Origins: There Was a Princess Long Ago

Subject: Origins: There Was a Princess Long Ago
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jun 20 - 12:01 AM

Charlie Baum sang this tonight. It was inspiring. Anybody have background information or alternate lyrics?

There was a princess long ago,
Long ago, long ago
There was a princess long ago
Long, long ago

And she lived in a big high tower
A big high tower, a big high tower
And she lived in a big high tower
Long, long ago

A wicked fairy cast a spell,
Cast a spell, cast a spell
A wicked fairy cast a spell
Long, long ago

The princess slept for a hundred years
A hundred years, A hundred years
The princess slept for a hundred years
Long, long ago

A big, tall forest grew around
Grew around, grew around
A big, tall forest grew around
Long, long ago

A handsome prince came riding by
Riding by, riding by
A handsome prince came riding by
Long, long ago

He drew his sword and cut it down
Cut it down, cut it down
He drew his sword and cut it down
Long, long ago

He woke the princess with a kiss
With a kiss, with a kiss
He woke the princess with a kiss
Long, long ago

And everybody’s happy now
Happy now, happy now
And everybody’s happy now
Long, long ago

Subject: RE: Origins: There Was a Princess Long Ago
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 28 Jun 20 - 04:50 AM

It's a nursery rhyme/children's singing game based on Sleeping Beauty
SEE HERE
Jim

Subject: RE: Origins: There Was a Princess Long Ago
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jun 20 - 08:01 PM

Further to Jim's post, this may be of help.

https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/there-was-a-lovely-princess

Subject: RE: Origins: There Was a Princess Long Ago
From: Mo the caller
Date: 30 Jun 20 - 08:05 AM

I certainly knew it as a child though whether I learnt it in the playground or at GLB cadets I cant remember.
Slightly different words (basically the same) and same tune.
Watching that reminded me that we did those actions to the verse
'he cut the forest with his sword' too.
London late 1940s.