Get all 13 GreenMatthews releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Songs of the Sea, Festive Favourites, The Wind in the Willows, Virtual Wassail, Midwinter Revels, Roots&Branches, Come Again! Sweet Love Doth Now Invite (live), A Christmas Carol: A Folk Opera, and 5 more.
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Nine men to guard the British rank and five to watch the town above
And one to stand on either hand and one to let Bill Tenor out.
He had eighty weight of Spanish iron between his neck bone and his knee,
But Billy took Johnny up under his arm and carried him away right easily.
And Billy broke locks and Billy broke bolts and Billy broke all that he came nigh,
Until he came to the dungeon door and that he broke right manfully.
So they stole them a horse and away did ride and who but they rode gallantly,
Until they came to the river bank, to the river running wild and free
The British are comin' close sound their heels and who but they stood fearfully,
'Till Billy took Johnny up on his back and carried him over it easily.
And Billy broke locks and Billy broke bolts and Billy broke all that he came nigh,
Until he came to the dungeon door and that he broke right manfully.
So they stopped at an inn so that they might dance and who but they danced merrily
And the very best dancer among them all was old John Webb who was just set free!
And Billy broke locks and Billy broke bolts and Billy broke all that he came nigh,
Until he came to the dungeon door and that he broke right manfully.
And Billy broke locks and Billy broke bolts and Billy broke all that he came nigh,
Until he came to the dungeon door and that he broke right manfully.
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2. |
The Bone Lace Weaver
03:27
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I am a maid new come to town
but long I will not not tarry
I have but two years for to stay
and then I think to marry
But if a brisk young man come in
and he is no deceiver
To court him then I will begin
Like a bone lace weaver
If that he be a gentleman
and vows he'll love me kindly
then for him I'll do what I can
and strive to please him finely.
Or if he be a yeoman good,
and to me no deceiver,
then I will strive to please his mood
Like a bone-lace weaver.
We get our living with our hands
and have our wits about us.
We hope to purchase house & lands
though young men they do flout us.
But let them all say what they can
We'll trust in no deceiver,
We'll sing you songs of peg and nan,
Like a bone-lace weaver.
We keep our hands both white and neat
our pretty lace to handle,
We sing our sonnets all complete
By daylight or a candle,
And when our task we ended have
Our Mistress shows such fancy
We sport and sing, that all do ring,
O Brave Bone-lace weaver.
And thus we lead most merry lives
We heed no young mens saying
We scorn for to be married wives
We'll keep our fingers playing.
We'll wear brave laces on our heads
We scorn as yeat a beaver,
We'll work apace brave Flanders lace
O brave Bone-lace weaver.
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3. |
High Germany
04:07
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“Oh Polly my dear Polly, the rout has now begun,
And we must march away, love, to the beating of the drum.
And so, my darling Polly, you must along with me
For we're off to fight the war, my love, in High Germany.”
“Oh Billy love, oh Billy, come list what I do say,
My feet they are so tender, I cannot march away.
And besides, my dearest Billy, I am with child by thee,
Not fitted for the war, my love, in High Germany.”
"A horse have I for you, my love, and on it you shall ride
So sweet and oh so tender all like a new-wed bride
And so, my darling Polly, you must along with me
For we're off to fight the war, my love, in High Germany.”
Oh, cursed be the cruel wars that ever they should rise
And out of Merry England press many a man likewise.
They pressed my true love from me, likewise my brothers three,
And sent them to the cruel war in High Germany."
“Oh Polly my dear Polly, the rout has now begun,
And we must march away, love, to the beating of the drum.
And so, my darling Polly, you must along with me
For we're off to fight the war, my love, in High Germany.”
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4. |
Daddy Fox
03:50
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5. |
Childegrove and Indian
04:08
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6. |
The Blue Cockade
05:37
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8. |
Worms and Palfreys
03:37
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9. |
Linden Lea
03:49
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There was a jolly miller once
Liv'd on the river Dee ;
He danc'd and he sang from morn till night,
No lark so blithe as he.
And this the burden of his song
For ever us'd to be
I care for nobody, no, not I,
If nobody cares for me.
The reason why he was so blithe,
He once did thus unfold
The bread I eat my hands have earn'd;
I covet no man's gold ;
I do not fear next quarter-day;
In debt to none I be.
I care for nobody, no, not I,
If nobody cares for me.
Begone, dull care!
I prithee begone from me;
Begone, dull care!
You and I will never agree.
Long time thou hast been sitting here,
And faith, thou wouldst me kill;
But faith, dull care,
You never shall have your will.
Too much care
Will turn a young man grey;
Too much care
Will turn all men to clay.
We'll hunt the wild boar through the wood,
And merrily pass the day;
At night, over a flowing bowl,
We'll drive dull care away.
A coin or two I've in my purse,
To help a needy friend ;
A little I can give the poor,
And still have some to spend.
Though I may fail, yet I rejoice,
Another's good hap to see.
I care for nobody, no, not I,
If nobody cares for me.
So let us his example take,
And be from malice free;
Let every one his neighbour serve,
As served he'd like to be.
And merrily push the can about
And drink and sing with glee;
If nobody cares a doit for us,
Why not a doit care we.
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GreenMatthews Coventry, UK
Chris Green and Sophie Matthews play English traditional songs and tunes in a thoroughly 21st-century kick-ass style. Using a blend of ancient instruments such as cittern, English bagpipes and shawm as well as modern folk instruments such as guitar, flute and piano accordion, they breathe new life into material from hundreds of years ago, making it fresh and relevant for a modern audience. ... more
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