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Lyr Req: Queen Elizabeth I? / The Looking Glass

11 Nov 17 - 05:15 AM (#3887985)
Subject: Lyr Req: Queen Elizabeth the First song?
From: wilbyhillbilly

My missus, Beth found a traditional folk song about the above, thought she had saved it then found it has disappeared into the ether.

It is a song about Elizabeth's vanity and possibly her temper and it was not a "funny" song rather a serious one. Apparently it is not "Golden Vanity". The version she heard was sung by a woman, if that helps!.

Beth would like to sing this at an upcoming theme night that the local folk club is holding, so hopefully someone may recognise it from the scant clues I have, I know this is a long shot but hey, you have to try!

Any help would be gratefully received.

11 Nov 17 - 08:10 AM (#3888002)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Queen Elizabeth the First song?
From: G-Force

Possible 'The Cruel Looking Glass'? (As recorded by Peter Bellamy).

11 Nov 17 - 03:19 PM (#3888057)
Subject: ADD: The Looking-Glass (Kipling)
From: Joe Offer

Here's the whole of it:
https://www.poetryloverspage.com/poets/kipling/looking_glass.html

The Looking-Glass

(Rudyard Kipling)
A Country Dance
"Gloriana" - Rewards and Fairies

  Queen Bess was Harry's daughter. Stand forward partners all!
  In ruff and stomacher and gown
  She danced King Philip down-a-down,
  And left her shoe to show 'twas true -
  (The very tune I'm playing you)
  In Norgem at Brickwall!
  
  The Queen was in her chamber, and she was middling old.
  Her petticoat was satin, and her stomacher was gold.
  Backwards and forwards and sideways did she pass,
  Making up her mind to face the cruel looking-glass.
  The cruel looking-glass that will never show a lass
  As comely or as kindly or as young as what she was!
  
  Queen Bess was Harry's daughter. Now hand your partners all!
  
  The Queen was in her chamber, a-combing of her hair.
  There came Queen Mary's spirit and It stood behind her chair,
  Singing "Backwards and forwards and sideways may you pass, 
  But I will stand behind you till you face the looking-glass.
  The cruel looking-glass that will never show a lass
  As lovely or unlucky or as lonely as I was!"
  
  Queen Bess was Harry's daughter. Now turn your partners all!
  
  The Queen was in her chamber, a-weeping very sore.
  There came Lord Leicester's spirit and It scratched upon the door,
  Singing "Backwards and forwards and sideways may you pass, 
  But I will walk beside you till you face the looking-glass.
  The cruel looking-glass that will never show a lass,
  As hard and unforgiving or as wicked as you was!"
  
  Queen Bess was Harry's daughter. Now kiss your partners all!
  
  The Queen was in her chamber, her sins were on her head.
  She looked the spirits up and down and statelily she said: -
  "Backwards and forwards and sideways though I've been,
  Yet I am Harry's daughter and I am England's Queen!"
  And she saw her day was over and she saw her beauty pass
  In the cruel looking-glass, that can always hurt a lass
  More hard than any ghost there is or any man there was!
  
  Bellamy's "Looking Glass": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTEmSfogq-E
12 Nov 17 - 03:31 AM (#3888104)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Queen Elizabeth the First song?
From: wilbyhillbilly

Thanks very much Joe and G-Force it could well be the one.

I've been away from my screen for some time due to illness but am getting back to it slowly, nice to see you are still about Joe, I really miss some of my old friends from years ago, Kat, John from Kansas, Susan etc., but it won't be long now before I join them, in the meantime lots and lots of happy memories.

12 Nov 17 - 06:42 AM (#3888119)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Queen Elizabeth the First song?
From: GUEST

Beth is over the moon and would like to convey her thanks. Mudcat has done it again!!!

THIS IS THE ONE.

She is now rehearsing hard.