The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #77241 Message #1377100
Posted By: CET
11-Jan-05 - 08:17 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Wife of Usher's Well:Carthy version
Subject: RE: Origins: Wife of Usher's Well:Carthy version
I have the sleeve notes (from a German website devoted to English folk music), so I was aware of the Basque tune, but I would like to know something about the words. I am particularly interested in the verses:
So she has laid the table With bread and with wine Come eat and drink my darling babes Eat and drink of mine
We may not eat your bread mother Nor may we drink your wine For cold death is lord of all To him we must resign
The green grass is at our head And the clay is at our feet And your tears come tumbling down And wet our winding sheet