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

Thanks for the reference to the Ballad Tree CD.

Edmund