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Chord Req: Wife of Usher's Well-Peter Blegvad

30 Apr 09 - 05:17 PM (#2622193)
Subject: Chord Req: Wife of Usher's Well
From: GUEST,Dave Hatton

I know many versions of this song but I'm really trying to get a handle on the version which Peter Blegvad recorded. It's played in a rocky way and is a lot more up-tempo than others I know and if anyone knows this one then I'd love to know. The traditionally recorded versions simply don't get near this for me!


01 May 09 - 03:53 AM (#2622413)
Subject: RE: Chord Req: Wife of Usher's Well
From: Jack Blandiver

Never heard of Blegvad doing this; must look it up. I tend to do it without any chords at all. Check track #7 at www.myspace.com/sedayne


04 May 09 - 06:45 PM (#2624234)
Subject: RE: Chord Req: Wife of Usher's Well
From: GUEST,Dave Hatton

Interesting version, Sedayne - the Peter Blegvad version is on his 'Downtime' album along with a version of 'The Green Boy'. He's not really a folk musician but I was very pleased to get these tracks, albeit I'm unable to get a chord pattern that seems to fit. Anyone heard the track out there - I know it's a longshot!?


03 Dec 25 - 02:05 AM (#4232437)
Subject: RE: Chord Req: Wife of Usher's Well-Peter Blegvad
From: Reinhard

Phil Edwards asked about this one on the Tradsong mailing list (which I'm not a member of).

Peter Blegvad basically sings the lyrics of Peggy Seeger from her and Ewan MacColl's album Blood & Roses Volume 5. Her version is from the singing of Lena Hill, Lexington, Alabama.

THE WIFE OF USHER'S WELL
Peggy Seeger

There were a fair and a beautiful bride
Children she had three;
She sent them away to a northing school
For to study gramaree.

They were away but about three months
Three months and a day;
When there came death all over that land
And stole her little babes away.

There be a king in heavens above,
Wearin’ of a golden crown,
Please send home my sweet little babes
This night or in the morning soon.

It were about old Christmas-time,
And the nights was long and cool;
She dreamed she seen them sweet little babes
Come a-running to their mother’s room.

She set a table with a clean white cloth,
Spread with bread and wine;
Come eat, come drink, my sweet little babes,
Come eat and drink of mine.

We can’t eat your bread, mother,
We can’t drink your wine;
For in the morning, the morning soon,
With our Saviour we must dine.

She made a bed in the backmost room,
Spread with a Holland sheet;
And over the top run a golden quilt
Come; my sweet little babes, and sleep.

Green grass grown at our heads; mother,
Green moss at our feet;
And every tear you weeped for us
Just wets our windin’ sheet.

Wake; awake; said the eldest one,
Wake; it’s almost day;
Yonder stands our Saviour dear;
And with him we must away.

Farewell mamma and pappa too,
Farewell Kitty and the Queen;
How can I stay in this dark world?
There’s a brighter one for me.


03 Dec 25 - 05:57 AM (#4232444)
Subject: RE: Chord Req: Wife of Usher's Well-Peter Blegvad
From: GerryM

The Peter Blagved recording is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfEvE9LNgo4