried him along
and in was his coffin were
handfuls of roses
so no one could smell him
as they passed him by
[that’s because he went with a bad wound and they had to put the roses in to take the smell away.
He was rotten!]
_
Seventeen Come Sunday (fragments)
Freda Black
April 2012
With her dark and roaming eyes
and the hair round over her shoulders
with me-roo-die-day-for-the-diddle-day
right-from-chica-lairy
for her shoes were bright and buckles shine like silver
she had a dark and her roaming eyes
and her hair hung over her shoulders
with me-roo-die-day-for-the-diddle-day
right-from-chicalairy
_
Single Sailor (The Broken Token)
Freda Black
April 2012
As I went walking one bright May morning
viewing the meadows, taking me air
[I spied a fair young woman]
and she appeared to me like the rising sun
I stepped up to her, thinking to view her
she not knowing me as she pass me by
so I stepped up to her, thinking to view her
and I says my fair lass, can you fancy I?
to fancy you, you’re some man of honour
some man of honour, you appears to be
how could you expire[?] on a poor young woman
what is not more fitting for thy servant maid
well if you’re not fit now to be my servant
then I have greater regards for thee
I will marry you and make you my lady
and you shall have servants to wait on you
oh no, kind sir, I have a sweetheart a-waiting
seven long years he’s been gone from me
and if I should wait for him seven years longer
then my true love may return to me
he said I am your young and your single sailor
what has just returned from the raving sea
she said if you are my young and my single sailor
show to me that token we broke in two
show to me that ring that we broke between us
and that would prove to me oh yourself sincere
he puts his hand all in his pocket
his fingers were so long and thin
showed to her that ring that they broke between them
and then upon the ground she did fall
he picks her up all in his bosom
and gave her kisses by two and three
singing I am your young and your single sailor
what has just returned from the raving sea
_
Speaking about Maria and the red barn song
Freda Black
August 2012
Maria and lovely Caroline were murdered by Swiftling John. Her mother said ‘I don’t think it’s safe for you to go with that young man alone, you must take your sister Maria.’ He had the barn waiting for them and he was supposed to have killed them and buried them under the floor. And the father had a serious dream. He dreamed in three nights run. His daughter’s body laid lingering under the floorboards of this old barn. So he rode onto the red barn and up the floors did flash. He found his daughter’s body lingering among the dust.
So all you people that do pass by
please take pity on the killing of Maria Marten
and there I dug the grave
_
Speaking about wounded bird in a cage
Freda Black
August 2012
It’s a very young girl. She has five shillings to go to the market. And when she went on her way, she found a little bird and he was wounded. So she picked him up and spent her money on a little cage and some seed. She went on home and on her way, she went in church. A voice came to her in church and said ‘now lassie, what makes you come here, in church?’ It was Christmastime. She couldn’t find who was saying it, the voice was coming from the church. It asked her what she wanted. She said ‘well, sir, it’s the bird in the cage. I’m trying to make him better.’ So he said ‘open the cage door’ and she opened the cage and the bird flew up in the rafters and it starts singing. All the pretty tunes come to her and all the presents were give to her in church, but I don’t know who give them to her. It’s singing the song while Jesus was there, but she couldn’t see what the voice was or who it was. And the bird flew up in the rafters.
_
Story about Cartwheel Snake
Freda Black
April 2012
I see them, they go past you like a press train. Some of them you can’t see. My Freda see one, didn’t she? That’s the way we got talking about it. He put his tail in his mouth and he goes by like the wind. Believe it or not, when I was a young girl, I worked for this man on his farm. He was named Major Willy, he was a religious man. I was doing sugarbeet out in the field, as that’s what travellers done working the fields and that, and I was doing this sugarbeet and one went right by me. I couldn’t see it, only felt it. And then my cousin see one; she was doing washing on the punchbowl. She had one come right by her when she was doing washing. [so you feel it, rather than see it? Too fast to see?] I see one, my Freda see one. And so did my cousin. But some of them I see some that I couldn’t see. I was doing sugarbeet and something came like a press train by me and it was just like the wind going by me, don’t you know? They’re so fast, they are. And they said there’s only one adder in this country but there’s three adders. There’s one – if you look in the dictionary, you’ll see this because we looked it up ‘cos we couldn’t understand it – he’s got a head like a fountain pen. And he gets up in fuzz [firs?] bushes in the sandy ground. If you walk by on a path by the fuzz bushes and he’s there, hell lay awake, lay awake, until you comes by and then fly straight for your neck, and kill you straight out. And that’s in this country ‘cos a woman see one and she told me.
_
Take These Chains
Freda Black
August 2012
Take these chains from my heart and set me free
you’re grown old and no longer care for me
all your faith in you is gone
only heartaches lingers on
take these chains from my heart and set me free
give my heart just a word of sympathy
you be as fair to my heart as you can be
for if you no longer care for the love that’s beating there
take these chains from my heart and set me free
_
There Was A Rich Farmer (fragments)
Freda Black
August 2012
There was a rich farmer in Chester[?]
who bidded his daughter months ago
for she’s never been on the highway
but the rogues they have done her no harm
so she got her grey mare from the stable
well she puts her left foot in the stirrup
and she mounted her horse like a man
saying ‘father, I’ve been in such danger
but the rogues they haven’t done me no harm’
so she puts the white sheet on the floor
and counted her money twice over
she had a thousand guineas of gold
…
she puts her left foot in the stirrup
she mounted her horse like a man
over hedges and ditches she galloped
now robbers you catch me if you can
so she got to the reach of her father’s farm
she shouted all over the farm
saying ‘father, I’ve been in such danger
but the rogues they didn’t do me no harm’
then she puts the white sheet on the floor
and counted her money twice over
she counted her money twice over
she had a thousand guineas or more
_
Unknown poem
Freda Black
April 2012
I believe in God above
created you for me to love
he picked you out from all the rest
because he knew I loved you best
I had a heart that once were true
now it’s passed from me to you
so care for it as I have done
‘cos you have two and I have none
If I go to heaven and you’re not there
I’ll paint your name on every stair
so all the angels there could see
how much you really mean to me.
_
Unknown song (I Had A Quarrel With My Father)
Freda Black
April 2012
I had a quarrel with my father
he called me a drunkard and a gambler
you’re not fit to be called a son
so I packs all my things in a bundle
I went to wish mother goodbye
she says stay by my side, do not leave me
that’s more than my heart can bear
so she kissed me, she called me her darling
around me her arms she did throw
I’ll never forget that sad moment
when I says mother dear I must go
so I’m riding along in a free train
bound for nobody knows where
I’ve only just left home this morning
my heart is heavy with care
_
Unknown song (I Was Ploughing The Fields)
Freda Black
April 2012
I was ploughing the fields like the old men of old
and it started to rain and I caught a bad cold
I went to my bedside and when I undressed
three lovely nurses come rooping my chest
with the violets they’re blue
and roses they’re red
the young pretty darlings was carefully spread
I peeped through the clothesline and soon me-self said
oh violets they’re blue
and roses they’re red
_
Unknown song (Sing Me Back Home)
Freda Black
August 2012
Sing me back home before I die
I recall that Sunday morning
a quiet of all the streets[?]
he came in to sing a few old gospel songs
all I heard the singer
let me sing it one more time
let me sing this one more time before I die
let me sing me back home
the song my mother sang
make my old memories come alive
take me back home and turn back the years
sing me back home before I die
_
Unknown song (You’ll Sit And Cry)
Freda Black
August 2012
you’ll sit and cry
the way I do
but your cheating heart
will tell on you
you’ll walk the floor
the way I do
you’ll sit and cry
and cry to sleep
but sleep won’t come
the way you do
your cheating heart
will tell on you
_
The Wager
Freda Black
April 2012
I’ll bet you five and twenty pounds to one
that a maiden you don’t go
to the bonny bunch of hills
and a maiden too return tae home to me
so she went and that she came
just three pounds she walked round the bottom of his street
nine times she walked three times around his head
it were to let him know that if he had a-been awake
that his true love’s been here but she’s gone
why didn’t you waken me, my greyhound faithful dog?
why hadn’t you woken me afore?
for she I would have killed and her blood I would have spilled
and all those little birds would have their fill
_
The Wager
Freda Black
August 2012
I bet you five and twenty pounds to one
that a maiden you don’t go to the bonny bonny hills
and a maiden to return safe home to me
so she walk round her lover
[spoken: every time she walked round his head]
and she placed the ring off her middle finger
and she placed it on her true love’s right hand
just to let him know that if he had a-been awake
that his true love’s been here but she’s gone
so why didn’t you waken me, my greyhound faithful dog?
why hadn’t you waked me before?
it’s she I would’ve killed and her blood I would’ve spilled
and all those little birds would’ve had their fill
_
Willie Leonard (fragments)
Freda Black
April 2012
Young Leonard went a-swimming
in the lakes of Cold Stream
so the first man he met was a keeper
was a keeper of game
he swam around those islands
and he swam back again
and it’s deep in false water
in the bottom he goes
so the mother to the daughter
I’ve had a sad dream
I dreamt my brother Leonard were drownded
in the lakes of Cold Stream
were there anyone near him?
were there anyone by?
for to spare the life of my poor darling boy
there was no one near him
there was no one by
for to spare the life of your poor darling boy
now it’s early next morning
you were seen a grand sight
there be four and twenty Irish girls
there’ll be dressed in all their white
and they’ll take him to St Giles’
and they’ll lay him in cold clay
saying there’s a due to young Leonard
and they’ll march away
_
Wings Of A Swallow (fragment)
Freda Black
August 2012
If I had the wings of a swallow
over those prison bars I would fly
I would fly in the arms of my darling
and there I’ll be willing to die
would you meet me tonight in the moonlight?
would you meet me tonight all alone?
with these cold prison bars surround me
and a stone for a pillow instead
_
Young And Single Sailor
Freda Black
August 2012
As I went walking
one bright May morning
viewing the meadows and taking the air
and who should I meet, was a fine young lady
and she appeared to me like the rising sun
I stepped up to her, thinking to view her
not knowing me as she passed me by
I stepped up to her, thinking to view her
and I says young lassie could you fancy I?
to fancy you, you’re some man of honour
some man of honour you appears to be
how could you expire on a poor young woman,
what is not more fitting for thy servant maid?
well if you’re not fit in to be my servant
then I have greater regards for thee
I will marry you and make you my lady
and you shall have servants to wait on you
oh no, kind sir, I have a sweetheart a-waiting
seven long years he’s been gone from me
and if he’s alive I do love him dearly
and if he is dead he is in glory crowned
he says I am your young and single sailor
what have just returned from the raving sea
well if you’re my young and my single sailor
show to me that token I gave to thee
show to me that ring that we broke between us
and that would prove to me yourself sincere
he put his hand all in his pocket
his fingers it were so long and thin
gave to me that ring that we broke between us
and then upon the ground she did fall
he picks her up all in his bosom
and gave her kisses by two and three
saying I am your young and your single sailor
what have just returned from the raving sea
_
Young Leonard
Freda Black
August 2012
The first man he met were a keeper of game
so he swam around those islands
and he swam back again
all in deep and false waters
in the bottom he goes
said the daughter to the mother
I’ve had a sad dream
I dreamt my brother Leonard were drownded
in the lakes of Cold Stream
were there anyone near him?
were they anyone by?
oh to spare the life of my poor darling boy?
no, there were no one near him
there were no one by
oh to spare the life of your poor darling boy
now it’s early next morning
you would see a grand sight
there’ll be four and twenty Irish girls
they’ll be dressed in all their white
and they’ll take him to St Giles’
and they’ll lay him in cold clay
there’s a due to young Leonard
and they’ll marched away