"Singer's Request" was recorded on Folk-Legacy CD-121, For All the Good People: A Golden Ring Reunion, in 1992. Here are the lyrics and notes from the CD booklet. The lyrics are just a bit different from what you'll find in the Digital Tradition version. The DT version was a by-ear transcription from a concert.

SINGER'S REQUEST
(Nic Jones/anon.)
Leading Note Publishers.

CHORUS
Dark the night and long till day; do not bid us further stray.
Dark the night and long till day; do not bid us further stray.

Now the sun it doth decline; pour the beer and pour the wine.
We can lead your thoughts astray from the world and from the day.
CHORUS

We sing songs of history, love and war and mystery.
We can lead you from despair, or can chill the darkening air.
CHORUS

You may choose to pass us by with a cruel or scornful eye.
We will see the ending through, then we'll turn and say to you:
CHORUS


Sandy Paton's Notes:

Cathy, Ed and I learned this song from Joanie Bronfman and Neal MacMillan at their home in Boston in 1985, and we sang it for the remainder of what was a very memorable and productive New England tour. Joanie and Neal got it from Nic Jones’ recording, From the Devil to a Stranger, on Highway Records. (DP) I’m told that this is a poem by Sir Walter Scott entitled “The Minstrel’s Request,” revised and set to an old melody. We find that it has the kind of chorus folk audiences learn quickly and sing with great enthusiasm. (SP)

---

Dennis Cook did the transcription for the Digital Tradition. Here's the DT version:

SINGER'S REQUEST
(Nic Jones)

Chorus:
Dark the night and long til day
Do not bid us further stray
Dark the night and long til day
Do not bid us further stray.

Now the sun it doth decline
Pour the beer and pour the wine,
We can lead your thoughts astray
From the world or from the day

We bring songs of history,
Love and war and mystery
We can lead you from despair
Or can cheer the darkening air

You can choose to pass us by
With a cruel or scornful eye
We will see the ending through,
Then we'll turn and say to you...


got off the tape of the Ed Trickett, Cathy Barton, and Dave
Para Concert for FSGW. First heard Bob Walser do it at
Indian Neck, 1984. Based on a text by Sir Walter Scott, on
Nic Jones' album A Devil to A Stranger.

filename[ SINGERRQ
DC

---

I have this song on a CD titled Trad Arr Jones, by John Wesley Harding. Harding's lyrics are closer to the DT version. Anybody have the actual, definitive lyrics by Nic Jones?