Lyr Add: Flower of France and England

Subject: Flower of France and England
From: The Walrus
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 05:43 PM

For some reason, the following song just "popped into my head" yesterday, I hadn't thought about it for (probably) years. I tried a DT search and couldn't find it (now watch somebody tell me I'm wrong and stick up a "blicky" to it). I can't remember where I learned it (although it most definitely has been recorded, I just can't remember who by).

Doubtless this will turn out to be one of those songs that everyone knows...

The Flower of France and England

As I was on my rambles, I went from Dover to Carlyle,
The town was full of rebels and you might have heard them for a mile,
I went into "The Grapes" to see what entertainment I could find,
Not being brisk, I ran the risk, I called for a pint of wine
And there I spied this bonnie lass, the Flower of France and England.

Not being in a hurry, I for a private room did call,
They sent to me, the caddy, the lad that rings the morning bell
But in there came this brisk young dame, she "Kind Sir, come follow me
"It is not fit, that you should sit, among such roving company".
This handsome, smiling, bonnie lass, the flower of France and England

She took me to a chamber, where everything was neat and clean,
She said "Young Sir, it is not fit, you should have something on to dine".
The table soon she covered o'er, the dinner soon she did bring in,
She looked not like some idle slut, nor one that was not taught to spin
This handsome, smiling, bonnie lass, the flower of France and England.

But I could not fall to eating, for thinking on this bonnie lass
that spent her time a-scouring, among the pewter and the brass,
I rang the bell, she heard the knell and swift to me she did repair,
I said, "My dear, the table's drawn, come sit beside me on this chair,
"My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England"

She said "Young man, you are as bad as any in this house this night,
"For they are drunk and you are mad, or else you would not speak the like,
"Come, take the cup and drink it up, and drive such fancies out by sleep,
"For if you dreamed you had me wed, I'm sure you would arise and weep."
Said this handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England.

But I could not fall to sleeping, for thinking of this bonnie maid,
And if I could but win her, I would not care how long I stayed.
I rang the bell, she heard the knell and swift to me she did repair,
Said I "We'll to St Mary's Church, and there we will undo this care
My handsome smiling bonnie lass, the flower of France and England.

So we've go to St Mary's, and there the priest, the knot, has tied,
I've hi'ed home my bonnie bride, as fast as ever I could ride,
Thro' Scotland broad we've ta'en the road, 'til we've come tae my father's place.
The servants there did skip and dance to see their new found Lady's face.
My handsome, smiling, bonnie lass, the flower of France and England.

I regret that I have no way of giving the tune

Regards

Walrus (Now perhaps it'll stop going around in my head)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Flower of France and England
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 08:50 PM

Now there's a self-fulfilling prophesy if ever I heard one!

Lyr Add: Flower of France and England

Where did you get it?  There's a set in Ord's Bothy Songs and Ballads (1930) which is reasonably close to the text here, and the one I've linked to, which Jeri quoted from the Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection (Bell Robertson's version).  Neither gives a tune; can you give us a clue?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Flower of France and England
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 09:23 AM

Curmudgeon here.
.
I got this from John Roberts many years ago and I think that he got it from Archie Fisher. I'm quite sure that John has recorded it. Good hunting -- Tom

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Flower of France and England
From: nutty
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 03:37 PM

This was from the singing of Archie Fisher as well

THE FLOWER OF FRANCE AND ENGLAND

The OSSIAN recording suggests that the words are traditional and the tune was set by Archie Fisher
He certainly seems the first to have recorded it

Archie Fisher

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Flower of France and England
From: The Walrus
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 04:14 PM

I had this feeling that there would be at least one "blickie" involved. That'll teach me to check the database and forget to do a Forum search (D'oh!)

Feeling like a fool

Walrus

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Flower of France and England
From: pavane
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 04:19 PM

There are theories that the words are the town was full of 'revels' not rebels. Seems more likely that revels would be heard than rebels? I have the Archie Fisher recording, which is one of my favourite albums.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Flower of France and England
From: GUEST,Charlie
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 08:28 PM

Did y'all read that Archie Fisher was knighted last week?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Flower of France and England
From: Seaking
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 02:19 PM

No, but it is richly deserved if he was. He has been a great inspiration to me for many years and I still enjoy singing many songs (including this one)learned from his albums and performances.

Chris

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Flower of France and England
From: GUEST,HughM
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 03:24 PM

In 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie did indeed leave a detachment behind in Carlisle when he was retreating north, in an attempt to delay the advance of the Duke of Cumberland.

   Congratulations to Archie!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Flower of France and England
From: Effsee
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 03:34 PM

Archie wasn't knighted he was awarded the MBE.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Flower of France and England
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 05:50 PM

Sir Archie does have a nice ring though.