From the Wiltshire Council Website, >https://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getfolk.php?id=615

Folk Song Information

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Book Title

Author

Date

Notes

Song Title	Lass of Richmond Hill
Roud No.	1246
Collected From	Thorne, James
Location	Langford
County	Oxfordshire
Collected By	Williams, Alfred
Alternative Title
Tune
Date
Source Primary	WSRO: 2598/36 Packet 2 - Oxfordshire: Williams, A: MS collection No Ox 281
Source Secondary	Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 8th July, 1916, p 3, Part 36, No. 4: Williams, A: Folk songs of the upper Thames, 1923 p 70
Recording
Song Lyrics

LASS OF RICHMOND HILL

Verse 1
On Richmond hill there lives a lass,
More bright than May-day Morn,
All other maidens she'd surpass -
A rose without a thorn;
This lass so sweet, with smiles so sweet,
Has won my right good-will,
I'll crowns resign to call her mine -
Sweet lass of Richmond Hill.

Chorus

Sweet lass of Richmond Hill,
Sweet lass of Richmond Hill,
I'll crowns resign to call her mine -
Sweet lass of Richmond Hill.

Verse 2

Ye zephyrs gay that fan the air,
And wander through the grove,
O whisper to my charming fair,
I die for her, my love:
How happily will the shepherd be,
Who calls this nymph his own!
O may her choice be fixed on me!
Mine's fixed on her alone.

Chorus Notes Note 1

Williams, Alfred: Ms / WGS / FSUT: 'The Lass of Richmond Hill is very well known and figures in several collections of old songs. The following copy was current at Langford, which was formerly noted for its various activities, viz in music, wrestling and back-sword play. Words obtained of James Thorne, Langford, near Lechlade.'

Note 2

In the file is a fair copy of the text by Williams and another copy in pencil in the hand of James Thorne who writes, 'May 28th, 1916 To Mr Williams. Dear sir sorry i was not at home when you called but i have wrote the song you wanted the same as i used to sing it hope you will get it alright what lovely weather we are having Yours truly James Thorn Langford nr Lechlade Glos'.

James Thorne does not use the capital 'I', or any punctuation in his letter.

Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2010.