Lyr Req: Lovely on the Water (Steeleye Span)

Subject: lovely on the water-steeleye?
From:
Date: 22 Jan 01 - 02:31 PM

I am looking for the words for the above song and I think it might have been recorded by Steeleye Span. If they got it, I don't know where from, but would like the words if anyone can help. MTIA Lynn Fitton, Redditch, Worcs.

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Subject: Lyr Add: LOVELY ON THE WATER ^^
From: GUEST,bigJ
Date: 22 Jan 01 - 03:59 PM

It looks as though most English recorded versions of Lovely On the Water (Purcell Singers/ Steeleye Span/ Frankie Armstrong) head back to the version collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams from Mr Hilton of South Walsham in Norfolk. Here's the version published by Roy Palmer in the book 'Folksongs Collected by R.V.W.' republished recently by Llanerch Press as 'Bushes and Briars'

As I walked out one morning in the springtime of the year,
I overheard a sailor boy, likewise a lady fair.

They sang a song together made the valleys for to ring,
While the birds on spray and the meadows gay, that proclaimed the lovely spring.

Said Henry to Nancy, We must soon sail away,
For it's lovely on the water to hear the music play.

For our queen she do want seamen, so I will not stay on shore,
I will brave the wars for my country where the cannon loudly roar'.

'Oh', then said pretty Nancy,'pray stay at home with me,
Or let me go along with you to bear you company.

I'll put on a pair of trousers and leave my native shores,
Then let me go along with you where the cannon loudly roar'.

'It will not do', said Henry, 'it's in vain for you to try,
They will not ship a female', young Henry did reply.

'Besides your hands are delicate, and the ropes would make them sore,
And it would be worse if you should fall where the cannon loudly roar'.

Poor Nancy fell and fainted, and soon they brought her too;
They both shook hands together and took a fond adieu.

'Come change your ring with me, my love, for we may meet once more,
There's one above that will guard you, love, where the cannon loudly roar'.

'Four pounds is our bounty, and that will do for thee
For to help thy aged parents while I am on the sea'.

For Tower Hill is crowded with mothers weeping sore,
For their sons are gone to face the foe where the cannons loudly roar.

There's many a mother's darling has entered for the main,
And in the dreadful battles what numbers will be slain.

For many a weeping mother and widow will deplore
For those who fall by cannon balls where the cannon loudly roar.

Palmer notes:- Verses 5, 6, 7 (part), 13 and 14 added from broadside 'Henry & Nancy or the Lover's Seperation' printed by Harkness of Preston.^^

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lovely on the water-steeleye?
From: Margaret V
Date: 22 Jan 01 - 04:17 PM

Try the following website: www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~zierke/steeleye.span/songs/lovelyonthewater.html

The site wasn't responding when I tried it just now, but that's where I found the words a few months ago (the Steeleye Span version is somewhat different from the one posted above). Margaret

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lovely on the water-steeleye?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 22 Jan 01 - 05:12 PM

A copy of the Harkness broadside may be seen at the  Bodleian Library Broadside Collection:

Henry & Nancy; or the lover's seperation  (sic.) Printed between 1840 and 1866 by J. Harkness, 121, Church Street, Preston.

The Steeleye Span recording isn't significantly different; it's just the version given above with some verses omitted.  BigJ; are you in a position to make a midi of the tune for the Mudcat Midi Pages?  If you can't, I'll do it; it's a fine tune.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lovely on the water-steeleye?
From:
Date: 23 Jan 01 - 08:57 AM

Thanks to all who have answered my query - it's great to have the info. Most grateful! cheers. Lynn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lovely on the water-steeleye?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jan 01 - 05:57 PM

I didn't find this song in the Digital Tradition, so I've harvested it. BigJ, I guess you're not registered - can you give your initials so I can credit you for the submission?

This song has themes you find in lots of ballads - a woman wanting to dress in men's clothing, a token, springtime walking with birds, seamen infatuated with women named Nancy, and an overdose of male chauvinism. Is there a Child Ballad or DT song # that should be assigned to this song?

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lovely on the water-steeleye?
From: GUEST,bigJ
Date: 23 Jan 01 - 08:09 PM

Malcolm,I have a programme that allows me to write out notation and I suspect that it would let me transpose that to midi but it's one of the arcane areas of the software that I haven't ventured into yet, so if you would like do do a midi then you're welcome. Joe, why not credit it to Roy Palmer or even Ralph Vaughan Williams, I only copied it after all. Best wishes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lovely on the water-steeleye?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 25 Jan 01 - 09:28 PM

Midi sent to Alan.