Gown So Green
Now abroad as I was walking all on the King’s highway,
I been weary of my travellin of many of long day;
I met a lovely woman with a babe all in her arms,
She kissed the babe and said she wished its father would return. As sung by Harry Brazil, Sanders Lane, Gloucester and Danny Brazil, Over’s Bridge, Gloucester 5 January 1966 and Harry again 1 October 1967 (Springthyme 66.1.8, 66.2.2 & 67.7.48). In: Shepheard, Peter. Folk Songs and Ballads of the Brazil Family of Gloucester (1967).
Now abroad as I was walking all on the King’s highway,
I been weary of my travellin of many of long day;
I met a lovely woman with a babe all in her arms,
She kissed the babe and said she wished its father would return.
“Now good evening lovelye woman for I longed to meet you here,
With that pretty babe all in your arms you seem to love so dear;
I think I knows its father and you before I’ve seen,
Don’t you remember the day my love when you wore your gown so green?”
Now her arms she placeted round him and fainted away, [placeted: placed
“Is it you my lovely Henery ’turned home to me again;
Long time I’ve been rementin but now I’ll make a vowe, [rementin: lamenting
Not a peace nor comfort have I had since from me you’ve been gone?”
“Now I’ve lost one limb in battle love and that you plain can see,
A-saving a bold commander’s life, it proved the prince of me; [the prince: the better of
I’m left a noble pension, both silver an gold in store,
An I means to make you my lawful bride and go abroad no more.”
“Now let’s you and I take a licence love out on this very day,
Lets you an I get married love ’thout any more delay;
With your sweet prattling baby more pleasure you will see,
You’ll never no more repent the day when you wore your gown so green.
Verses as sung by Danny:
verse 3:
She throwed her arms around him and fainted away,
Is this you my lovely Henry turning home to me again;
Long time I’ve been rementing but now I’ll make a vow,
Neither peace nor comfort have I had since from me you’ve been gone.
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