|
23 Oct 02 - 10:40 AM (#809256) Subject: Lyr Req: 'Bessie the Beauty from Rossinore Hill' From: corvi Hi I actually have most of the lyrics to this song - but am unsure of the place name spellings. There are only two - the river in the first verse and the place in the last verse - perhaps I'm being picky - but I like to be correct! Below is the text - any help would be greatly appreciated By the sweet River Nanni(?) in the bright summer season oh, the weather is fine and the meadow's in bloom the small birds sang quietly and everything most pleasant which coaxed me for to wander away from my loom I carelessly did stray by a lonely plantation for to view a fair one; some time I stood still she equalled bright Flora in her lofty station she's Bessie my beauty from Rossinore Hill With most admiration I did gaze upon Bessie oh, her eyes were as bright as the dew on the Rhine Queen Helen was never so handsome or pretty as she when she wanders down by the woodside I eagerly longed to get in conversation with that matchless fair one who had me in thrall I courteously bowed with great humiliation and spoke to Miss Bessie from Rossinore Hill "Oh darling, then really, please pardon my folly for daring to speak to a goddess, you know and pity a slave that's in deep melancholy and destructed by Cupid, I'll tell you such woe your glance and appearance has my heart attracted you may kill or cure me, but I am here at your will this killing affection, it has me distracted oh Bessie, my beauty from Rossinore Hill." She said then, "Young man, you must stop this intrusion on some other fair one, perhaps you may strain and I do here desire that you make a conclusion for I will not be flattered, I'll tell you quite plain you know I'm no goddess, not purely celestial but a poor peasant's daughter who lives near the mill so banter no longer, and treat me terrestrial said Bessie, my beauty from Rossinore Hill. "I said then, "Fair maiden, I am no deceiver and the words that I speak are the thoughts of my mind and for to be candid, I am only a weaver though for future in life, I'll be constant and kind I seek your affection, and care not for money that glittering tripe, sure it will not coax well my heart's in your bosom, accept it, my honey my Bessie and beauty from Rossinore Hill. "She said then, "Young man, you do speak with sound reason and I cannot slight you at all for being poor I'm happy for poverty, it is not high treason and wealth unto any man is never secure 'til I see my parents, I can give you no answer though I wish everymore, my commands they'll fulfil and to proceed further is only romancing said Bessie my beauty from Rossinore Hill." Well I bid her goodbye, and I parted with Bessie I watched her cross Overton(?)that enchanted place and the most hard tyrant I am sure would me pity if he was aware of my heart-wrenching kiss so now I'll go home and apply to my shuttle I'll use my exertions, my heart and my skill and unto blind Cupid I mean to do battle for he wounded me sore upon Rossinore Hill Thanks |
|
26 Oct 02 - 03:10 PM (#811953) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Bessie the Beauty from Rossinore Hill' From: Jim Dixon I have found a couple of references to a slow air called "Bessy [or Bessie] the Beauty of Rossinore Hill" on two albums called They Love Music Mightily and Sounds from the North -- but those recordings presumably don't have words, so I guess they can't help you with the spelling. According to the UK Ordnance Survey, there are several places in the UK named Overton, but I'm guessing your song is Irish, and I haven't been able to find an Overton in Ireland, nor can I find a good site that lets you look up Irish place-names. I had better luck with the River Nanny, which seems to be in Meath. I haven't found a map of it, or a complete description of it, but Google finds over 100 references to it on the Internet. And except in the title of the tune, I can't find any reference to Rossinore Hill, either. |