Lyr Add: There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden

Subject: Lyr Add: THERE WAS A MAID IN HER FATHER'S GARDEN
From: Wolfgang
Date: 05 Jun 00 - 08:08 AM

I'm rather sure that this is the one song looked for in the Seeking (40+) Irish Lyrics thread, so here it is in my transcription from Dolores Keane's 'There was a maid' record. It is closely related to Fair maid walking and Young and single sailor already in the DT but different enough for posting (see, for instance her doubts in the last verse).

THERE WAS A MAID IN HER FATHER'S GARDEN

There was a maid in her father's garden,
a gentleman being passing by.
He stood a while and he gazed upon her
Saying: "Fair young lady will you marry me".

"I'm no lady but a poor girl
and a poor girl of low degree.
So now, young man, choose another sweetheart,
for I'm not fitting your (maid/mate) to be."

"I have houses and I have lands
and I have money to set you free.
I'll make you a nice young lady
And you'll have servants to wait on thee."

"It's seven years since I had a sweetheart
and seven more since I did him see,
seven more I will wait upon him
and if he's alive he'll come home to me."

"It's seven years since you had a sweetheart
and seven more since you did him see,
seven more you will wait upon him,
perhaps this young man you'll never see."

"If he's sick I wish him better
and if he's dead I wish him rest,
if he's alive he will come home to me
for he's the young man that I love best."

He put his hand into his pocket,
his lily-white fingers being thin and small
and out between them he drew a gold ring
and when she saw it down she did fall.

He took her up all in his arms
And gave her kisses most tenderly
Saying: "I'm your true lover, a single sailor,
that came home from sea, love, to wed with thee."

"If you're my true love, a single sailor,
your face and features seem strange to me,
but seven years make great alterations
on the raging seas between you and me."

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: There was a maid in her father's gar
From: Bud Savoie
Date: 05 Jun 00 - 08:58 PM

The story is "John Riley", and the tune is "Boolavogue." A very successful mix.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 11:01 AM

Have you ever heard this song performed to another tune? I heard one recently that sounded very traditional and wonderful, and I was wondering if anyone knew any other versions...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden
From: GUEST,guest wayfarer
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 12:59 PM

Yes,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1QrQlmVAuc

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden
From: Smokey.
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 01:26 PM

Triona Ni Domhnaill sings a good version of it from her aunt Neilli (forgive the lack of accents) on the eponymous 'Relativity' album. May her clack be forever polished.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 04:23 PM

The ballad was known by various titles even around 1800 but the most common one we use nowadays is 'The Young and Single Sailor'. I'm sure there are probably half a dozen different tunes as it was widely printed over a long period, but there is one well used tune on the folk scene which should be easy to get hold of by googling.

By sheer coincidence I had a copy in my hand just before I looked at this thread. It was printed by Kendrew of York in about 1820 and is titled 'The Loyal Sailor'. It has the usual 9 stanzas. It's the classic 'Broken Token' ballad of which there are numerous types, which is why someone suggested it has the same story as John Riley.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 06:39 PM

There is a recording on Jean Ritchie's "Field Trip" album of Elisabeth Cronin singing this song. Her tune might be considered somewhat close to "Boulavogue," but differs so much, in a very pretty and grace-noted way, that I much prefer it done Cronin's way. (Her tune, by the way, is nothing like the one Dick Miles sings on YouTube linked above.)

I don't know offhand if the above text is hers; but Cronin's version was around by the 1950s, and is one of the earlier Irish versions of the Broken Token song to reach the folk community—and surely must be one of the most beautiful ever.

Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 12:12 PM

I found another version by Bohola called "There Was A Lady/Scollard's" that's really good as well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 12:16 PM

Sorry, the Bohola version is here: http://new.music.yahoo.com/bohola/tracks/there-was-a-lady-road-to-dingle-scollards--184318937

This version is a bit more upbeat and I really enjoy it!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 12:21 PM

The tune I sing, is i believe a Sussex version.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 12:34 PM

I actually was just listening to the Bohola version posted above, and noticed some differences in lyrics as well. Here is my transcription of that version:

There was a lady in her father's garden
And a brisk young gentleman came passing by
He stood a while and he gazed up on her
And he said, "Young lady, would you fancy I?"

"I am no lady but a farmer's daughter
And a farmer's daughter of low degree
And if you want for to meet a lady
Travel further, don't fancy me"

"It's seven years since I had a sweetheart
And seven more since I did him see
And seven more will I wait upon him
For if he's alive he'll come home to me"

"If it's seven years since you had a sweetheart
And seven more since you did him see
Seven more you will wait upon him
Perhaps this young man you'll never see"

"Well if he's sick, sure I wish him better
And if he's dead, sure I wish him rest
If he's alive then I love him dearly
He is the young man I do love best"

That's when he saw that she'd been so true
He felt pity that she might be lost
"I am your true and your single sailor
That all this time did the ocean cross"

"Well if you're my true and my single sailor
Your face and features seem strange to me
But seven years make great alteration
And the raging seas between you and me"

He put his hand down into his pocket
His lily-white fingers being thin and small
Drew out the ring that they'd broke(?) between them
And when she saw it down she did fall

He lifted her in his arms so dearly
And he gave to her love and kisses three
"I am your true and your single sailor
I've come from sea, love, to marry thee"

So come all ye young fair and tender maidens
Don't slight your sailors whilst they are at sea
For when they come home they'll make you their own
And they'll bring you o'er to Americay

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 01:00 PM

If in doubt have a look at Forest Tracks for details of "Folk Songs from Hampshire" released 1974. This includes a fine rendition of Broken Token by Hampshire singer Geoff Jerram. Taken from Marrowbones a book of Hampshire folk songs collected by George Gardiner.
Re-released as a set with folk Songs of Hampshire, this set is a must for serious collectors.