Hi there,

I just listened in on Dervish recordings and wanted to get the lyrics to "The Lovers Token". When I couldn't find them on the web, I decided to write them down myself from what I could make out from the Dervish Album, so others would find the lyrics on the web. I've never posted before, so I hope I do everything right. So here they are:


THE LOVERS TOKEN
(As found on Dervish's "The Thrush in the Storm")

Down by the seaside where the ships were a-sailin',
I spied a fair maid; she was a-weepin' and wailin'.
I steppéd up to her and said, what is it now that grieves thee?
She answered me and said, there is but one can relieve me.

It's seven long years since my love and I parted.
He left me alone on the shore broken-hearted,
But he said he would return again if life was not deprived him,
And in his absence I shall mourn as though death has bereaved him.

Your love and I fought under the one commander.
We were fighting for Georgia like the great Alexander,
But your lover, he received a shot from a fair higher power,
And there upon the spot he died and was buried the same hour.

But before your love died, his heart it was broken.
He gave me a gold ring, saying it was your love token.
Saying, take this home to her, he said, for there's no one fairer,
And tell her to prove true and her love give the bearer.

Oh, be gone, you false man; you may follow your charms,
For if I am left alone, I will please my own fancy.
If cruel death disorced(?) me I will wed with no stranger.
To the greenest isle I will roam and become a bold ranger.

Then he turned himself around, and she was surprised,
For she knew her own love, though he was disguised.
Then they both sat down to sing, oh, but she did sing the clearest,
Like the blackbird in the spring, saying you're welcome, my dearest.

Now this couple are wed and live happy together.
They're united by love, and of guns will never sever.
They've proved constant and proved true, and they're both loyal-hearted,
And no more they think about the time when by the wars they were parted.


Best regards
Sarah