Lyr Add: Blackbirds and Thrushes Archie Fisher

Subject: Lyr Add: Blackbirds and Thrushes Archie Fisher
From: GUEST,Helen Swan
Date: 13 Mar 19 - 01:59 PM

Hi folks. This beautiful song is a wonderful addition to the 'blackbirds and thrushes' list. As far as I know, there is one version only of Archie singing his own song, on youtube. I am posting the words as I have them below. It's hard to believe it's not on mudcat, but I can't find it here, or anywhere else. Do add it to your spring repertoire. Problem: I cannot hear what is the last line! So I have added what I sing.

BLACKBIRDS AND THRUSHES by ARCHIE FISHER
If all the young ladies were blackbirds and thrushes,
   Sing merry, sing merry, oh fly not away;
I'd find me a garden full of green flowering bushes
Wherein they may nest in the sweet month of May
With lilac and cherries
   and autumn's red berries
And ah, they'd sing merry
   At dawn, eve and day.

And if all the young ladies were birds in my spinney
   Sing clearly, sing clearly, oh fly not from me;
Not a thrush would I part with for ten golden guineas,
Nor barter a blackbird for a pearl of the sea
I'd love them so dearly
   So late and so early,
And ah, they'd sing clearly
   At dawn, day and eve.

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

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Blackbirds and Thrushes Archie Fisher
From: leeneia
Date: 13 Mar 19 - 07:21 PM

Thanks for those lovely lyrics, Helen. I see what you mean about that last line.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Blackbirds and Thrushes Archie Fisher
From: leeneia
Date: 14 Mar 19 - 11:02 PM

I think the first verse ends with:

   And will ye sing merry at the dawning of day.

I admit it changes from third person to second.

I think I hear the word 'look' at the end of the second verse, but it's so darn soft.