SONGS ABOUT MARRIAGE: Rose Daly

[Excerpts. --Eve]

First, the usual version in folk/traditional songs: the girl reproaches her lover for his falseness and he (more or less) says "More fool you for believing me!"

The Blacksmith
A blacksmith courted me, nine months or better
He bravely won my heart, wrote me a letter
With his hammer in his hand, he looked quite clever
And if I was with my love, I'd live forever

But where is my love gone, with his cheeks like roses
And his good black billycock on, all crowned with primroses
I'm afraid the scorching sun, will shine and burn his beauty
And if I was with my love, I'd do my duty

Strange news has come to town, strange news is carried
Strange news flies up and down, that my love he's married
I wish them both much joy though they can't hear me
And may God reward them well for the slighting of me

Don't you remember well, when you lay beside me
And you said you'd marry me and not deny me
If I said I'd marry you, it was only for to try you
But bring your witness love, and I'll not deny you

Oh witness have I none, save God almighty
And may He reward you well, for the slighting of me
Her lips grew pale and wan, it made her poor heart tremble
To think she loved a one and he proved deceitful

Then there's the version of "As I Roved Out" as sung by Brian Kennedy, which is slightly unusual in that, as well as the girl reproaching the lover who threw her over for a better prospect (and regretting the surrender of her virginity to him, as signified by the gift of the 'diamond ring'), the man regrets it as well:

"AS I ROVED OUT"

As I roved out one bright May morning
To view the meadows and flowers gay
Whom should I spy but my own true love
As she sat under yon willow tree.

I took off my hat and I did salute her
I did salute her most courteously
When she turned around well the tears fell from her
Saying false young man you have deluded me.

A diamond ring I own I gave you
A diamond ring to wear on your right hand
But the vows you made love you went and broke them
And married the lassie who had the land

If I married the lassie that had the land my love
It's that I'll rue till the day I die
When misfortune falls no man can shun it
I was blindfolded that I'll never deny

Now at night when I go to my bed of slumber
The thought of my true love runs in my mind
When I turn around to embrace my darling
Instead of gold sure it is brass I find

And I wish the queen would call home her armies
From the West Indies, Amerikay, and Spain
And every man to his wedded woman
In hopes that you and I will meet again
posted by Eve at 5:46 PM | link

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