Lyr Req: The King's Commands Must Be Obeyed

Subject: the King's command must be obeyed
From: GUEST,TD
Date: 18 Feb 00 - 12:40 PM

Looking for the words to the song High Germany also called The Kink's Command Must Be Obeyed as done by The John Renbourn Group on their CD Live In America

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the King's command must be obeyed
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 18 Feb 00 - 03:46 PM

One text and one verse to two tunes in JFSS 6, p.25-6, 1905. Broadside copies from several 19th century printers are available at the Bodley Ballads website.

Subject: ADD: the King's command must be obeyed^^
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 18 Feb 00 - 04:27 PM

Here ye go mate!
THE KING'S REQUEST MUST BE OBEYED

One day as I was walking and walking all alone
I heard a young couple a making their moan
Said the older one to the fonder one
Bonnie lass I must away for the king he has commanded us
And his orders I must obey

Oh false thou are your promises when first you were my love
To keep me ever at your side Though far you should roam
Pity on me take do not me forsake for great is my awe(Love)*
Through France and Spain Bonny Ireland along with you I'll go

I fear the treacherous journey Bitter cold and burning heat
Rough roads and stoney mountains they will wound your tender feet
And to your kinsmen to you will prove untrue
If from them you go for maids must bide at their parents side
While men do fight the foe

I fear no parents anger nor any daring foe
Since I have resolved along with you to go
Through rain and snow and through weir or woe
I'll prove kind as you'll see
While the drums do beat and the trumpets sound
And the wars of high Germany
^^ repeat first verse I hope it helps but some words are hard to get off the CD Yours Aye Dave

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the King's command must be obeyed
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 18 Feb 00 - 11:03 PM

Sorry I have trouble editing on my puter sometimes it changes thing I write which is at times embarrasing. I did not get the verses right but I think you will be able to edit them yourself if you have the music to this song..Yours,Aye.Dave

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the King's command must be obeyed
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Feb 00 - 03:38 AM

Say, Dave - is this traditional, or is there a songwriter's name listed. Any background information on the song?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the King's command must be obeyed
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 19 Feb 00 - 07:01 AM

Joe, I don't have much info from the CD cover. The version in the Oxford book of songs is not the same. I suspect Renbourn recorded an earlier version of the song and would assume it is traditional. He sings it alternate verses with Jacqui McShee on the CD and it is one of my favourites. Yours,Aye.Dave

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the King's command must be obeyed
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 19 Feb 00 - 12:48 PM

Joe, read my post for traditional and broadside versions.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the King's command must be obeyed
From: Abby Sale
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 11:19 AM

I guess this shows how my mind works. On seeing the thread Subject & thought Oh boy! some new lines to the great folk recitation, "The Night of the King's Castration." Oh well.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE KING'S COMMANDS MUST BE OBEYED
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 03:11 PM

The Bodleian collection has 4 copies of this song. The following transcription is mainly from 2806 c.18(317) but I changed a few words based on comparisons with other versions.


THE TRUE LOVERS, or, THE KING'S COMMANDS MUST BE OBEYED

Abroad as I was walking, a-walking alone,
I heard two lovers talking, a-talking alone.
Says the young one to the fair one, "Bonnie lassie, this way.
The King he has commanded us, and his orders we must obey."

"That's not what you promised me when you did me beguile.
You promised to marry me when you got me with child.
It's do not me forsake, but pity on me take, for great is my woe.
Through Scotland, France, and Ireland along with you I'll go."

"Though long and weary travelling would hurt your tender feet.
Those hills and lofty mountains would cause you for to weep.
Besides, you would not yield to lay in an open field with me all night long.
Your parents would be angry if along with me you'd gang."

"My parents I don't value, nor my foes I don't fear.
Along with my valiant soldier I will travel far and near.
It's gold shall never me deceive nor any other foe. Along with you I'll go,
To fight the French and Spaniards or any other daring foe."

"Since you are so venturesome to venture your sweet life,
First I will marry you and make you my lawful wife.
If anyone offend you, it's I will defend you, and that you shall see.
You shall hear the drum and the trumpet sounds in the wars of high Germany."