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Lyr Req: Rimini (Kipling) 'I left Rome Laylargay's

24 Mar 99 - 01:01 AM (#65530)
Subject: I left Rome for Laylargay's sake
From: alison

Transferred from another thread......

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Help finding an unusal set of lyrics From: Michael at jshewkc@cyclops.pei.edu Date: 24-Mar-99 - 12:06 AM

For those who don't know, I have a huge pile of folksongs all around my computer, so most of my friends think that if they need to find a song, just ask ol' Michael. He'll know the lyrics. Well, one of my "pals" sent me a fragmentary lyric that I cannot, in any way shape or form, locate the original to! You folks oughta be able to help. Here's what he sent me:

I left rome for Laylargay's sake
By the legions road to Reamoney
She swore her heart was mine to take
With my sword and my sheild to Reamoney
'Till the eagles flew from Reamoney
I've tramped Brittan And I've tramped Gaul
And the Pontic shores Where the snow flakes fall
As white as the neck of Laylargay
As cold as the heart of Laylargay
Now i've lost Brittan and I've lost Gaul

Any ideas?

Michael (the confused guy in the corner)

24 Mar 99 - 01:35 PM (#65637)
Subject: RE: I left Rome for Laylargay's sake
From: Bruce O.

It's got to be a Roman emporer or general, but it hinges on what one means by lost. Britain was lost by about 420 C. E. The Romans lost most of Gaul to the Huns under Atilla, but kept parts until a bit later. 'Riothamus' (probably Emrys Lydlaw/Ambrosius Aurelianus) was fighting in Gaul in about 460 and there were still some Romans around. This would best fit Valentinian III, but he does not seem to have marched with his troops. Reamoney may be Cremonea/ Cremona. The fact that this song in in English means it can't be nearly that old. From an English or Broadway musical?

24 Mar 99 - 04:33 PM (#65668)
Subject: RE: I left Rome for Laylargay's sake
From: Penny

Sorry, posted it in the wrong place. It's Kipling, called "Rimini", and can be found in "Puck of Pooks Hill", with a longer version in "The Definitive Verse". If you can't find it I'll post it.

24 Mar 99 - 04:33 PM (#65669)
Subject: RE: I left Rome for Laylargay's sake
From: Penny

And it's Lalage.

24 Mar 99 - 04:59 PM (#65673)
Subject: RE: I left Rome for Laylargay's sake
From: Penny

Think it's based on the story of Maximus (Maxen Wledig in Welsh tradition) who took the legions to Gaul to set himself up against the official eastern emperors.

24 Mar 99 - 07:55 PM (#65713)
Subject: RE: I left Rome for Laylargay's sake
From:

Thanks so very much for helping out a guy who's new to the system. Hey, it could be worse! I really am clueless. The real proof of that is the computer I use! Mikal