One needs to be a little careful with some of the words in Sharp's 100 English Folk Songs. There are a number of typos in the book.

For example, in "The Unquiet Grave," one verse goes

O down in yonder grave, sweetheart,
Where we were wont to walk;
The fairest flower that ever I saw
Is witherèd to a stalk.

Walking "in yonder grave" makes no sense at all, especially in the context of the rest of the verse (and the song in general). You are not very likely to find "the fairest flower that ever I saw" while walking in a grave. Not exactly what I would call a very good place for a romantic encounter. Yet, many singers, including Joan Baez, have recorded this ballad exactly as it appears in 100 English Folk Songs. Apparently without thinking about what they're singing, but just slavishly following what's printed.

Obviously, the line should read

O down in yonder grove, sweetheart. . . .

I've heard other singers sing it this way (e.g., Andrew Rowan Summers), which makes a lot more sense.

I haven't surveyed the whole book, but I have found a number of other typos. I would say that any time you encounter an odd-ball word or two, or a line that doesn't seem to make sense, it's a good idea to research it. If it isn't correct, usually you can judiciously fix it yourself. Or if it is correct, you can learn something you didn't know before.

Don Firth