|
In Plymouth Town there lived a maid. Bless you young women! In Plymouth Town there lived a maid. O mind what I do say! In Plymouth Town there lived a maid, And she was mistress of her trade. I'll go no more a-roving with you, false maid. Chorus: A-roving, a-roving, Since roving's been my ruin, I'll go no more a-roving with you, false maid. |
I took this fair maid for a walk. Bless you young women! I took this fair maid for a walk. O mind what I do say! I took this fair maid for a walk, And we had such a loving talk. I'll go no more a-roving with you, false maid. Chorus: I took her hand within my own. Bless you young women! I took her hand within my own. O mind what I do say! I took her hand within my own And said "I'm bound for my old home." I'll go no more a-roving with you, False maid. Chorus: |
|
In Plymouth Town there lived a maid. Bless you young women! In Plymouth Town there lived a maid. O mind what I do say! In Plymouth Town there lived a maid, And she was mistress of her trade. I'll go no more a-roving with you, false maid. Chorus: |
Thomas Heywood's The Rape of Lucrece was played in London in about 1630 and contains a tune unmistakably akin to that of 'A-Roving'. It was certainly extremely popular at the time and was presumably taken on board by sailors and used as a capstan or heaving shanty. The words have been rewritten several thousand times by those with an eye for sobriety rather than authenticity. But somehow the original intentions of those ancient singers is never quite sublimated.
| Deutsche Volkslieder | Ahnenforschung | Ferienaufenthalt | Folksongs | Hymns | Genealogy | Pacific Holiday | HOME PAGE | SEARCH | Email |