Lyr Req: If I Were a Blackbird

Subject: Lyric Req: If I were a blackbird
From: brian
Date: 01 Jan 97 - 12:48 PM

looking for the lyrics to a song that begins with the words "if I were a blackbird could whistle and sing, I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in, and in the top rigging I'd there build my nest, and I'd flutter my wings o'er her lilly white breast..."

Subject: Lyric REQ: if i were a blackbird
From: brian
Date: 01 Jan 97 - 12:59 PM

the song begins: If I were a blackbird could whistle and sing, I'd follow the vessle my true love sails in, and in the top rigging I'd there build my nest, and I'd flutter my wings, o'er hre lilly white breast..."

Subject: RE: Lyric request
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 01 Jan 97 - 05:34 PM

Hi- It's in the database.

Subject: RE: Lyric REQ: if i were a blackbird
From: Susan-Marie
Date: 02 Jan 97 - 08:19 AM

Hey Brian, I just got as a gift the Silly Wizard CD with this song on it. Unfortunately it's at home, but if no-one else gets you the lyrics today, I'll post them tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Lyric request
From:
Date: 02 Jan 97 - 11:18 AM

Just a note: the original versions of this traditional song were sung from the woman's point of view; Andy Stewart of Silly Wizard wrote one or two additional verses, changed the sex of the singer and copyrighted it as "his" song. It's a lovely song, no matter which version you sing, but be care- ful with the attribution if you're performing it...

Subject: RE: Lyric REQ: if i were a blackbird
From:
Date: 02 Jan 97 - 11:24 AM

Just a note: the original versions of this traditional song were sung from the woman's point of view; Andy Stewart of Silly Wizard wrote one or two additional verses, changed the sex of the singer and copyrighted it as "his" song. It's a lovely song, no matter which version you sing, but be careful with the attribution if you're performing it...

Subject: RE: Lyric REQ: if i were a blackbird
From: Susan-Marie
Date: 03 Jan 97 - 10:59 AM

Yes, I can see how the song would make more sense from a woman's point of view. Since the original is in the database, I won't send out the revised version. Thanks for the insight!

Subject: RE: Lyric REQ: if i were a blackbird
From: Susan of DT
Date: 03 Jan 97 - 05:51 PM

It is in the digital tradition as If I Was a Blackbird. You can look for blackbird (and get lots of hits)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Were a Blackbird
From: GUEST,Lucy
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 09:19 PM

Traditional Version:
If I were a blackbird I'd whistle and sing
And I'd follow the ship that my true love sails in
And on the top rigging I'd there build my nest
And I'd pillow my head on his lily-white breast.

I am a young maiden and my story is sad
For once I was courted by a brave sailor lad.
He courted me truly by night and by day
But now he has left me and gone far away.

Refrain: If I were . . .

He promised to take me to Donnybrook fair
To buy me red ribbons to tie up my hair
And I know that some day he'll come back o'er the tide
And then he will make me his own loving bride.

Refrain: If I were . . .

His parents they chide me and will not agree
That I and my sailor-boy married should be
But let them deride me and say what they will
While there's breath in my body he's the one I'll love still.

Refrain: If I were . . .

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Were a Blackbird
From: GUEST,Seaking
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 03:43 AM

Andy Stewart version

I am a young sailor my story is sad
Though once I was carefree and a brave sailor lad
I courted a lassie by night and by day
Ah but now she has left me and sailed far away

If I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in
And in the top rigging I would there build my nest
And I'd flutter my wings o'er her lily-white breasts

If I was a scholar and could handle the pen
One secret love letter to my true love I'd send
And I'd tell of my sorrow, my grief and my pain
Since she's gone and left me in yon foreign land

I sailed o'er the ocean, my fortune to seek
Tho' I missed her caress and her kiss on my cheek
I returned and I told her my love was still warm
But she turned away lightly and great was her scorn

I offered to take her to Donnybrook Fair
And to buy her fine ribbons to tie up her hair
I offered to marry and to stay by her side
But she says in the morning she sails with the tide

My parents they chide me and will not agree
Saying me and my false love never will be
Ah but let them deprive me let them do as they will
While there's breath in my body she's the one that I love still

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Were a Blackbird
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 03:50 AM

Can find on 'Cantaria' with MP3 of song being sung. Have a look on 'Alphabetical list' Sung on MP3 by Wild Mountain Thyme which is the female perspective but I believe there is also a link to the male perspective.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Were a Blackbird
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 03:57 AM

See the links above for several past postings here of various sets of words, including (more than once) the Andy M Stewart re-write. This is a 1997 thread revived after 11 years of oblivion, and is probably the least informative of several discussions here on the same subject.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Were a Blackbird
From: Seaking
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 04:58 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izcHRH0YUpM

Silly Wizard version on youtube in (perhaps slightly strange) tribute to a passed border collie.

sorry, can't do blue clicky thing.

Chris

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Were a Blackbird
From: GUEST,Guest Johnny
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 05:50 AM

During the marvellous 'Boys from the Blackstuff' television series by Alan Bleasdale, a character in a a pub sang(Partially)this song