Banks of the Lea
For I am an American stranger and curiosity caused me to roam,
Through Europe I’m bound for to ramble now I’ve left Philadelphie my home;
And so quick I sailed over to old England where the great forms of beauty do shine,
And there I behold a fair damsel and I wished in m heart she was mine. As sung by Danny Brazil, Gloucester 27 April 66 (Springthyme 66.4.21). In: Shepheard, Peter. Folk Songs and Ballads of the Brazil Family of Gloucester (1967).
For I am an American stranger and Kilrossan* it caused me to roam,
Through Europe I’m bound for to ramble now I’ve left Philadelphie my home;
And so quick I sailed over to old England where the great forms of beauty do shine,
And there I behold a fair damsel and I wished in m heart she was mine.
I stepped up and wished her good morning, her pale cheeks did blush like a rose,
“Sure your fields and your meadows look charming my regards you may have if you choose.”
“Young man, I don’t want none o your guarderie for I’m sure you’re a stranger to me,
Now yonder’s my father a-coming on the mossy green bank of the Lea.”
As I waited till up come her father and I plucked up my spirits once more,
Saying, “Old man, is this your only daughter, such a lovely girl I adore?
Ten thousand a year is my fortune and a lady your daughter may be;
She may ride in her carriage and horses on the mossy green banks of the Lea.”
For they welcomed him home to the cottage and soon after the wedlock did join,
And it’s there I’ll (he may) build a fine castle not a splendider one could you find;
For to see the sun rise every morning in the place where the castle did stand,
It would dasmore the eyes of a stranger on the mossy green banks of the Lea.
* Kilrossan i.e. curiosity
dasmor: daze = bewilder
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