Lyr Req: I Must Away

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Must Away
From: nigelgatherer
Date: 23 Jul 21 - 03:46 AM

Thank you, The Sandman and maeve, it is most appreciated.

I have listened to many versions of this song over the years, but I was keen to figure out what Charlotte Higgins was singing, as there are some differences from, for example, Norman Kennedy's. The temptation I try to resist is to substitute what she actually sang with what I think she might have meant.

It's possible that Norman Kennedy got the song from Jeannie Robertson - who lived across the road while he was growing up - or Davey Stewart, whose setting is close.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Must Away
From: maeve
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 02:08 PM

Here's what I hear:

I MUST AWAY
sung by Charlotte Higgins

1. I must away, I can stay no longer;
This morning's tempest I have to face.
And over the high hills I'll rove with pleasure
Until my arms I love my dear.

2. And when he did come to his true love's window,
He kneelded low down upon a stone;
And through the window (with a long "i"), he whispered slowly,
Is my true love alone within?

3. She lofted her head off yon soft down pillow,
And *[Seems to have forgotten the words here]...lily-white breast;
And through the window she whispered slowly,
How's(who's) disturbing me of my night's rest?

4. O rise, o rise, it's your own true lover,
O rise and open, and let me in.
For I am wet, love, besides I'm weary,
I am wet, love, unto the skin.

5. Up she had got with the greatest of plaisure,
She opened the door and she let him in;
So they both claspit into each other's arms ("arems"),
Till this long night was past and gone.

6. And when this long night was past and over,
And all the small birds began to crow,
So they both shook hands and they kissed and parted
He sounded his bugle and away did go.

*For the forgotten line I'd suggest Norman Kennedy's "She's lifted the blankets from off her (lily white) breast"
Norman Kennedy's version in the DT

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Must Away
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 01:02 PM

How about looking at other versions, but kissed and parted makes sense and is the same meaning as in other versions. i would suggest for the other,
into the arms i love so dear

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Must Away
From: nigelgatherer
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 12:02 PM

Thanks, GUEST, at least it's confirmation of what I hear.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Must Away
From: GUEST,#
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 09:56 AM

Nigel, what I hear is

1) And over the high hills I rove with lightness
Until my arms I love my dear.

6)      It's a mystery to me, sorry.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Must Away
From: nigelgatherer
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 07:01 AM

I hadn't noticed that I had been logged out. The above post is from me.

Nigel Gatherer

Subject: Lyr Req: I Must Away
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 06:58 AM

There is a recording of Charlotte Higgins singing "I Must Away" - perhaps more common known as "Night Visiting Song" - at www.tobarandualchais.co.uk. It was recorded in 1955 by Maurice Fleming. I have been trying to make out the words, and I wonder if anyone would be prepared to listen and suggest any changes to what I've got so far?

I MUST AWAY
sung by Charlotte Higgins

1. I must away, I can stay no longer;
This morning's tempest I have to see.
And over the high hills I rove with [lightness?]
Until my arms I love [have?] my dear.

2. And when he did come to his true love's window,
He kneeled it low down upon a stone;
And through the window, he whispered slowly,
It's my true love alone within?

3. She lifted her head off yon soft down pillow,
And thrown her arms roond he lily-white breast;
And through the window she whispered slowly,
How's thee disturbing me of my night's rest?

4. O rise, o rise, it's your own true lover,
O rise and open, and let me in.
For I am wet, love, besides I'm weary,
I am wet, love, unto the skin.

5. Up she had got with the greatest of plaisure,
She opened the door and she let him in;
So they both claspit into each other's arms,
Till the slow night was fast and gone.

6. But when this long night was fast and over,
And all the small birds began to crow,
So they both shook hands and they kissed in [parting?]
He sounded his bugle and away did go.