Fifty Verses

  • N. Kerr

    1.Well I was not bound for Eden and my bag became a burden

    So here I made my garden where the banks of burdocks grow

    And there was no gold or silver where the foundry meets the river

    In the land of Santa Georgia where the banks of burdocks grow

    Where old panes are broken and a thousand tongues are spoken

    And new saints awaken where the banks of burdocks grow

    So farewell cold winter we will all shine out together

    In the land of Santa Georgia where the banks of burdocks grow

    2.Well there is no peace or plenty in the land of old Brigante

    But the rain falls down so gently where the banks of burdocks grow

    And a fond lover’s sweetness is a lantern in the darkness

    Is a grand and burning furnace where the banks of burdocks grow

    Where old panes are broken …

    3.Well the king he sent his army from the land of old Brigante

    And the soldiers they were weary where the banks of burdocks grow

    So they stormed the temple quarter and the glass fell down like water

    In the land of Santa Georgia where the banks of burdocks grow

    Now old panes are broken…

    4. On the road to old Brigando where the factory meets the meadow

    There’s a lantern in my window where the banks of burdocks grow

    And a thousand trees are planted in the land of old Brigante

    In the land of Santa Georgia where the banks of burdocks grow

    Where old panes are broken …

    Where old panes are broken …

  • (trad)

    1.On the 21st of October before the rising sun

    We formed the line for action me boys at twelve o clock begun

    Brave Nelson to his men did say “The Lord will prosper us this day,

    Give then the broadside, fire away”

    On board a man of war

    2.So broadside to broadside our cannon balls did fly

    Like hail stones their small shot around our decks did lie

    Our mast and rigging were shot away, besides some thousands in that fray

    Were killed and wounded on that day

    On board a man of war

    3.But then our brave commander in grief he shook his head

    “There is no reprieve, there is no relief, great Nelson he is dead,

    It was a fatal musket ball that caused our Hero for to fall

    But he died in peace, God bless you all”

    On board a man of war

    4.And the merchants of Yarmouth when they did hear it so

    They said “Come, brother sailors, to church now let us go,

    There we will build a noble pile, all for the hero of the Nile,

    Who gave his life for England’s Isle:

    On board a man of war

    5.Now our soldiers and sailors many noble deeds have done

    While fighting in foreign, many battles they have won

    If the Nile it could witness there or the Cape of Trafalgar declare

    There is none with Nelson could compare

    On board a man of war

  • (N. Kerr)

    See how the season is starting something

    The swift unearthing of a summer long

    And thrifty voices do greet the dawning

    With fifty verses of a longer song

    1.On yonder alder the red wood growing

    As he grows older does grow more grand

    His bark and berries do soothe the sorrows

    Of every woman and every man

    See how the season …

    2.The sea remembers on an eve in August

    Our driftwood fire like a burning man

    We blew the embers and in the morning

    Had fishes flying into the pan

    See how the season …

    3.The stars are burning to light the evening

    And a clifftop morning will breeze along

    Just fifty turnings in a longer living

    Just fifty verses of a longer song

    Just fifty turnings in a longer living

    Just fifty verses of a longer song

    See how the season …

    See how the season …

  • (J. Arrowsmith)

    1.On a Winter’s day I walked alone

    The coldest day of all the year

    And I wished that I had for my own

    A sweetheart who would be my dear

    Oh wedding bells ring out one day of joy

    Oh wedding bells ring out one day of joy

    2.On a day in Spring ‘neath skies so clear

    I met my love for the very first time

    And my heart was filled with joy and cheer

    That I was his and he was mine

    Oh wedding bells…

    3.On a Summer’s day the sun did shine

    We shared our thoughts and did agree

    That evermore our hearts would twine

    And therefore married we should be

    Oh wedding bells…

    4.This Autumn day as all can see

    We stand together clasping hands

    In front of friends and family

    Are joined as one with marriage bands

    Oh wedding bells…

    Oh wedding bells…

  • (P. Wilson)

    1.Are you going to Bampton Fair?

    Get your beer down Bob, we’re moving

    Are you going to Bampton Fair, boy?

    We’ll go to the fair like we’ve always done

    Get in the car and give it a run

    Get a few friends and have some fun

    Down at the Bampton Fair, boy, down at the Bampton Fair

    2.Who did you see at the Bampton Fair…

    Young ones, old ones, me and you

    Travellers, farmers, visitors too

    They even had a TV crew

    Down at the Bampton Fair…

    3.What did you buy at the Bampton Fair…

    A crockery set that has no cups

    A brand new shirt that has no cuffs

    A bloomin’ old grai that has no puff

    Down at the Bampton Fair…

    4.What did you drink at the Bampton Fair…

    Twenty-one pints and one for me head

    A scotch or a brandy or a port instead

    All served up in a muddy old shed

    Down at the Bampton Fair…

    5.What did you get at the Bampton Fair…

    Two black eyes and a broken nose

    I caught a cold and I damn near froze

    A bump on the head and I tore me clothes

    Down at the Bampton Fair…

    6.Will you go next year to Bampton Fair…

    If the pubs are open and the beer is free

    If the landlord says “It’s all on me”

    If I can’t think of anywhere else to be

    I’ll go to Bampton Fair, boy,

    Go to Bampton Fair, boy, to Bampton Fair

  • (trad)

    1.There was a wife of Castlegate but I’ll not tell of her name,

    She is both brisk and buxom and she likes the fumbling game

    She can nip and she can trip me boys as she goes over the plain

    ‘Til she meets with a jolly boating man and she’s off with him again

    2.He says “Me Molly, honey, oh could you fancy me

    Come on up to my ship’s cabin and contented we will be

    For I have got gold and silver and of you I will take care

    And a whopping great pair of horns my love your husband he will wear

    3.“For your husband he’s a silly old fool and he’s blind as blind can be

    And so to wear the horns me love contended he will be

    He can wiggle them at his leisure, he can do the best he can

    While his wife takes her pleasure with the jolly boating man

    4.“Well at Pomfret clock and tower, me love, there’s silver in great store

    And I wish that we could go there, for then we’d have us some more

    And we’ll sup on wine and whisky, we’ll have beer and ale in store

    Here’s a health to lads and lasses and great tipplers evermore.”

    5.There was a wife…

  • (trad)

    1.We shepherds are the best of men that e’er trod English ground

    When we come to an alehouse we value not one crown

    We spends our money freely; and we pay before we go

    For there’s no ale on the wold where the stormy winds do blow.

    For there’s no ale on the wold…

    2.A man that is a shepherd does need a valiant heart

    He must not be faint-hearted but boldly play his part

    He must not be faint-hearted be it rain or frost or snow

    With no ale on the wold where the stormy winds do blow

    He must not be faint hearted…

    3.When I kept sheep on Blockley Hill it caused my heart to beat

    To see the ewes hang out their tongues and hear the lambs to bleat

    So I plucked up my courage and o’er the hills did go

    And penned them in, in the fold where the stormy winds do blow

    So I plucked up my courage…

    4.As soon as I had folded them I turned my back in haste

    Unto some jovial company, good liquor for to taste

    For drink and jovial company, they are my heart’s delight

    While my sheep lie asleep all the fore-part of the night.

    For drink and jovial company…

  • (trad)

    Come and I will sing you

    What will you sing me?

    I will sing you one-oh

    What is your one-oh?

    One is one and all alone and evermore shall be so

    …Two is for the lilly-white babes, covered all in green-oh

    …Three of them are strangers

    …Four for the gospel makers

    …Five for the symbol at your door

    …Six for the charming waters

    …Seven for the seven stars in the sky

    …Eight for the eight bold rangers

    …Nine for the nine bright shiners

    …Ten for the ten commandments

    …Eleven maidens all in a dance

    …Twelve for the twelve apostles

  • (trad)

    When you were born you cried and the world rejoiced

    Live your life so that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.

  • (trad)

    1.Bright morning star’s arising

    Bright morning star’s arising

    Bright morning star’s arising

    Day is a-breaking in my soul

    2.Oh where are our dear fathers?…

    3.Some are down the the valley praying …

    4.Some are gone to heaven shouting…

    5.Bright morning star’s arising…