The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #11139 Message #2908099
Posted By: Steve Gardham
16-May-10 - 01:26 PM
Thread Name: Origins: The Green Laurel / Green Grows the Laurel
Subject: RE: Origins: The Green Laurel / Green Grows the Laurel
The earliest manifestations I have give it the title 'Can't you love who(m) you please.' All of the versions I have are in 5 stanzas. If you want to check out a version see Bodleian Broadside Ballads website Firth b27 (414) Most of the versions are c1800-1840. The earliest of the late 18thc is probably Morren of Edinburgh, but Evans of London was printing from about 1780. Pitts of London and Kendrew of York printed it in the early 19thc, and Stephenson of Gateshead (Bodleian copy) a little later, plus Taylor of Birmingham. In the latter half of the 19thc it was still being printed by the likes of Forth of Hull and Fortey of London under the title 'I changed the green willow for the orange and blue'.