The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #6175   Message #1320302
Posted By: Singing Referee
08-Nov-04 - 07:40 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: I Wandered by a Brookside
Subject: RE: LYR. ADD: I WANDERED BY A BROOKSIDE
Thanks Breezy.

I only knew the Eva Cassidy version in which she only sings two verses. But seeing that it was attributed by her as traditional and not knowing any other tradional song with only two verses (22 perhaps!) I guessed her's was an abridged version and set out to find some more. I soon found the Barbara Berry version, but also found a poem by, Richard Monckton Milnes (Lord Houghton) c 1850, which was recognisably of the same origins, although as none of the dates are precise it's not clear whether the song collected originated from this poem, or perhaps vice versa. This poem contained an additional verse which I have adapted slightly (to fit the metre of the song).

At the moment, I can't find the full version of the poem anymore, but I'll keep looking and will publish it if I do.

Anyway, here's the third verse of my version of the song.

She came not, no she came not, the night came on alone.
The evening stars grew brighter, each on its shining throne.
The evening breeze blew stronger, the leaves above they stirred,
But the beating of my own heart was the only sound I heard,
The beating of my own heart was the only sound I heard.