The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #421 Message #507509
Posted By: GeorgeH
16-Jul-01 - 07:15 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Heather Down the Moor (from June Tabor)
Subject: Lyr Add: HEATHER DOWN THE MOOR (from June Tabor)
Her's what June sings. I believe she attributes her version to Eddie Butcher (but didn't have time to check the tape of her singing it where I think she makes that attribution.
I've tried to keep the lines to the phrasing June appears (to me!) to use, rather than regularising them. And I've left the chorus/refrain there in full ('cause I couldn't think of a neater alternative).
HEATHER DOWN THE MOOR (from June Tabor)
One morn in May When fields were gay Serene and pleasant was the weather I spied a lass And a very bonnie lass She was sweeping the dew from among the heather.
Down the moor And among the heather O'er the moor And through the heather And a very bonnie lass She was sweeping the dew from among the heather. Down the moor
Bare footed was she, She was comely dressed And her hat bore neither hat nor feather. She's a plaid wrapped neatly round her waist As she tripped through the blooming heather
Down the moor And among the heather O'er the moor And through the heather She's a plaid wrapped neatly round her waist As she tripped through the blooming heather Down the moor
I stepped up to this fair young maid, Tell me your name, Come tell me hither. She answered me "Down by the bonnie burn side" "And I'm herding of my ewes together."
Down the moor And among the heather O'er the moor And through the heather She answered me "Down by the bonnie burn side" "And I'm herding of my ewes together." Down the moor
I courted her that live-long day, My heart as light as any feather, Until the beams of the red-setting sun Come a-shining down amongst the heather.
Down the moor And among the heather O'er the moor And through the heather Until the beams of the red-setting sun Come a-shining down amongst the heather. Down the moor
She said "Young man, I must away," "My ewes are straying from each other," "But I'm as loath for to part with you" "As the bonnie wee lambs to part their mother."
Down the moor And among the heather O'er the moor And through the heather "But I'm as loath for to part with you" "As the bonnie wee lambs to part their mother." Down the moor
So up she got And away she went And her name and place I cannot gather But if I were a king I would make her a queen The bonnie lass I met in amongst the heather
Down the moor And among the heather O'er the moor And through the heather But if I were a king I would make her a queen The bonnie lass I met in amongst the heather Down the moor
HTH! As I said, she sings this at a cracking pace. The song, WITH an "instrumental verse", totals less than 3 minutes.