Popular Music Of The Olden Time Vol 2

Ancient Songs, Ballads, & Dance Tunes, Sheet Music & Lyrics - online book

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	522		ENGLISH SONG AND BALLAD MUSIC.
	Mr. Campbell also gives three stanzas " of the original Border ditty, which was chanted to the melody." These were supplied by Miss M. Pringle, of Jed­burgh. They are evidently a paraphrase of Mrs. Habergham's ballad, as the two following will shew:—
	" 0 once my thyme was young, It flourisli'd night and day; But by there came a false young man, And he stole my thyme away.			Within my garden gay, The rose and lily grew;         [away, But the pride o' my garden is wither'd And it's a' grown o'er wi' rue."
	The tune was not improved in transmission to the Border, as may be seen by comparing the copy in Albyn's Anthology, or Wood's Songs of Scotland (in both of which Mr. Thomas Pringle's song is united to it), with the Lancashire version here printed. The following lines were written to the air by Mr. H. F. Chorley, for the National English Airs. They are entitled " The Widow's Song:"—
	Oh ! leave me to dream and weep, Or lift ye the churchyard stone, And send me my dead, through the twilight deep, For I sit by my hearth alone ! They were three of the blythest fays ! But their mirth—it all is done ! Oh I never could think in those glad, glad I must sit by my hearth alone! [days!			The spring 'mid her bloom goes by, And the summer's glorious sun, Ere I know there are flowers, or a bright blue sky, While I sit by my hearth alone ! Then leave me to dream and weep ! Or lift ye the church-yard stone : I am weary, weary ; better sleep, Than sit by my hearth alone !
	From a variety of traditional versions, I have selected the following. -The Seven Dials copies are very corrupt, and I am informed that they are frequently reprinted from the dictation of ballad-singers, who require a supply for sale, instead of from earlier copies.