LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison

Subject: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 17 Sep 97 - 11:25 AM

G'day,
Here are corrections to the DT version according to the words I copied years ago from a library book.

TO ALTHEA FROM PRISON

By Richard Lovelace

When love with unconfined wings hovers within my gates,
And my divine Althea brings to whisper at my grates;
When I lie tangled in her hair and fettered to her eye,
Birds that wanton in the air know no such liberty.

When flowing cups run swiftly round with no allaying Thames,
Our careless heads with roses bound, our hearts with loyal flames;
When thirsty grief in wine we steep, when healths & draughts run free-
Fishes that tipple in the deep know no such liberty.

Stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage;
Minds innocent & quiet take that as a hermitage;
If I have freedom in my love and in my soul am free,
Angels alone, that soar above, enjoy such liberty.

These are the verses sung by Fairport Convention and are verses 1, 2 & 4 (I think) of the original poem. You can probably find it in any library. Look for the Oxford Book of English verse or some such. I seem to remember that in the extra verse Lovelace swears his undying loyalty to the king (Charles I) who'd had him imprisoned in the first place for some minor indiscretion.

Cheers,
Alan

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: Bruce
Date: 17 Sep 97 - 05:39 PM

Lovelace wrote the poem in the Gatehouse Prison in 1642. He had been put there by Parliament for presenting the Kentish Petition in favour of the King.

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 17 Sep 97 - 08:58 PM

thanx

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 18 Sep 97 - 10:49 AM

Bruce,
Thanks for the correction, I suppose I should look up my facts before relying on my fading memory in full view of the whole world.

Cheers,
Alan

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: Bruce
Date: 18 Sep 97 - 12:11 PM

Allan, Hate to admit it, but I almost always screw up some detail when relying on memory.

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From:
Date: 18 Sep 97 - 04:30 PM

When I cover the Cavalier Poets in my English literature class, I work from a textbook which uses the following as the third verse:

When, like committed linnets, I/ With shriller throat shall sing/ The sweetness, mercy, majesty/ And glories of my king;/ When I shall voice aloud how good/ He is, how great should be,/ Enlarged winds, that curl the flood/ Know no such liberty."

This, I think, is the verse to which Alan is referring.

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 18 Sep 97 - 04:34 PM

Sorry--I forgot to identify myself in the preceding thread.

Bill in Alabama

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: BB
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 03:04 PM

Does anyone know who wrote the music for this? I've heard someone sing it, but can't find out any more.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Barbara

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: Acorn4
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 03:10 PM

Music was by Dave Swarbrick and Fairpoert.

There is an excellent version by Jane and Amanda Threlfall , accompanied by Roger Edwards and Martin Ellison on their CD "Morning Tempest" Beehive Music WBCD 001

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: irishenglish
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 03:15 PM

BB- you sure it wasn't the Fairport version on the Nine album? I'm pretty sure that the music was written by Swarb, but I could be wrong. Never encountered it sung by anyone else.

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: Rasener
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 03:52 PM

Here is a great version by Churchfitters third song on the left of webpage

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=310835943

They credit it to Richard Lovelace and Dave Swarbrick

Churchfitters can be seen at Faldingworth Live Sept 27th 2008

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: BB
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 03:53 PM

Many thanks, both. That's all I wanted to know.

Barbara

Subject: RE: LYR Correction: To Althea From Prison
From: Rasener
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 03:56 PM

oops third song on the right :-)