The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #12459   Message #98160
Posted By: dulcimer
22-Jul-99 - 04:48 PM
Thread Name: ADD: Lass of Richmond Hill
Subject: RE: LYR REQ:Lass of Richmond Hill
Nogs--Ihave it in a songbook of the British Isles published in the 1880's. There are some variations from your post.

1st Verse-- On Richmond Hill there lives a lass//More Bright than May-day morn,//Whose charms all other maids surpass//A rose without a thorn.

The chorus at the end of each of the three verses (see Bert's post for the other two) is--This lass so neat, with smiles so sweet,//Has won my right good will,...//I'd crowns resign to call thee mine,//Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill,//Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill,//Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill, I'd crowns resign to call thee mine, Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill.

In other words, your second verse is really part of the chorus in the version I have. History--written by Leonard McNally (b. 1752) in honor of Miss Janson of Richmond Hill who he married in 1787. The song was written by Mr. Hook and was in vogue when Handel was in London (similar to his Heavens are Telling). The song was a favorite of George III.