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Lyr Req: In London So Fair

02 Aug 01 - 07:16 PM (#520050)
Subject: In London So Fair
From: GUEST,Robyn Brook

I'm searching for the lyrics to the song "In London So Fair" which was recorded by Mary Ann Carolan on a compilation CD of traditional songs. It was also recorded by Susan McKeown on her early CD 'Brushes and Briars'.

I've been looking around for the lyrics with no luck!

Can anyone out there help me?

Thanks so muc

02 Aug 01 - 07:57 PM (#520077)
Subject: Lyr Add: IN LONDON SO FAIR
From: GUEST,Frank Harte

IN LONDON SO FAIR.

In London so fair a rich lady she lived there,
A lady of great beauty and great might,
And unto this lady fair I became a servant there,
And in me she took great delight.

This lady had a son to wealth and beauty born,
And he became a sailor on the sea,
And he courted this maiden fair till he did her heart ensnare,
And then he was bound out for the sea.

She came to him one day in his cabin where he lay,
And the tears from her eyes they down did flow,
Saying young man you are going away far far from me to stray,
And to leave me on the shore all for to mourn.

Ah no, no says he such a thing can never be,
For as long as I'm a sailor on the sea,
The ship that I command it might never reach the land,
If ever I prove false love unto thee.

As he spoke these words she knew that the ship with its full crew,
Was waiting to set sail out from the quay,
And she then made up her mind no more she'd stay behind,
But along with him would sail across the sea.

She cut off her yellow hair that hung down her back so fair,
For fear that anybody would her know,
And dressed like a young seaman to the ship 'twas then she ran,
And straightway to the captain she did go.

She being so neat and trim complete in every limb,
And her clothes they fitted tightly to her knee,
While the crew did on her gaze the captain to her says,
Young man now were you ever on the sea.

Ah no, no says she I was never on the sea,
But ship me as a young sailor bold,
For its now I mean to go where the stormy winds do blow,
To gather up some silver and some gold.

She went aboard as crew and her features no one knew,
And she sailed along with them before the mast,
She worked as sailor boy while the stormy winds blew high,
And to herself she kept her secret fast.

As he gazed on her one day from his cabin where he lay,
Her features unto him they seemed well known,
He says you're like a lover of mine I think on many the time,
That I left all on the shore now for to mourn.

Ah no, no says she such a thing can never be,
For as long as you are a sailor on the sea,
The ship that you command it might never reach the land,
I ever you prove false love unto me.

His own words he knew that she spoke far from the crew,
And into his arms she flew just like a dove,
He said do not shed a tear you have followed me my dear,
And its now we will get married for true love.

They called for clerk, the called for a mate,
They called for a clergyman likewise,
And 'twas then they both did wed and together they do bed,
And its now they are living happy on the tide.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 2-Feb-02.

02 Aug 01 - 09:32 PM (#520122)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In London So Fair
From: Brían

Well, Robyn. I'd say thats some service from one of the best.

Brían.

06 Aug 01 - 02:08 PM (#521964)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In London So Fair
From: GUEST,Robyn

I'll say!

Thanks very much for your reply... I'm thrilled. Can you tell me anything about the origin of this ballad?

Best regards,

Robyn

07 Aug 01 - 06:45 PM (#522982)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In London So Fair
From: GUEST,Frank

Dear Robyn,

The song is on a CD. that Donal Lunny and myelf made some years ago in 1987, it is called 'Daybreak and a Candle-End'it is still available from Mary Lou Philbin ossianusa@aol.com Ijust quote the brief note that I wrote to the song at that time.

This is another of the great ballad types, that of 'the female sailor,' the girl who decides not to be left at home and so disguises herself as'a young sailor bold' to accompany her lover across the sea. One never questions the fact that the cutting off of her hair makes her unrecognisable to the captain. There are many ballads of this type where the lover makes herself known by producing a broken token, usually half of a ring. In this case she is discovered by repeating the phrase or promise that he made earlier in the ballad. 'His own words he knew that she spoke far from the crew.'

The version of this song I first heard from the singing of the late Mary ann Carolan from Drogheda, County Louth.

Slan...........Frank

07 Aug 01 - 07:22 PM (#523009)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In London So Fair
From: Sorcha

Hi, Frank! Haven't seen you around for a while. Glad you're back.