Kate Rusby Album

"What's the matter with you, me lass, and where's your dashing Jimmy?"
"Them soldier boys have picked him up and taken him far from me
Last pay-day he went into town and them red-coated fellows,
Enticed him in and made him drunk, and he'd better gone to the gallows.

The very sight of his cockade, it sets us all a-cryin', And me, I nearly fainted twice - I thought that I was dyin'
Me father said he'd pay the smart and he'd run for the Golden Guinea,
But the sergeant swore he'd kissed the book, so now they've got young Jimmy.

When Jimmy talks about the wars, it's worse than death to hear him.
I must go out and hide me tears, because I cannot bear him.
A Brigadier or a Grenadier he says they're sure to make him,
So now he jibes and cracks his jokes and bids me not forsake him.

As I walked o'er yon stubbled field - below where runs the seam,
I think on Jimmy hewing there, but it was all a dream.
He hewed the very coils we burn, so when this fire I'm leetin',
To think the lumps was in his hands - it sets me heart a-beating'.

So break me heart and then it's o'er, oh break me heart, me dearie,
As I lie in this cold, cold bed, of a single life I'm weary."

A bold young farmer courted me
He gained my heart and liberty
He gained my heart and good free will
I must confessI love him still
I must confess I love him still

I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
I wish I was a maid again
A maid again I ne'er shall be
For that young farmer lay with me.

There is a house in yonder town
Where my love goes and sits him down
He takes a strange girl on his knee
He tells her things he won't tell me
He tells her things he won't tell me

Chorus

There is a bird in yonder tree
Some say he's blind and cannot see
I wish it was the same with me
When first I met your company
When first I met your company

Chorus

I wish my little babe was born
And I poor girl was dead and gone
And then from love I will be free
With green grass growing over me
With green grass growing over me

Chorus

A bold young farmer courted me
He gained my heart and liberty
He gained my heart and good free will
I must confess I love him still
I must confess I love him still

Chorus

Although I once feared I'd be lonely
Although I once feared I'd be down
Although you once cradled me only
Just look at me over you now Just look at me over you now

Although I once slept by you soundly
Now awake and alone I lay down
Although my heart grieved for you loudly
Just look at me over you now Just look at me over you now

As I followed you I was learning
But my heavy heart slowed me down
It felt like my whole world was burning
But look at me over you now
Oh look at me over you now
Oh look at me over you now
I hope that I'm over you now

I once was a sailor, a young man and brave
Da da dum, da da dum dee
My nights were once sleepless,
My peace I would crave
Carry me home to the sea

Da da dum day, da da dum dee
Drift away sailor boys on the deep sea
Worry no more for you're safe now with me
Rest in my arms and my sweet melody

One night as I'm stood on the deck in the rain
Da da dum, da da dum dee
I heard a sweet voice and she's singing my name
Carry me back to the sea

Chorus
Oh rock me so gently now ocean so deep
Da da dum, da da dum dee
I wish I was back, cause I think I can't sleep
Carry me home to the sea

Chorus

Billy's fair and Billy's rare
And Billy's wondrous bonny
And Billy promised to marry me
If e'er he'd marry any
And Billy promised to marry me
If e'er he'd marry any

Late last night I'm in my bed
Waiting on my lover
And there I waited all night long
My heart won't take another
Oh there I waited all night long
My heart won't take another

Came you by yon water side
Past the rose and lily
Or came you by yon meadow green
Or saw you my sweet Billy
Or came you by yon meadow green
Or saw you my sweet Billy

She's sought him east
And she's sought him west
She sought him broad and narrow
She shought him in another's arms
The fairest of all Yarrow
She shought him in another's arms
The fairest of all Yarrow

I wonder what is keeping my true love this night
I wonder what is keeping him out of my sight
I wonder if he knows of the pain I endure
And stays from me this night I'm not sure

Oh love are you coming your cause to advance
Or yet are you waiting for a far far better chance
Are you coming for to tell me you've a new love in store
Or are you coming for to tell me you love me no more

For I can love lightly and I can love strong
I can love the old love till the new love comes on
I only said I loved you for to give your heart ease
And when I'm not with you I'll love whom I please

There's gold in my pocket and pain in my heart
For I can't love a man with too many sweethearts
You're my first and only false love but it's lately I knew
That the stronger I loved you the falser you grew

The spring grass grows the greenest and spring water runs clear
I'm sorry and tormented for the love of my dear
Your love it lies so lightly as the dew on the thorn
That's there in the evening and away with the dawn

A lady was walking on a midsummer's day
The birds they were whistling so merrily and gay
When along came a white steed in the finest array
And it carried a young man these words he did say

Come live by the great moon
That rules the strong tide
Climb up on my horse love
And be my sweet bride

I bid you good morning, this young man did say
And where might you be going on such a nice day
I'm walking to view sir the bonny blue sea
For it's all I have left now that means much to me

Chorus
If that's all you love now, come riding with me
You'll live in my castle deep under the sea
You'll sleep in my gold bed, my fine silken sheets
And have gifts of great beauty from all that you meet

Chorus
She's up in the saddle and away they did ride
The horse skipped and danced over waves on the tide
Now she's only remembered by this story I tell
From an old man on horseback who once knew her well

No sheep on the mountain nor boat on the lake
No coin in my coffer to keep me awake
Nor corn in my garner, nor fruit on my tree,
Yet the Maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me.

No sheep on the mountain nor goats,
No horses to offer nor boats,
Only hens I have by me,
they are one, two and three,
Yet the Maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me.

Rich Owen will tell you, with eyes full of scorn,
Threadbare is my coat and my hosen are torn.
Scoff on, my rich Owen,
for faint is thy glee
When the Maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me.

CHORUS

The farmer rides proudly to market and fair
Whilst the clerk at the ale house still claims the great chair,
But of all our proud fellows, oh the proudest I'll be,
When the Maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me.

CHORUS

Did you ever see the wild goose sailing on the ocean
Ranzo my boys oh Ranzo Ray
They're just like them pretty girls when they get the notion
Ranzo my boys oh Ranzo Ray

Chorus
Ranzo you'll rue the day
As the wild goose sails away

As I was walking one evening by the river
Ranzo my boys oh Ranzo Ray
I met with a pretty girl my heart it was a quiver
Ranzo my boys oh Ranzo Ray

(Chorus x 2)

I said how are you doing this morning
Ranzo my boys oh Ranzo Ray
She said none the better for the seeing of you
Ranzo my boys oh Ranzo Ray

(Chorus x 2)

You broke my heart oh you broke it full sore o'
Ranzo my boys oh Ranzo Ray
If I sail like the wild goose
you'll break it no more o'
Ranzo my boys oh Ranzo Ray

(Chorus x 2)

Sir Eglamore was a valiant knight,
fa la lanky down dilly,
He took up his sword and he went to fight,
fa la lanky down dilly.
As he rode o'er hill and dale,
All armored in a coat of mail,
Fa la la-n-fa, da-n-da da-n-fa, lanky down dilly.

Out came a dragon from her den,
fa la lanky down dilly,
That killed God knows how many men,
fa la lanky down dilly.
When she saw Sir Eglamore,
You should have hear that dragon roar
Fa la la-n-fa, da-n-da da-n-fa, lanky down dilly.

Well, then the trees began to shake,
fa la lanky down dilly,
Horse did tremble and man did quake,
fa la lanky down dilly.
The birds betook them all to peep,
it would have made a grown man weep,
Fa la la-n-fa, da-n-da da-n-fa, lanky down dilly.

But all in vain it was to fear,
fa la lanky down dilly,
For now they fall to fight like bears,
fa la lanky down dilly.
To it they go and soundly fight,
the live-long day from more 'till night,
Fa la la-n-fa, da-n-da da-n-fa, lanky down dilly.

This dragon had a plaguey hide,
fa la lanky down dilly,
That could the sharpest steel abide,
fa la lanky down dilly.
No sword could enter through her skin,
Which vexed the knight and made her grin,
Fa la la-n-fa, da-n-da da-n-fa, lanky down dilly.

But as in choler she did burn,
fa la lanky down dilly,
He fetched the dragon a great good turn,
fa la lanky down dilly,
As a yawning she did fall,
he thrust his sword up, hilt and all,
Fa la la-n-fa, da-n-da da-n-fa, lanky down dilly.

Like a coward she did fly,
fa la lanky down dilly.
To her den which was hard by,
fa la lanky down dilly,
There she lay all night and roared,
the knight was sorry for his sword,
Fa la la-n-fa, da-n-da da-n-fa, lanky down dilly

I must away love, no longer tarry,
This roaring tempest I have to cross
I must be guided without a stumble
Into the arms I love the best.

And when he came up to his true-love's dwelling
He's knelt down gently upon the stone
And through the window he's whispered soft
Is my true-lover within at home?

She's raised her up from off her pillow
She's raised her up from off her bed
And through the window she's whispered soft
Who's that disturbeth my own night's rest?

Wake up, wake up, love, it's your own true-love
Wake up, wake up, love, and let me in.
Oh how the wind blows and how it rains,
Oh I am wet, love, unto the skin.

She's raised her up from off her pillow
She's raised her up and let him in.
They were locked in each other's arms
Until the long night was past and o'er.

And when the long night was passed and o'er
Oh when the dawn clouds the did divide.
He's leaned down gently and kissed her soft.
He's saddled up and away did ride.

He mounted up on his horse and away did ride.
He's mounted up on his horse and away did ride

There was a farm on yonder hill, up where the wind it blows-o
There lived a mother and her son and their bonnie old brown cow-o.

This cow was a bonnie cow but they needed money most-o
So she said, "Please take the cow, to market you must go-o."

So he's walked along the way, he's walked but half the day-o
And there he's spied a fair young maid, she says, "where are you bound-o?"

I'll take this cow along the way Then I will, sell her On market day.
"You see this bonnie cow of mine? I'm taking her to market-o

Then I'll return to my mother dear with money in my hand-o."
So she's took this young man's arm, she says, "You handsome sir-o,

Come sit you down in the soft green grass, come rest awhile with me-o.
" She's kissed him long, she's kissed him strong, a fair game she did play-o,

And after playing not so hard, this young man he gave way-o.
I'll take this cow along the way Then I will, sell her On market day.

When this young man he awoke both girl and cow were gone-o
Gone also were the shoes he wore and the trousers he had on-o.

Come all you young men near and far, never heed a maiden's calling,
Never trust a girl with your mother's cow, never let your trousers go
Falling downIn the green grass,
falling down In the green grass

Farewell to old England forever
Farewell to me sweetheart as well
Oh keep me child safe in your arms love
I need you like no words can tell

Too ra ly too ra ly adity
Too ra ly too ra ly ay
Too ra ly too ra ly adity
Sailing to Botany Bay

The captain that is our commander
He sails by the stars and the sun
If e'er well I live I'll return again
To me darling sweet kisses I'd run.

CHORUS

For seven long years he's transported
Seven long years and a day
Oh I wish I were drowned on the ocean bed
For they've taken my truelove away

CHORUS

If I had the wings of a turtle dove
I'd soar on me pinions and fly
I'd fly to the arms of me Polly love
And in her sweet bosom I'd lie.

CHORUS

Willie sits in his stable door,
and he's combing his coal black steed.
He's doubting on fair Margaret's love,
and his heart begins to bleed.
"Give corn unto my horse, mother,
and meat to my man, john,
And I'll away to fair Margaret's bower
before the night comes on."

"Stay at home with me, dear Willie,
oh stay at home with me,
And the very best cock in all the roost
your own supper will be."
"For all your cocks and all your roosts, I value not a pin,
And I'll away to fair Margaret's bower
before the night comes in."

"Well if you go to fair Margaret's bower
without the leave of me.
In the deepest part of the Clyde water,
then drowned you will be."
"Oh, the good steed that I ride upon,
cost me thrice thirty pounds,
And I'll put trust in his swift feet
to take me safe and sound."

He's ridden o'er yon high, high hill,
and down yon dowey den,
And the rushin' in of the Clyde water
would fear five hundred men.
"Oh, roaring Clyde, you roar so loud.
your steams are wondrous stong,
Make me a wreck as I come back,
but spare me as I'm gone."

When he's got to fair Margaret's bower,
he's turled low on the pin.
"Rise up, rise up me May Margaret,
rise up and let me in."
"Oh who is this at me bower door
callin' May Margaret's name?"
"Oh it's only your first love, little William
this night come to her home.
Open your gates this night, oh open and let me in,
For my boots are full of the Clyde
and I'm frozen to the skin."
"My barns are full of corn, Willie,
and my stable's full of hay,
My bower's full of gentlemen
and they won't remove 'till day."

"Fare thee well to you May Margaret,
fare thee well and adieu.
For I have earned my mother's own curse
by coming this night to you."
He's ridden o'er yon high, high hill,
and down yon dowey den,
And the rushing in of the Clyde water
took Willie's hat from him.

He's leaned him over his saddle bow
to catch his hat again,
And the rushing in of the Clyde water
took Willie's cane from him.
He's leaned him over his saddle bow
to catch his cane by force,
And the rushing in of the Clyde water
took Willie from his horse.

The very hour this young man sank
into the part so deep,
Up and awoke Miss May Margaret
out from her dreary sleep.
"Come here, come here, me mother dear,
and read to me my dream,
I dreamt my love was at our gate
and no one let him in."

"Lie there, lie there, me May Margaret,
lie there and take your rest,
For since your love was at our gate
it's but two quarters past."
Nimbly, nimbly rose she up unto the water's brim,
And the louder that this young girl cried,
the louder grew the wind.

The very first step that she went in,
she's up into her feet,
And it's "Oh and alas!" this young girl cried,
"Your water's wondrous deep."
Oh the very next step that she went in,
she's up unto her knees,
Cried she, "I would go farther in,
If I my true lover could see."

The very next step that she went in,
she's up unto her chin,
In the deepest part of the Clyde water,
she's found sweet William in.
Saying, "You have had a cruel mother Willie,
and I have had another,
And now we'll sleep in the Clyde water
like sister and like brother."

Oh the rain it rains all day long,
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley,
And the northern wind, it blows so strong,
Bold Riley-o has gone away.

Goodbye my sweetheart,
goodbye my dear-o
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley,
Goodbye my darlin',
goodbye my dear-o,
Bold Riley-o has gone away.

Well come on, Mary, don't look glum,
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley,
Come White-stocking Day you'll be drinkin' rum
Bold Riley-o has gone away.

CHORUS

We're outward bound for the Bengal Bay,
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley,
Get bending, me lads,
it's a hell-of-a-way,
Bold Riley-o has gone away.

CHORUS x 2