Lyr Req: ? Downs so free

16 Oct 01 - 05:56 PM (#573679)
Subject: ? Downs so free
From: Kernow John

I was given these words at a session last night and asked if I knew the rest. I didn't but I'm intrigued, can anyone help?

Oh who'll go over the downs so free
Oh who will with me ride
Oh who'll go over the downs so free
Fetch a blooming bride
Her mother's locked the door
Her father keeps the key
Neither door or bolt will part
To let my true love free.

Thanks for any help
KJ

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16 Oct 01 - 06:56 PM (#573730)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ? Downs so free
From: nutty

The sheet music is here .... you should be able to make out the words

CLICK HERE

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17 Oct 01 - 09:28 AM (#574122)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ? Downs so free
From: Kernow John

Nutty
You are a flaming genius, you make me feel incompetent (cos I am of course).
Thanks again.
John

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08 Jan 02 - 11:56 PM (#623903)
Subject: Lyr Add: O! WHO WILL O'ER THE DOWNS SO FREE
From: Jim Dixon

Transcribed from the sheet music at the Library of Congress site. (See Nutty's link above.)

O! WHO WILL O'ER THE DOWNS SO FREE
(M. P. Eayrs, copyright 1881.)

1. O! Who will o'er the downs so free?
O! Who will with me ride?
O! Who will up and follow me
To win a blooming bride,
To win a blooming bride?
Her father he has locked the door.
Her mother keeps the key.
But neither bolt nor bar shall part
My own true love from me,
My own true love from me.

2. I promised her to come at night
With comrades brave and true:
A gallant band with sword in hand
To break her prison through.
I promised her to come at night.
She's waiting now for me,
And ere the dawn of morning light,
I'll set my true love free,
I'll set my true love free.

3. So who will o'er the downs with me
And who will with me ride?
O! who will up and follow me
To win a blooming bride,
To win a blooming bride?
Her father he has locked the door.
Her mother keeps the key,
But neither bolt nor bar shall part
My own true love from me,
My own true love from me.

4. I saw her bower at twilight gray.
'Twas guarded safe and sure.
I saw her bower at break of day.
'Twas guarded then no more.
'Twas guarded then no more.
The varlets they were all asleep
And none was near to see
The greeting fair that passèd there
Between my love and me,
Between my love and me.

(Repeat verses 2 & 3.)

["Composed for and sung by C. E. Hay."]

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26 Oct 12 - 05:51 PM (#3426569)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ? Downs so free
From: GUEST,Lorraine06

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoPZOVNQ2Qg

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27 Oct 12 - 04:00 PM (#3426992)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ? Downs so free
From: Steve Gardham

The info I have says it was written by Robert Lucas De Pearsall (1795-1856) and the order of verses is not quite the same as Jim's. It runs 1,4,2. Another source says it is based on an old Gloucs tale from the middle ages.

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27 Oct 12 - 04:13 PM (#3426995)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ? Downs so free
From: Janie

clickifying Lorraine's link above.

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