ADD: The Love Token / Down by the Seaside

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LOVERS TOKEN (from Dervish)
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 10:55 AM

Hi there,

I just listened in on Dervish recordings and wanted to get the lyrics to "The Lovers Token". When I couldn't find them on the web, I decided to write them down myself from what I could make out from the Dervish Album, so others would find the lyrics on the web. I've never posted before, so I hope I do everything right. So here they are:


THE LOVERS TOKEN
(As found on Dervish's "The Thrush in the Storm")

Down by the seaside where the ships were a-sailin',
I spied a fair maid; she was a-weepin' and wailin'.
I steppéd up to her and said, what is it now that grieves thee?
She answered me and said, there is but one can relieve me.

It's seven long years since my love and I parted.
He left me alone on the shore broken-hearted,
But he said he would return again if life was not deprived him,
And in his absence I shall mourn as though death has bereaved him.

Your love and I fought under the one commander.
We were fighting for Georgia like the great Alexander,
But your lover, he received a shot from a fair higher power,
And there upon the spot he died and was buried the same hour.

But before your love died, his heart it was broken.
He gave me a gold ring, saying it was your love token.
Saying, take this home to her, he said, for there's no one fairer,
And tell her to prove true and her love give the bearer.

Oh, be gone, you false man; you may follow your charms,
For if I am left alone, I will please my own fancy.
If cruel death disorced(?) me I will wed with no stranger.
To the greenest isle I will roam and become a bold ranger.

Then he turned himself around, and she was surprised,
For she knew her own love, though he was disguised.
Then they both sat down to sing, oh, but she did sing the clearest,
Like the blackbird in the spring, saying you're welcome, my dearest.

Now this couple are wed and live happy together.
They're united by love, and of guns will never sever.
They've proved constant and proved true, and they're both loyal-hearted,
And no more they think about the time when by the wars they were parted.


Best regards
Sarah

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Lyrics: The Lover's Token
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 12:45 PM

The Roud index has 17 instances of this song.

I have a folk club recording of a different version from that quoted by Sarah. The singer's name was not noted, unfortunately. While recognisably the same song, it has many differences from the above words. It ends with
"You're welcome home my dearest"
so I can't help with the last lines of the above version.

Richard

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Lyrics: The Lover's Token
From: Reinhard
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 02:10 PM

I think this is Roud 2733, Down By the Seaside and not Roud 604, The Welcome Sailor. The song description: "Seaside : Ships sailing : Pretty maid weeping : Lover away seven long years : We fought under one commander : He's dead : Broken ring as token : Lover in disguise" fits quite well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Lyrics: The Lover's Token
From: Reinhard
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 02:21 PM

According to the (googled) sleeve notes, Dervish learnt this song from the singing of Frank Harte. He sang it on his 2001 album with Donal Lunny, "My Name is Napoleon Bonaparte: Traditional Songs on Napoleon Bonaparte" as "The Love Token". The Musical Traditions review of this album noted on this song:

Another supposed battle casualty appears in this ballad, though of the spiteful sort who gallivants around Europe for several years before returning to test his lover's fidelity. Frank learned the song from John Kennedy, but he is finding new powers of elasticity in suggesting that it has anything at all to do with the Napoleonic Wars. The only possible reference is contained in this couplet:

    Well your love and I fought, under the one commander
    We were fighting for George, like the great Alexander

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Lyrics: The Lover's Token
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 03:44 PM

Reinhard is correct, the song is "Down by the Seaside.
See Creighton, Maritime Folk Songs, p. 58

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Lyrics: The Lover's Token
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 03:57 PM

Several songs, "Down by the seaside." The one Roud used is needed.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Lyrics: The Lover's Token
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 04:45 PM

Reinhard said
I think this is Roud 2733, Down By the Seaside and not Roud 604, The Welcome Sailor.

Yes, I think you're right -- but there is quite a lot in common between these two. Presumably whichever came later recycled some lines from the earlier one.

Richard

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 08:24 PM

The Traditional Ballad Index doesn't have anything for Roud 2733. Their listing for "Down by the Seaside" is Roud 1712. Looking at Roud 1712, it first appeared that George Maynard of Sussex was the only source (recorded by Peter Kennedy), although I found a very nice recording by Shirley Collins on The Folk Collection CD. Helen Creighton also found the song in Nova Scotia, and included it in Maritime Folk Songs. Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry for Roud 1712, which does not seem to be a broken token song:

Down by the Seaside

DESCRIPTION: Singer meets young woman and asks her to walk with him. She declines; she's searching for her true love. Looking through an opera glass, she spies his ship; hearing that he has been shot, she despairs; if he died for honor, she will die for love
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1956 (recorded from George Maynard)
KEYWORDS: grief virtue love separation death ship lover sailor
FOUND IN: Britain(England(South))
Roud #1712
RECORDINGS:
George Maynard, "Down By the Seaside" (on Maynard1)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "John (George) Riley (I)" (part of plot, lyrics) and cross-references there
cf. "Susan Strayed on the Briny Beach [Laws K19]" (plot)
NOTES: This is a conundrum; it starts out as a classic John-Riley-lover-in-disguise ballad, but halfway through does not take the usual sharp turn of revealing the stranger to be the lover returned. Instead, it proceeds in a straight line to the young man's death and the woman's bereavement. - PJS
File: RcDBTSS

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 09:27 PM

Lyr' Add: DOWN BY THE SEASIDE
(The Broken Ring song)

Down by the seaside where the ships were a-sailing\I spied a pretty maid, she was weeping and wailing.
Says I, "My pretty maid, what is it that grieves you?"
But the answer that she gave:- "There is no one can relieve me.

2
"It's been seven long years since my love and I parted,
He left me on shore almost broken-hearted,
And he said that he'd return if his life was but spared him.
Like a dove now I'll mourn since death has deprived him."
3
"Your true love and I fought under one commander,
We fought for our lives and for old England's honour,
Until that unlucky spot where your love and I parted,
But the best of it all was he died loyal-hearted.
4
"Here is a gold ring, 'twas his last parting token,
"Take this to my love since the vows are all broken,
Tell her to be true and to love well the bearer,
Tell her to be true for I vow there's none fairer'."
5
"Begone, you false man and look out for your chances,
I will bid all my love and all his advances,
Since death has served me so I will ne'er wed a stranger,
To the wild woods I'll go and become a woods ranger."
6
But when that he saw she was so loyal-hearted
He flew into her arms saying, "No more we'll be parted,"
They both sat down to sing, but she sang the clearest,
Like a nightingale in the spring saying, "You're welcome home, dearest."

Millville, New Brunswick, 1953.
"This is a rare variation on the broken ring theme. P. 58, with musical score and chords.

Helen Creighton, 1979, "Maritime Folk Songs," Breakwater Press.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 09:48 PM

Lyr. Add: BROKEN RING SONG
(Down by the Seaside theme)

1
As I was walking in the garden
I saw a lady passing by,
And when I saw her I stepped up to her
And said, "Fair lady, will you fancy I?"
2
Oh you're a man of high opinion,
And I'm a girl of low degree,
Some other fair lady will be your companion
For I'm not fit for your servant to be.
3
"If you're not fit for my servant to be
I'll hire a servant to wait on thee,
And if I wed thee I will maintain thee
Just like a man of high degree."
4
"Once I had a loving sweetheart
And seven long years since I did him see,
And seven more will I wait upon him
To see if he will return to me."
5
He put his hand into his pocket,
His fingers being genteel and small,
He pulled out a ring that was broken between them
And when she saw it she down did fall.
6
He stooped low to pick his love up,
He gave her kisses two or three,
Saying. "I am your true love, a single sailor
Who has just come back for to marry thee."
7
"If you're my true love, a single sailor
Your looks and features don't agree,
But seven years makes an alteration,
And seven long years since I did you see."
8
And now they go to church together
And join the bands of unity,
He stays at home and takes his ease
And he goes no more on the raging sea.

Bridgewater, N. S., 1953.
P. 59, with musical score and chords.

Mrs. Creighton remarks that a folk opera, "The Broken Ring," is based on the song. Several other versions have been collected in the Maritimes.

Helen Creighton, 1979, "Maritime Folk Songs," Breakwater Press.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 25 Dec 13 - 02:04 PM

Lyr. Add: THE BROKEN WEDDING RING
Cowboy version; MS. Hendron 340

A cowboy with his sweetheart stood beneath a starlit sky,
Tomorrow he was leaving for the lonesome prairie wide.

She said, "I'll be your loving bride when you return some day."
He handed her a broken ring and to her he did say:

"You'll find upon that ring, sweetheart, my name engraved in gold,
And I will keep the other half, which has your name you know."

He went away to ride and toil, this cowbow brave and bold,
But long he stayed and while he strayed the maiden's love grew cold.

Three years had passed, he did not come, and Nell will wed tonight.
Her father said an earl would make her happy home so bright.

The lights were gaily glowing as they stood there side by side,
"Let's drink a toast to this yopung man and to his lovely bride."

Jus then there stood within the door a figure tall and slim,
A handsome cowboy was their guest and slowly he walked in.

"I'll drink with you a toast, " said he, and quickly in her glass
He dropped his half of wedding ring, then anxiously he watched.

She tipped her glass and from her lips a ring fell shining bright,
The token she had longed to see lay there beneath the light.

"Tho' years have been between us, dear, love has won out last long fight,
It's you, my cowboy sweetheart, and my Jack I'll wed tonight."

P. 104, no musical score.

Fife & Fife, BALLADS OF THE GREAT WEST, 1970, American West Pub.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token (Broken Ring)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Dec 13 - 05:18 PM

Interestingly, although these songs do seem to be related, the ring is not broken in some of these "broken ring" songs.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token (Broken Ring)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 25 Dec 13 - 11:11 PM

Thanks for your efforts, Sarah.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token (Broken Ring)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Dec 13 - 11:37 AM

Roud 2733 is "All alone by the seaside."
First line, All lone by the seaside he has left me."

Mrs. Nola Browne, Alabama Folk lyric (1979), pp. 244-246 version A
Coll. Ray B. Browne.

Subject: ADD Version: The Lover's Token (Broken Ring)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Dec 13 - 12:11 PM

Checking Mudcat for 'broken token' songs, there are two that fit.
"The Broken Token" in the DT (walking in a garden) is similar to "The Broken Ring" song posted above, from the Canadian Maritimes. Also, in the DT, "Fair Maid Walking" (Sharp, S. Appalachians) is the same song as "The Broken Token."

I looked up Roud 2733, and found the lyric, but the sailor does not return and there is no 'token'.

ALL ALONE BY THE SEASIDE
Alabama

All alone by the seaside he has left me,
And no other bride I'll be,
For tonight I am a widow
In our cottage by the sea,

He told me I'd be happy
But no happiness I see,
For tonight I am a widow
In the cottage by the sea.

He told me he would always love me,
And how happy we would be.
But tonight I am a widow
In the cottage by the sea.

All alone by the seaside I am watching,
Waiting for his return.
But tonight I am a widow
In our cottage by the sea,

Pp. 244-245, with musical score.
Mrs. Nola Browne, 1951; "she has sung it for the last fifty years."

No. 93, "Widow in the Cottage by the Sea, version A,"
in Ray B. Browne, 1979, "The Alabama Folk Lyric," Bowling Green University Popular Press.

Ray B. Browne

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token (Broken Ring)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Dec 13 - 12:27 PM

Reinhard also suggested Roud 604, "The Welcome Sailor" Ashton, Real Sailor Songs (1894),No. 4. This one I have not seen, but it seems to be similar to "Down By the Seaside," from the Canadian Maritimes, posted above.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token (Broken Ring)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Dec 13 - 02:42 PM

Rennick (discussed in Cazden et al.) classified texts devoted to a long-absent lover; 25, broken-ring versions Form 1.
These he named "Johnny Riley."
A 17th C. broadside, "The Valiant Seaman's Happy Return to His Love," seems to be the first of this form (Roxburghe Coll.).

Here is a version from George Edwards, Catskills.

Lyr. Add: JOHNNY RILEY

1
As I walked forth in my father's garden
A worthy young gentleman I spied.
All for to court me, drew nigh unto me,
Saying, "Pretty fair maid, can't you fancy me."
2
"I would take you to be a man of honor,
A gentleman I'd take you to be;
How can you ask a poor girl to marry
that is not fitten your bride to be"?
3
"If you're not fitten my bride to be,
Then you are fitten my servant-wife to be.
And if you will only consent to marry,
You shall have servants to wait on thee."
4
She says, "Kind sir, if I must plainly tell you
I might have been married of long years ago
To one by name Johnny Riley,
'Twas he proved my overthrow.
5
"It's seven long years since he left this valley,
And seven more I'll wait for his return;
No other man shall ever adore me,
'Twas all for him my heart did yearn."
6
"Perhaps he's drownded in the ocean,
Perhaps he's in a battle slew,
Or perhaps he's married to some fair lady
And never will return to you."
7
"Well.f he is drownded, may God wish him happy,
Or if he's in a battle slew,
Or if he's married to some fair lady
I can love the lady he's married to."
8
When he saw her love was lawful
He thought if God pity she should be wrong:
He slipped his hand all in his pocket,
His fingers they were long and strong.
9
Pulled out the gold ring broken between them;
Down in the garden the maid did fall.
He picked her up all in his ar-rums,
Gave her kisses one, two and three.
10
Saying, "Mary, oh don't you know me?
I'm your jolly John, just come home from the sea!"
He picked her up all in his ar-rums
And gave her kisses one, two and three.

With musical score, pp. 107-109; Cazden, Haufrecht, Studer, 1980, "Folk Songs of the Catskills," State Univ. New York Press.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token (Broken Ring)
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 28 Dec 13 - 06:31 AM

Meant to post this earlier but Christmas got in the way
While researching the notes for our Traveller CD 'From Puck to Appleby' Pat stumbled across what we believe to be the answer to an enigma connected to these broken-token songs - the problem of breaking a gold ring in half - try it sometime!
Gimmell rings were designed specifically as tokens (pacts) of fidelity.
They broke apart into two or sometimes three parts, a piece held by the lovers, a third sometimes given to a witness as proof of a promise of marriage.
They feature widely in English literature. particularly in Hardy's 'Far From the Madding Crowd', where Sergeant Troy buys one at a fair for his ill-fated lover Fanny.
Robert Chambers gives a long Detailed description of the custom in his 'Book of Days'
Happy New Year all
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token (Broken Ring)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Dec 13 - 01:33 PM

Thanks, Jim. I couldn't find a reference to the custom in Google.

I was thinking, a nine pound hammer and a cold chisel.....

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token (Broken Ring)
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 29 Dec 13 - 04:37 AM

"I was thinking, a nine pound hammer and a cold chisel....."
I always had the picture of a feller wandering the countryside looking for women with a hacksaw stuck out of his back pocket.
I knew someone who had a beautifully elaborate gimmal ring made up of three parts, which slotted together perfectly into a single piece, but the 19th century ones were often cheaply made, some of them with crude decorations which lined up when placed together
You used to be able to get quite nice ones from shops like Past Times, nowadays you can pay the earth for one in a good jewelers.
I have an article on the rings, their history and the custom, along with illustration - be happy to pass it on to anybody interested.
Jim Carroll

This is the note we did for Wexford Traveller, Mary Cash's version of 'Lady in her Father's Garden' on 'From Puck to Appleby'

"This is probably one of the most popular of all the 'broken token' songs, in which parting lovers are said to break a ring in two, each half being kept by the man and woman. At their reunion, the man produces his half as a proof of his identity.
Robert Chambers, in his Book of Days, 1862-1864, describes a betrothal custom using a 'gimmal' or linked ring:
'Made with a double and sometimes with a triple link, which turned upon a pivot, it could shut up into one solid ring... It was customary to break these rings asunder at the betrothal which was ratified in a solemn manner over the Holy Bible, and sometimes in the presence of a witness, when the man and woman broke away the upper and lower rings from the central one, which the witness retained. When the marriage contract was fulfilled at the altar, the three portions of the ring were again united, and the ring used in the ceremony'.
These 'broken token' songs often end with the woman flinging herself into the returned lover's arms and welcoming him back, but the above version has it differently and, Mary Delaney, who also sang it for us, had the suitor even more firmly rejected:

"For it's seven years brings an alteration,
And seven more brings a big change to me,
Oh, go home young man, choose another sweetheart,
Your serving maid I'm not here to be."

Ref: The Book of Days, Robert Chambers, W & R Chambers, 1863-64.
Other CDs: Sarah Anne O'Neill - Topic TSCD660; Daisy Chapman - MTCD 308; Maggie Murphy - Veteran VT134CD.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Lover's Token (Broken Ring)
From: GUEST,Hanna
Date: 18 Jan 14 - 10:21 AM

The last lines, at least in the version by Dervish, following the lines given, go

They proved constant and proved true,
and they're both loyal hearted
and no more they think about the time
when for the wars they were parted

Sorry if this is late, or if this has already been said. I just love this song and I just found this site.

Subject: Lyr Req: The Love Token
From: SeaCanary
Date: 22 May 16 - 02:49 PM

Can anyone help me find the lyrics to the song The Love Token on Frank Harte's recording My Name Is Napoleon Bonaparte?

Subject: ADD: The Love Token (from Frank Harte)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 May 16 - 08:52 PM

Hi, SeaCanary. Here is a recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDZlbP_N44c

From My Name is Napoleon Bonaparte: Traditional Songs on Napoleon Bonaparte, by Frank Harte and Donal Lunny.

You'll find very similar songs above, so I've combined your thread with this one.

THE LOVE TOKEN

Down by the seaside where the ships were a-sailing,
I espied a fair maid; she was a-weeping and wailing.
I steppéd up to her and said, what is it now that grieves thee?
And she answered me and said, there is but one can relieve me.

For it's seven long years since my love and I parted.
He has left me alone on the shore broken-hearted,
And he said he would return again if his life was not deprived him,
And for his absence I will mourn, his cruel death has bereaved (is this word right?) him.

Well, your love and I fought under the one commander.
We were fighting for George like the great Alexander,
But your lover, he received a shot from a far higher power,
And there upon the spot he died that very same hour.

But before your love died, ere his heart it was broken.
He gave me this gold ring, saying it was your love token.
And take this home to her, he said, for there is no one fairer,
And tell her to prove true and her love give the bearer.

Oh, begone, you false man; you may follow your chances,
For if I'm left alone, I will please my own fancy.
If cruel death has so served me, I will wed with no stranger.
Through the greenwoods I will roam and become a wood ranger.

Then he turned himself around, and she was surpriséd,
For she knew her own true love, although he was disguiséd.
And they both sat down to sing, but was she that sang the clearest,
Like a blackbird in the spring, saying you're welcome, my dearest.

Now this couple they have wed and live happy together.
They're united in love, and love's bonds they'll not sever.
They've proved constant and lived (?) true; they were both loyal-hearted,
No more they think upon the time when by the wars they were parted.

[full disclosure: I took the post from of the lyrics from Dervish posted by Sarah in the other thread, and altered them to match the Harte recording. Dervish got their version from Frank Harte.]