The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #157768   Message #3725818
Posted By: MGM·Lion
24-Jul-15 - 10:59 AM
Thread Name: Origins: 'Wedlock' song (Adam and Eve)
Subject: ADD: When Adam Was Created
See

folkopedia.efdss.org/wiki/When_Adam_was_created

for Cecil Sharp Appalachian collection of this song, which I learned in the 60s from a record of an American woman singer whose name I regret to have forgotten; but remember singing it at the 1970s wedding of Fred Woods, editor of Folk Review, to his wife Monica [Nicky].
The Copper Family have a Sussex version of it -- second track of Disc 3 of their famous 4LP set of 1971 -- Leader LEA 4048. Also in Bob's first Sussex book, A Song For Every Season, Heinemann 1971.

≈M≈


Lyrics copy-pasted from link above. -Joe Offer-


Roud 728

collected by Cecil Sharp from Reverend Jasper Robertson, Burnsville, North Carolina, 1916.

Words and music in Eighty English Folk Songs


WHEN ADAM WAS CREATED
  1. When Adam was created he dwelled in Eden’s shade
    As Moses has related before his bride was made
    Ten thousand times ten thousand of creatures swarmed around
    Before his bride was formed or animate was found

  2. He had no conversation, he seemed like one alone
    Then to his admiration he found he’d lost a bone
    Great was his exaltation when first he saw his bride
    Great was his elevation to see her by his side

  3. This woman was not taken from Adam’s head, we know
    And she must not rule over him, ‘tis evidently so
    This woman was not taken from Adam’s feet we see
    And he must not abuse her, the meaning seems to be

  4. This woman she was taken from under Adam’s arms
    And she must be protected from hunger and from harm
    This woman she was taken from near to Adam’s heart
    By this we are directed that they must never part

  5. To you most loving bridegroom, to you most loving bride
    be sure you live as Christians and for your house provide
    Avoid all discontent and don’t sow the seeds of strife
    As is the solemn duty of every man and wife