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Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd S
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Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd S |
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Subject: Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd Su From: GUEST,Rory Date: 10 Sep 23 - 07:19 AM Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd Susan Roud# 560 Poem by John Gay (1685-1732), English poet and dramatist, in 1719. Published in: Poems on Several Occasions, by John Gay, First edition, Vol 1-2, 1720, pp. 405-407; (Separate edition Vol 2, pp. 126-128) Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd Susan "Sweet William's Farewel to Black-ey'd Susan. A Ballad" was first announced in the "Post-man and the Historical Account" of Saturday, 10 January 1719. The poem was set to music by Richard Leverige, a famous bass singer from the London stage, first announced in "The Daily Courant" of 25 March 1719. Published in: The Musical Miscellany, by John Watts, Vol 4, 1730, pp. 148-151. Set to music by Richard Leveridge It seems that John Gay's poem is an adaption of an unknown missing English broadside which would be dated c.1680s to 1718, also a probable antecedent to "The Sailor Boy" or "Sweet William", appearing in broadsides and chapbooks ca.1810. Among the opening lines are the antecedent lines 4-6. 1 All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd, 2 The streamers waving in the wind, 3 When black-ey'd Susan came aboard. 4 Oh! where shall I my true love find! 5 Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true, 6 If my sweet William sails among the crew? The rest of Gay's poem is not textually related but still tells the same story - the parting of the sailor, Sweet William and his love. Gay's poem as well as two archaic traditional versions from the US reveal some of the text of the unknown missing English broadside. The song is about the love story between Susan and her Sweet William. The poem follows Susan as she goes aboard a ship in-dock ready to leave for battle, trying to find her lover William who would be making that long sea voyage. With tears in her dark eyes, she cries out his name and the young man, hearing her call from high above his ship’s yardarm, rushes down to console her, promising to be true wherever he goes. But soon after their reunion she is told by the captain she must leave the ship as it prepares to leave, and so Susan bids William one last sad farewell as she rows back to shore. The bittersweet parting of Black-eyed Susan and Sweet William later became a popular love legend. "Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd Susan. A Ballad" Poems on Several Occasions, by John Gay, First edition, Vol 1-2, 1720, pp. 405-407; (Separate edition Vol 2, pp. 126-128). I. All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd, The streamers waving in the wind, When black-ey'd Susan came aboard. Oh! where shall I my true love find! Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true, If my sweet William sails among the crew. II. William, who high upon the yard, Rock'd with the billow to and fro, Soon as her well-known voice he heard, He sigh'd, and cast his eyes below: The cord slides swiftly through his glowing hands, And, (quick as lightning) on the deck he stands. III. So the sweet lark, high pois'd in air, Shuts close his pinions to his breast, (If, chance, his mate's shrill call he hear) And drops at once into her nest. The noblest captain in the British fleet, Might envy William's lip those kisses sweet. IV. "O Susan, Susan, lovely dear, My vows shall ever true remain; Let me kiss off that falling tear, We only part to meet again. Change, as ye list, ye winds; my heart shall be The faithful compass that still points to thee. V. "Believe not what the landmen say, Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind: They'll tell thee, sailors, when away, In ev'ry port a mistress find. Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so, For thou art present wheresoe'er I go. VI. "If to far India's coast we sail, Thy eyes are seen in di'monds bright, Thy breath is Afric's spicy gale, Thy skin is ivory, so white. Thus ev'ry beauteous object that I view, Wakes in my soul some charm of lovely Sue. VII. "Though battle call me from thy arms Let not my pretty Susan mourn; Though cannons roar, yet safe from harms, William shall to his dear return. Love turns aside the balls that round me fly, Lest precious tears should drop from Susan's eye". VIII. The boatswain gave the dreadful word, The sails their swelling bosom spread, No longer must she stay aboard: They kiss'd, she sigh'd, he hung his head. Her less'ning boat, unwilling rows to land: "Adieu", she cries! and wav'd her lily hand. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd S From: GUEST,Rory Date: 10 Sep 23 - 07:28 AM Recording Song: Black Eyed Susan Artist: Adrienne O'Shea Album: Threads of Gold (2023) https://youtu.be/39-wdXVfmLk?si=CLlOjkbP1_5Dp1jD All in the Downs the fleet lay moored She was waiting in the wind When black-eyed Susan came on board Saying "Where shall I my true-love find? Tell me jovial sailors, tell me true Does my sweet William, Does my sweet William sail among your crew?" Willy, who high upon the yard Rocked by the billows to and fro Soon as then her well-known voice he heard He sighed and cast his eyes below The cord glides swiftly through his glowing hands And quick as lightning, And quick as lightning on the deck he stands "Oh Susan, Susan, lovely dear My vows will ever true remain Let me kiss off those falling tears We only part to meet again" The noblest captain of all that British fleet Might envy Willy, Might envy Willy’s lips those kisses sweet "Believe not what the landsmen say They'll try to tempt thy constant mind They'll say that sailors when away In every port a mistress find Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so For thou art present, For thou art present wheresoe'er I go" "If to fair India's coast I sail Thine eyes are seen in diamonds bright Thy breath is Africa's spicy gale Thy skin is ivory so white The pleasant breezes wheresoe'er they blow They bring me memories, They bring me memories of my lovely Sue" The boatswain gave the dreadful word The sails their swelling bosom spread No longer could she stay on board He turned, she sighed, and hung her head Her little boat unwilling rowed to land "Adieu," she cried, "Adieu," she cried and waved her lily hand |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd S From: GUEST,Mike Yates Date: 10 Sep 23 - 08:16 AM This was in the repertoire of the great Norfolk singer Walter Pardon. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd S From: GUEST Date: 10 Sep 23 - 10:05 AM Roud 560; Laws O28 |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd S From: Anglo Date: 10 Sep 23 - 02:00 PM The late Margaret MacArthur of Marlborp, Vermont. recorded a lovely version of this from the Flanders collection. It was also recently recorded by Keith Murphy. |
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Subject: Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd Su From: GUEST,Rory Date: 10 Sep 23 - 07:19 AM Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd Susan Roud# 560 Poem by John Gay (1685-1732), English poet and dramatist, in 1719. Published in: Poems on Several Occasions, by John Gay, First edition, Vol 1-2, 1720, pp. 405-407; (Separate edition Vol 2, pp. 126-128) Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd Susan "Sweet William's Farewel to Black-ey'd Susan. A Ballad" was first announced in the "Post-man and the Historical Account" of Saturday, 10 January 1719. The poem was set to music by Richard Leverige, a famous bass singer from the London stage, first announced in "The Daily Courant" of 25 March 1719. Published in: The Musical Miscellany, by John Watts, Vol 4, 1730, pp. 148-151. Set to music by Richard Leveridge It seems that John Gay's poem is an adaption of an unknown missing English broadside which would be dated c.1680s to 1718, also a probable antecedent to "The Sailor Boy" or "Sweet William", appearing in broadsides and chapbooks ca.1810. Among the opening lines are the antecedent lines 4-6. 1 All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd, 2 The streamers waving in the wind, 3 When black-ey'd Susan came aboard. 4 Oh! where shall I my true love find! 5 Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true, 6 If my sweet William sails among the crew? The rest of Gay's poem is not textually related but still tells the same story - the parting of the sailor, Sweet William and his love. Gay's poem as well as two archaic traditional versions from the US reveal some of the text of the unknown missing English broadside. The song is about the love story between Susan and her Sweet William. The poem follows Susan as she goes aboard a ship in-dock ready to leave for battle, trying to find her lover William who would be making that long sea voyage. With tears in her dark eyes, she cries out his name and the young man, hearing her call from high above his ship’s yardarm, rushes down to console her, promising to be true wherever he goes. But soon after their reunion she is told by the captain she must leave the ship as it prepares to leave, and so Susan bids William one last sad farewell as she rows back to shore. The bittersweet parting of Black-eyed Susan and Sweet William later became a popular love legend. "Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd Susan. A Ballad" Poems on Several Occasions, by John Gay, First edition, Vol 1-2, 1720, pp. 405-407; (Separate edition Vol 2, pp. 126-128). I. All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd, The streamers waving in the wind, When black-ey'd Susan came aboard. Oh! where shall I my true love find! Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true, If my sweet William sails among the crew. II. William, who high upon the yard, Rock'd with the billow to and fro, Soon as her well-known voice he heard, He sigh'd, and cast his eyes below: The cord slides swiftly through his glowing hands, And, (quick as lightning) on the deck he stands. III. So the sweet lark, high pois'd in air, Shuts close his pinions to his breast, (If, chance, his mate's shrill call he hear) And drops at once into her nest. The noblest captain in the British fleet, Might envy William's lip those kisses sweet. IV. "O Susan, Susan, lovely dear, My vows shall ever true remain; Let me kiss off that falling tear, We only part to meet again. Change, as ye list, ye winds; my heart shall be The faithful compass that still points to thee. V. "Believe not what the landmen say, Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind: They'll tell thee, sailors, when away, In ev'ry port a mistress find. Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so, For thou art present wheresoe'er I go. VI. "If to far India's coast we sail, Thy eyes are seen in di'monds bright, Thy breath is Afric's spicy gale, Thy skin is ivory, so white. Thus ev'ry beauteous object that I view, Wakes in my soul some charm of lovely Sue. VII. "Though battle call me from thy arms Let not my pretty Susan mourn; Though cannons roar, yet safe from harms, William shall to his dear return. Love turns aside the balls that round me fly, Lest precious tears should drop from Susan's eye". VIII. The boatswain gave the dreadful word, The sails their swelling bosom spread, No longer must she stay aboard: They kiss'd, she sigh'd, he hung his head. Her less'ning boat, unwilling rows to land: "Adieu", she cries! and wav'd her lily hand. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd S From: GUEST,Rory Date: 10 Sep 23 - 07:28 AM Recording Song: Black Eyed Susan Artist: Adrienne O'Shea Album: Threads of Gold (2023) https://youtu.be/39-wdXVfmLk?si=CLlOjkbP1_5Dp1jD All in the Downs the fleet lay moored She was waiting in the wind When black-eyed Susan came on board Saying "Where shall I my true-love find? Tell me jovial sailors, tell me true Does my sweet William, Does my sweet William sail among your crew?" Willy, who high upon the yard Rocked by the billows to and fro Soon as then her well-known voice he heard He sighed and cast his eyes below The cord glides swiftly through his glowing hands And quick as lightning, And quick as lightning on the deck he stands "Oh Susan, Susan, lovely dear My vows will ever true remain Let me kiss off those falling tears We only part to meet again" The noblest captain of all that British fleet Might envy Willy, Might envy Willy’s lips those kisses sweet "Believe not what the landsmen say They'll try to tempt thy constant mind They'll say that sailors when away In every port a mistress find Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so For thou art present, For thou art present wheresoe'er I go" "If to fair India's coast I sail Thine eyes are seen in diamonds bright Thy breath is Africa's spicy gale Thy skin is ivory so white The pleasant breezes wheresoe'er they blow They bring me memories, They bring me memories of my lovely Sue" The boatswain gave the dreadful word The sails their swelling bosom spread No longer could she stay on board He turned, she sighed, and hung her head Her little boat unwilling rowed to land "Adieu," she cried, "Adieu," she cried and waved her lily hand |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd S From: GUEST,Mike Yates Date: 10 Sep 23 - 08:16 AM This was in the repertoire of the great Norfolk singer Walter Pardon. |
|
Subject: RE: Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd S From: GUEST Date: 10 Sep 23 - 10:05 AM Roud 560; Laws O28 |
|
Subject: RE: Origins: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd S From: Anglo Date: 10 Sep 23 - 02:00 PM The late Margaret MacArthur of Marlborp, Vermont. recorded a lovely version of this from the Flanders collection. It was also recently recorded by Keith Murphy. |
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