The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #26954   Message #435399
Posted By: Malcolm Douglas
07-Apr-01 - 05:14 PM
Thread Name: Help: when I was in my prime - symbolism
Subject: RE: Help: when I was in my prime - symbolism
Whoever originally posted the text gave no indication as to where they got it, but presumably it was learnt from a Pentangle record, with a few words imperfectly remembered.  Though some of the changes are of little consequence, others miss the sense or lose a rhyme, so I may as well indicate them all (including those already mentioned):

v1, line 2:  There came along

v2, 2:  he gave to me

v3, 2:  For it fades
3:  too pale a hue

v4, 2:  That's not
3:  For then I'll pluck the red rose off

v5, 2:  shall whine
3:  [omit How]

v6, 1:  If I'm spared for one year more
2:  [omit if]
4:  to wash

Typically for the time (1970) Pentangle didn't bother to say where they got it (though they printed the lyric), just describing it as "traditional".  I haven't so far managed to locate a traditional version of The Seeds of Love that takes quite this form and melody, so I've made a midi based on the recording -with the usual caveat that it' s not a precise transcription- and will send it to Alan for the  Mudcat Midi Pages;  meanwhile, it may be heard via the  South Riding Folk Network  site:

When I Was In My Prime


Malcolm