Lyr ADD: Shirley Collins Calvary Hill

Subject: Lyr Req: Shirley Collins Calvary Hill
From: GUEST,GreenwoodLassie
Date: 15 Nov 23 - 04:31 PM

I love Shirley Collins and on searching for the lyrics to Calvary Hill, I found that there’s no record of such a song on the internet. Mentions of different hymns called Calvert Hill seem to bear no resemblance at all to Shirley’s version.

I was wondering whether anyone knew the proper lyrics (as in some places it’s difficult to make out the words), other versions or the origins of the song?

Thanks :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Shirley Collins Calvary Hill
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Nov 23 - 05:08 PM

Thanks Joe, I probably should’ve mentioned that I transcribed the genius lyrics :,) and I’m not sure how well I did it!

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Shirley Collins Calvary Hill
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Nov 23 - 05:55 PM

Yeah, it's always best to give us what you have before you ask for help. Then we don't have to reinvent the wheel. So, let's start with the lyrics posted above and correct them.
-Joe-

Subject: ADD: Calvary Hill (Shirley Collins)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Nov 23 - 04:57 PM

Hi, Greenwood Lassie. Here's a recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M2bWE3aRQg

I'll agree that the lyrics are hard to make out in many places. Here's what I found on a Website called genius.com. I'll add my corrections in italics, but there's still a lot I can't understand.


CALVARY HILL
(Shirley Collins)

[Verse 1]
Joseph, husband, come tell me why
Our lovely son was left for to die
Too young was he, for his to blood to spill
Down yon green slopes of Calvary Hill

[Verse 2]
That(?) little foot when the stable was bare
All wrapped in cree(?) from the cold night air
This heart of mine with grief would fill
To see his body hang on Calvary Hill

[Verse 3]
Hard is the iron that holds him there
Sharp are the thorns in (on?) his dark hair;
But harder yet, and darker still
Are the hands that nailed him on Calvary Hill

[Verse 4]
May god forgive them that did the deed:
The judge, the spy and the men of greed
To save a fortune(?) my boy was killed
By Roman soldiers on Calvary Hill

[Verse 5]
Come Joseph, husband, and let us go
To some lone corner and clean our wound(?)
The cross may shake but the boy is still
His life is ended on Calvary Hill


The melody is "Lady Franklin's Lament" or "Bob Dylan's Dream." Is there a more official name for the melody?

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Shirley Collins Calvary Hill
From: Reinhard
Date: 15 Nov 23 - 11:31 PM

In verse 2 I hear 'A little foot' and in verse 5 'To some lone corner and keen our woe'.