Versions: William Taylor (from Robin Williamson)

Subject: william taylor
From: GUEST,Roberto
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 03:38 PM

I'm looking for the lyrics of Robin Williamson's version of William Taylor. In the data base and in the forum there are many versions of this song, but not this one, that I think is among the best. I'd like some help. Thank you. Roberto

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: william taylor
From: nutty
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 06:55 PM

There are two more version here

WILLIAM TAYLOR

Subject: Lyr Add: WILLIAM TAYLOR (Robin Williamson)
From: GUEST,Roberto
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 04:31 AM

The version I'm looking for is similar to the second one in the Contemplator, Bill Taylor, of which another version is in Ord's. I try to write down some of the lyrics I can get, please help me to correct it and complete it. Robin Williamson's version, that I'm trying to get, is in his CD, A Job of Journey Man:

WILLIAM TAYLOR

William Taylor was a brisk young fellow
Brisk and … as he could be
On the night he was to marry
Press'd he was and sent to sea

She put on … clothing
Follow'd him away to war
Pretty little fingers are long and slender
… pitch and tar

One day in the heat of the battle
She being there among the rest
… blew off her jacket
Then appeared her snow-white breast

This caused the captain to enquire,
"What misfortune brought you here?"
"I am seeking William Taylor,
Press'd he was by you last year."

"If you're seeking WilliamTaylor,
Wait till we get home from the sea,
Then … William Taylor
Walking out with his young lady."

They got home to Bristol harbour
She went a-walking … Bristol quay,
There she saw her William Taylor
Walking out with his young lady.

She pull'd out a little pistol
That she had at her command
Then she shot her William Taylor
While she held him by the hand

When the captain heard of this
And of the deed she had done
He made her ship commander
Of a frigate of forty guns

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: william taylor
From: GUEST,Roberto
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 12:26 PM

I won't try any more to refresh this thread, this is the last call. Please, somobody who has the CD A Job of Journey Work, by Robin Williamson, try to correct and complete the lyrics that I could get and wrote in a previous message on this thread. After that, I'm going to leave the thread and William Taylor to their destiny. Yours, Roberto Campo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: william taylor
From: GeorgeH
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 12:51 PM

This sounds rather similar to the version June Tabor sings . . I'd happily listen to that version to transcibe it for you . .

(June always claims she only sings it for the delight of the line:

"She rose and shot her FALSE WILLY"

though I'm not sure the pun exists in the US).

However I don't see where your problem is, Roberto - I would have thought you could have "filled in the gaps" in the version you have.

Also, I'm surprised you consider this to be a particularly good version; IMO the version (from memory):

She's sent for a brace of pistols
Which were brought at her command
Fired and shot her false lover
And the bride at his right hand

works much better than the last but one line of your extract.

Cheers!

George

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: william taylor
From: GUEST,Roberto
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 01:10 PM

Good version because I like the way Robin Williamson sings it, with a pirate-like lilting refrain and a mood that reminds me of Frankie and Johnny more than other versions do, not because I think the text is better than that of other versions, among which I mention Joseph Taylor's; Martin Carthy's; Jo Freya's; the House Band's; The Cran's. Yes, I can fill in the gaps, but I'd like to understand exactly what Robin Williamson sings there. Bye. Roberto

Subject: Lyr Add: WILLIE TAYLOR (June Tabor version)
From: GeorgeH
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 05:54 AM

Each to their own . . I still dislike the last but one line you offer.

Anyway here's the June Tabor version from a concert in the days when she was duoing with Martin Simpson. At least one line in it seems to match a "line with a gap" in your version. (Who is Robin Williamson, anyway?).

June says (on the tape) that it's from the singing of Hedy West, and that it's one of those songs which crossed the Atlantic and improved during the journey.

She also particularly likes the enigmatic ending of this version . . every time I hear it I picture her enormous stage shrug of "however did that happen to Polly?" as she sings the last verse.

More recently she's been singing it very differently, but I'm not sure whether she's using the same set of words.

WILLIE TAYLOR (June Tabor version)

Willie Taylor, youthful lover,
Full of love and loyalty,
Just as he was about to get married
Pressed he was, and sent to sea.

Chorus
< >< >Ride the ring
< >< >Rattle-de-ho
< >< >Rattle-diddle-day-te
< >< >Rattle-diddle-day

She dressed herself in man's apparel,
Went by the name of Richard Carr.
Pretty little fingers all red and rosy
All bedaubed with pitch and tar.

< >< >Chorus

One day in the heat of battle,
Shot and shell were flying there,
Silver button flew off her waistcoat
Left her lilly-white breast quite bare.

< >< >Chorus

Then up stepped her bold commander,
Says "Fair maid what brought you here?"
(*)"Come in search of Willie Taylor,
"Who was pressed from me last year."

< >< >Chorus

(*)"Come in search of Willie Taylor,
"Willie Taylor, he's not here.
"I do hear he lately got married
"To some lovely lady fair."

< >< >Chorus

"If you rise early in the morning,
"Just before the break of day,
"There you'll see your Willie Taylor
"Walking out with his lady gay."

< >< >Chorus

She rose early in the morning,
Just before the break of day.
There she spied her Willie Taylor
Walking out with his lady gay.

< >< >Chorus

She's called for a brace of pistols,
Which were brought at her command.
Fired and shot her false Willie
And the bride at his right hand.

< >< >Chorus

Come all you young men, pay attention,
Don't play tricks on your young wives.
Willie got shot and Polly got drown'ed,
And that was the end of both their lives.

< >< >Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: william taylor
From: GeorgeH
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 05:57 AM

Sorry about the funny attempts at non-breaking spaces! Also I meant to say that the (*) bits are where June's clearly contracting the "correct" words - but on the performance I've got she does sing what I've written.

G.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: william taylor
From: IanC
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 06:00 AM

You mean you don't know this Robin Williamson?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: william taylor
From: pavane
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 08:01 AM

The Dransfields recorded a good version in 1970

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: william taylor
From: GeorgeH
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 09:45 AM

Yes, "INCREDIBLE STRING BAND" was the association I had . . but I thought I'd look even more stupid if I asked "Is that Robin Williamson of ISB fame" and it turned out I'd got the name wrong . . .

(Personally, ISB lost their charm many years ago, so I've simply ignored everything he's done since. No doubt that's my loss, but "life's too short . . .") THANKS for putting me straight, Ian C.

G.