Lyr Req: I'll Mount the Air on Swallow's Wings

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'll mount the air on swallow's wings
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 12:12 PM

With the caveat that as soon as you mention Bedlam round here, people will start going on about 'Boys of Bedlam' regardless of whether or not is has anything to do with the question asked (and usually it doesn't), see also the following:

A Maid in Bedlam   from a revival recording; prior source not named.

Song: I love my love   includes historical information from Bruce Olson, and a text with tune. No source of any kind is credited for the latter, but it was copied from Inglish Gundry's Kanow Kernow. Gundry got it from the Journal of the Folk-Song Society II (6) 1905, 93-4. The tune was noted by Edward Quintrell, organist of Helston Parish Church, from a Mr J Boaden at Cury Cross Lanes, May 1905. Mr Boaden, who had learned the song from a Mr Curry many years before, had forgotten most of the words; so a garland text was used in the Journal.

There are several other threads on the song, but these contain no additional information. Note that the midi linked to from the DT file belongs to a completely different and unrelated song that happens to begin (as do many songs) 'Abroad As I Was Walking'.

The late Bruce Olson considered that 'Maid in Bedlam' was modelled on an older song, 'The Black's Lamentation'. Both texts are transcribed at his website:

Bedlam

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MAID OF BEDLAM (from Bodleian)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 08:52 AM

The Roud index, #578 cites this as a related song:

From The Bodleian Library Ballads Catalog, Firth c.18(139)

THE MAID OF BEDLAM.

One morning very early, one morning in the spring,
I heard a maid in Bedlam, who mournfully did sing;
Her chain she rattled on her hands, while sweetly thus sung she—
I love my love because I know my love loves me.

Oh, cruel was his parents, who sent my love to sea,
And cruel, cruel was the ship that bore my love from me,
Yet I love his parents, since they're his, altho' they've ruined me;
And I love my love because I know my love loves me.

Oh, should it please the pitying powers to call me to the sky,
I'd claim a guardian angel's charge, around my love to fly!
To guard him from all dangers, how happy should I be!
For I love my love because I know my love loves me.

I'll make a strong garland. I'll make it wondrous fine,
With roses, lilies, daisies, I'll mix the eglantine,
And I'll present it to my love when he returns from sea
For I love my love because I know my love loves me.

Oh, if I were a little bird to build upon his breast;
Or if I were a nightingale, to sing my love to rest,
To gaze upon his lovely eyes, all my reward should be;
For I love my love because I know my love loves me.

Oh, if I were an eagle to soar into the sky,
I'd gaze around with piercing eyes, where I my love would spy
But ah, unhappy maiden, that love you ne'er shall see;
Yet I love my love because I know my love loves me.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'LL MOUNT THE AIR ON SWALLOWS WINGS
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 08:27 AM

Here's the text from Folkinfo.org. It has only one verse:

I'LL MOUNT THE AIR ON SWALLOWS WINGS

I'll mount the air on swallow's wings to find my dearest dear,
And if I lose my labour and cannot find him there,
I quickly will become a fish to search the roaring sea.
I love my love because I know my lover he loves me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'll mount the air on swallow's wings
From: Peace
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 12:21 AM

Thanks, Malcolm. Machine just wouldna do it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'll mount the air on swallow's wings
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 09:12 PM

A direct link: I'll Mount the Air on Swallow's Wings

Be sure also to look at the related discussion there, which provides some background to Mrs Crawford's fragment.

Did the arranger of the violin piece mention where they got the melody?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'll mount the air on swallow's wings
From: Peace
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 01:58 PM

PS, it also provides a music sheet for the melody.

Best wishes to you.

BM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'll mount the air on swallow's wings
From: Peace
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 01:57 PM

Folkinfo - Display Song
I'll mount the air on swallow's wings To find my dearest dear. And if I lose my labour And cannot find him there. I quickly will become a fish ...
www.folkinfo.org/songs/displaysong.php?songid=439



It is there. Cannot make a link. Find it with a Google of


www.folkinfo.org/songs/displaysong.php?songid=439

Subject: Lyr Req: I'll mount the air on swallow's wings
From: Menolly
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 01:50 PM

I have come across a violin duet called "I'll mount the air on swallow's wing" described as a Dorset Folk Song.
Anyone have the words for it?
Thanks