The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #1706   Message #3098780
Posted By: Uncle_DaveO
19-Feb-11 - 07:41 PM
Thread Name: Origins: The Unquiet Grave (Cold Blows the Wind)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE UNQUIET GRAVE
The version I've been singing for years beyond count is as follows.
I have "bolded" words and phrases that I think differ from what has been cited above, but more's the pity, the HTML isn't turning off correctly, so I changed it back.

THE UNQUIET GRAVE

Bold blows the wind to my true love
And gentle drops the rain.
I never had but one true love
And in greenwood she is lain.

I'll do as much for my true love
As any young man may.
I'll sit and weep all on her grave
For a twelve-month and a day.

When twelve-month and one day were o'er
Her ghost began for to speak:
"Why do you sit all on my grave
And will not let me sleep?"

"There's one thing more I want, sweetheart.
And one thing more I crave,
And that's a kiss from your lily-white lips
And then I'll go from your grave."

"My lips are cold as clay, sweetheart.
My breath smells heavy and strong;
And if you kissed my lily-white lips,
Your time would not be long."

"Oh, down in yonder's garden green
Love, where we used to walk,
The finest flower that e'er was seen
Is withered to a stalk."

Ask me not where I learned this song; I have no idea at this late date. I've been singing it this way for about fifty years.

Dave Oesterreich