STRANGER

I'm a stranger in this country,
From America I come,
There's no one here does know
They do not know my name;
I'm a stranger in this country,
I'll tarry here a while,
And then I'll ramble further,
For many a long mile.

Some say that I am rakish,
And some do call me wild;
Some say that I am rakish,
And many maids beguiled;
But to prove that I am loyal,
Come on sweet love with me;
I'll take you to America,
My darling you shall be me,

O' give my love to Polly
The maiden I adore,
And give my love to Sally,
Although she is so poor;
And give my love to Betty,
My love and my delight;
My love likewise to Hetty,
I dream of her at night.

The moon shall set in darkness,
The stars shall give no light;
If ever I deceitful prove,
To my dear hearts delight,
All in the midst of ocean,
Shall spring they myrtle tree,
If ever I unfaithful prove,
To her that goes with me.


Also known as the emigrants song. This was communicated to Baring Gould from a Mrs Mary Treese aged 88 of Menheniot in 1891. The song enjoyed much popularity amongst the broadsides and three versions were noted by Cecil Sharp (Cecil Sharp's collection of English Folk Songs Ed M Karpeles, Vol II P 576). Both the tune and the words differ in Cornwall. In the Broadsides the emigrant has returned to his own country somewhat disillusioned, this has been modified in Cornwall and the stranger has returned to find a wife who will sail away with him. Obviously reflecting the attitude of the Cornish at the time.

Agas Dyw gans mos hwi
BAZ

ESTREN

Estren of-vy y'n pow-ma,
Den Ameryca of-vy;
Ny'm aswon denvyth yn-ta,
Ow hanow ny wodhons-y;
Estren of-vy y'n pow-ma,
Saw un pols omma yn sur;
Hag ena y whandraf alemma,
Dres Iyes myldyr hyr.

Re a lever ow bos atla,
Nepprys gwyls my yu gelwys;
Re a lever ow bos atla,
Ha Iyes moren dullys;
Rak dhe brevy ow bos lel yn sur,
Cares whek, dus genef-vy,
Y'th kemeraf dh'Arneryea,
Ow melder a vydhyth-sy.

Ro dhe Jowna ow herensa,
An voren a whorthyaf-vy;
Ro dhe Gayna ow herensa, ?
Mar voghosek kyn fo-hy;
Ha ro dhe Nonna ow herensa,
Huthter yu-hy dhymmo-vy;
Ynweth dhe Wenna ow herensa,
'Y hunrosaf 'dro dhedhy.

An lor a wra sedhy yn tewlder,
Sterennow ny re golow;
Mars of-vy prevys hep cuf ter,
Dhe whans ow holon wyr ytho;
Tevy cref a wra an myrtwyth,
Yn mysk an mor mar vras,
Mar prevyf tullor dhedhy byth-
Dhe'n vowes genef-vy a as.

MIDI file: STRANGER.MID

Timebase: 480

Tempo: 070 (857142 microsec/crotchet)
Key: Bb
TimeSig: 3/4 18 8
Name: STRANGER
Text: S:MERVE DAVEY, HENEGAN
Start
0000 1 65 127 0239 0 65 000 0001 1 69 090 0239 0 69 000 0001 1 72 090 0719 0 72 000 0001 1 69 090 0239 0 69 000 0001 1 70 127 0159 0 70 000 0001 1 74 090 0319 0 74 000 0001 1 74 090 0239 0 74 000 0001 1 72 090 0239 0 72 000 0001 1 69 090 0479 0 69 000 0001 1 69 127 0239 0 69 000 0001 1 72 090 0239 0 72 000 0001 1 72 090 0719 0 72 000 0001 1 70 090 0239 0 70 000 0001 1 67 127 0159 0 67 000 0001 1 63 090 0319 0 63 000 0001 1 65 090 0959 0 65 000 0000 1 65 127 0239 0 65 000 0001 1 69 090 0239 0 69 000 0001 1 72 090 0719 0 72 000 0001 1 69 090 0239 0 69 000 0001 1 70 127 0159 0 70 000 0001 1 74 090 0319 0 74 000 0001 1 74 090 0239 0 74 000 0001 1 72 090 0239 0 72 000 0001 1 69 090 0479 0 69 000 0001 1 69 127 0239 0 69 000 0001 1 72 090 0239 0 72 000 0001 1 72 090 0719 0 72 000 0001 1 70 090 0239 0 70 000 0001 1 67 127 0159 0 67 000 0001 1 63 090 0319 0 63 000 0001 1 65 090 0959 0 65 000 0001 1 69 127 0239 0 69 000 0001 1 72 090 0239 0 72 000 0001 1 77 090 0719 0 77 000 0001 1 72 090 0239 0 72 000 0001 1 77 127 0159 0 77 000 0001 1 72 090 0319 0 72 000 0001 1 74 090 0239 0 74 000 0001 1 72 090 0239 0 72 000 0001 1 69 090 0479 0 69 000 0001 1 69 127 0239 0 69 000 0001 1 72 090 0239 0 72 000 0001 1 77 090 0719 0 77 000 0001 1 79 090 0239 0 79 000 0001 1 77 127 0159 0 77 000 0001 1 75 090 0319 0 75 000 0001 1 72 090 0959 0 72 000 0001 1 65 127 0239 0 65 000 0001 1 69 090 0239 0 69 000 0001 1 72 090 0719 0 72 000 0001 1 69 090 0239 0 69 000 0001 1 70 127 0159 0 70 000 0001 1 74 090 0319 0 74 000 0001 1 74 090 0239 0 74 000 0001 1 72 090 0239 0 72 000 0001 1 69 090 0479 0 69 000 0001 1 69 127 0239 0 69 000 0001 1 72 090 0239 0 72 000 0001 1 72 090 0719 0 72 000 0001 1 70 090 0239 0 70 000 0001 1 67 127 0159 0 67 000 0001 1 63 090 0319 0 63 000 0001 1 65 090 0959 0 65 000
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the January 15 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:STRANGER
M:3/4
Q:1/4=70
K:Bb
FAc3A|B3/4d5/4dcA2|Acc3B|G3/4E5/4F4|FAc3A|
B3/4d5/4dcA2|Acc3B|G3/4E5/4F4|Acf3c|f3/4c5/4dcA2|
Acf3g|f3/4e5/4c4|FAc3A|B3/4d5/4dcA2|Acc3B|
G3/4E5/4F4||