1. |
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Now we are met, let mirth abound!
And let the catch and toast go round!
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2. |
Two Magicians
02:59
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A lady sat by her own front door, waiting on her man
When by there came a lusty smith, with his hammer in his hand, saying
"You are such a maiden fair, all in your robes of red;
Now will you take me in your arms, and have me in your bed?"
"Away, away! You bold blacksmith, what you do say is wrong;
Dost thou think a lass like me can be had for but a song?"
Chorus:
He sang bide lady bide your lust for me don't hide
This dusty smith will be your love, so lay aside your pride
Bide lady bide your lust for me don't hide
This dusty smith will be your love so lay aside your pride
The lady she took out her wand and held it high in her hand
she turned herself into a dove, saying catch me if you can
So the blacksmith shook his hammer, and it turned to a magic stick
And he became a soaring hawk and he dove upon her quick
-Chorus-
The lady she became a nun, all dressed in novice white
And he became a habit for to pray with her by night
So she became a full dress ship a'sailing on the sea
And he became a sailor, and aboard of her went he
The lady she became a rose, on a rosebud in the wood
And he became the morning dew, and he sprinkled her where she stood
So the lady she became a horse, dark as the night is black
and he became a golden saddle, for to ride upon her back
-Chorus-
The lady chewed upon her wand, deciding what comes next
And he admired this paragon of the fairer sex
With a laugh she turned into a man, and leered upon him good
He became a bonny lass, and she took him where he stood
-Chorus-
This dusty smith will be your love, so lay aside your pride!
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3. |
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Pastime with good company,
I love and shall until I die
Grudge who lust, but none deny
So God be pleased, thus live will I
For my pastance: Hunt, sing, and dance
My heart is set
All goodly sport, for my comfort,
who shall me let?
Youth must have some dalliance,
of good or ill, some pastance
company, methinks then best,
all thoughts and fancies to digest.
For idleness is sweet mistress
to vices all
then who can say, but mirth and play
is best of all?
Company with honesty is virtue vices to flee
Company is good and ill
but every man has his free will
the best ensue, the worst eschew
my mind shall be
Virtue to use, vice to refuse,
thus shall I use me!
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4. |
Twiddles
02:25
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When the boats all get to sailing, and the men are off and gone
what about the women who are up and left alone?
D'you think we sit and twiddle thumbs until our lads come home?
Oh there's other things to twiddle when a girl's left on her own!
CHORUS:
And it's twiddly-eye-dee-eye-dee-eye, twiddly-eye-dee-ay,
It's often times a lad'll leave you broken in dismay
And it's twiddly-eye-dee-eye-dee-eye, twiddly-eye-dee-ay,
There's other things to twiddle when the lads have sailed away
Oh I remember Nancy, she was young and she was gay
She won the heart of Captain Dan, but then he sailed away
He left her high and dry with just a kiss upon the chin
But as his ship went sailing out, another ship sailed in
-CHORUS-
And then there was Lucinda Brown, as fair as any maid
Her true love went a-voyagin', a sailor-man by trade
"Keep the fires burning, love!" Those were the words he spoke
So she found herself another lad to keep the fire stoked
When Lucinda's man came back and knocked upon the door
she was as glad to see him as she'd ever been before
He left her sleeping in her bed, but Lucy didn't care
'Cause the poor guy in the closet sure could use a little air!
-CHORUS-
Oh ye hear a lot of stories, 'bout the sailors and their sport
About how every sailor has a girl in every port
But if you added two and two, you'd figure out right quick
It's just 'cause every lass has got a lad on every ship!
-CHORUS-
There's other Willie's willin' to twiddle
When your Willie's sailed away!
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5. |
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Completely round is the perfect pearl the oyster manufactures.
Completely round is the carriage wheel that leads to compound fractures.
Completely round is the golden fruit that hangs on the orange tree.
Yes, the circle shape is quite renowned.
And sad to say it can be found in the low-down dirty run around
My true love gave to me. Yes, my true love gave to me.
A perfect square was the velvet box he said my ring would be in.
A perfect square was the envelope he said farewell to me in.
A perfect square is the handkerchief I burnish constantly.
As I dries my eyes of the tears I shed
And blows my nose 'wot turns bright red
A perfect square is my true love's head!
He will not marry me. No! He will not marry me.
Rectangular is that strumpet's door, my true love to sneak through.
Rectangular is the transom hole, the which I had to peek through.
Rectangular is that trollop's room I entered angrily.
And rectangular was the wooden box
That lies beneath the golden flox. They say he died of the chicken pox.
In part, I must agree. One chick too many had he.
Triangular is the piece of pie I eat to ease my sorrow.
Triangular is the hatchet blade I plan to hide tomorrow.
Triangular the relationship that now has ceased to be,
And triangular is the garment thin that fastens on with a safety pin
To a prize I had no wish to win.
It's a lasting memory that my true love gave to me!
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6. |
The Fox
02:43
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The Fox went out on a chilly night
He prayed for the moon to give him light
For he'd many a mile to go that night
Before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o
He'd many a mile to go that night before he reached the town-o
He ran till he came to the farmer's pen
The ducks and the geese were kept therein
He said "a couple of you are gonna grease my chin,
Before I leave this town "
Said a couple of you are gonna grease my chin, before i leave this town-o
He grabbed the grey goose by the neck
slung the duck across his back
And he didn't mind the quack quack quack
And the legs all dangling down-o
He didn't mind the quack quack quack
And the legs all dangling down-o
The old grey woman jumped out of bed
Out of the window she popped her head,
Crying John, John, the grey goose is gone
And the fox is on the town-o, town-o, town-o
John, John, the great goose is gone and the fox is on the town-o
[whistle solo]
He ran till he came to his nice warm den
And there were the little ones, eight, nine, ten
Sayin' Daddy, Daddy, better go back again
For it must be a mighty fine town-o, town-o, town-o
Daddy, Daddy, go back again for it must be a mighty fine town-o
[downbeats] The fox and his wife, without any strife
Cut up the goose with a fork and a knife
They never had such a supper in their life
And the little ones chewed on the bones-o, bones-o, bones-o
They never had such a supper in their life
And the little ones chewed on the bones!
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7. |
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Fair Phyllis I saw sitting all alone
Feeding her flock near to the mountain side.
The shepherds knew not,
They knew not whither she was gone,
But after her lover Amyntas hied,
Up and down he wandered
Whilst she was missing;
When he found her,
O then they fell a-kissing.
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8. |
Greensleeves
02:21
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9. |
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Chorus:
A'roving, a'roving, since roving's been my ruin;
I'll go no more a'roving with you fair maid!
In Amsterdam there lives a maid,
Mark you well what I say
In Amsterdam there lives a maid
And she was mistress of her trade
I'll go no more a'roving with you fair maid!
-Chorus-
Her eyes are like two stars so bright
Mark you well what I say
Her eyes are like two stars so bright
Her face is soft, her step is light
I'll go no more a'roving with you fair maid!
-Chorus-
Her cheeks are like the rosebud's red
Mark you well what I say
Her cheeks are like the rosebud's red
There's a wealth of hair upon her head
I'll go no more a'roving with you fair maid!
-Chorus-
I took this maid out for a walk
Mark you well what I say
I took this maid out for a walk
And we had such a lovely talk
I'll go no more a'roving with you fair maid!
-Chorus-
I took her out and spent my pay
Mark you well what I say
I took her out and spent my pay
And then this maid just faded away!
I'll go no more a'roving with you fair maid!
-Chorus-
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10. |
The Lusty Young Smith
02:51
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A lusty young smith at his vice stood a-filing.
His hammer laid by but his forge still aglow.
When to him a buxom young damsel came smiling,
And asked if to work in her forge he would go.
CHORUS:
With a jingle bang jingle bang jingle bang jingle
With a jingle bang jingle bang jingle hi Ho!
"I will," said the smith, and they went off together,
Along to the young damsel's forge they did go.
They stripped to go to it, 'twas hot work and hot weather.
They kindled a fire and she soon made him blow.
:::CHORUS:::
Her husband, she said, no good work could afford her.
His strength and his tools were worn out long ago.
The smith said "Well mine are in very good order,
And I am now ready my skill for to show."
:::CHORUS:::
Red hot grew his iron, as both did desire,
And he was too wise not to strike while 'twas so.
Said she, "What I get I get out of the fire,
So prithee, strike home and redouble the blow."
Six times did his iron, by vigorous heating,
Grow soft in her forge in a minute or so,
But as often was hardened, still beating and beating,
But the more it was softened, it hardened more slow.
:::CHORUS:::
When the smith rose to go, quoth the dame full of sorrow:
"Oh, what would I give could my husband do so.
Good lad with your hammer come hither tomorrow,
But pray could you use it once more ere you go!"
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11. |
Jabberwocky
01:11
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'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
'Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!'
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought-
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.
And as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
'And has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Calloh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
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12. |
O Danny Boy
02:54
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Oh Danny boy the pipes the pipes are calling
From glen to glen and down the mountain side
The summer's gone and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you 'tis you must go and I must bide
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy oh Danny boy I love you so
And if you come when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an ave there for me
And I will hear tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me
Oh Danny boy the pipes the pipes are calling
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me
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13. |
The Scotsman
02:29
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Well a Scotsman clad in kilt left a bar one evening fair
And one could tell by how he walked he'd drunk more than his share
He fumbled 'round until he could no longer keep his feet
Then he stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street.
Oh, Ring-ding diddle diddle aye-dee-oh
Ring di-diddle aye-oh,
He stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street.
Well about that time two young and lovely girls came walkin' by
And one says to the other, with a twinkle in her eye
"See yon sleeping Scotsman, so strong and handsome built?
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their kilt."
Oh, Ring-ding diddle diddle aye-dee-oh
Ring di-diddle aye-oh,
"I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their kilt."
They crept up on that sleeping Scotsman, quiet as can be
Lifted up his kilt about an inch so they could see
And there behold, for them to see, beneath that Scottish skirt,
Was nothing more than God had graced him with upon his birth.
Oh Ring-ding diddle diddle aye-dee-oh
Ring di-diddle aye-oh,
Was nothing more than God had graced him with upon his birth.
They marveled for a moment, then one said, "We must be gone."
"Let's leave a present for our friend before we move along."
As a gift, they left a blue silk ribbon tied into a bow........
Around the bonnie star the Scot's kilt did lift and show.
Oh Ring-ding diddle diddle aye-dee-oh
Ring di-diddle aye-oh,
Around the bonnie star the Scot's kilt did lift and show.
Now the Scotsman woke to nature's call, and stumbled towards a tree
Behind the bush, he lifts his kilt, and gawks at what he sees,
And in a startled voice he cries to what's before his eyes,
"Och lad, I don't know where you've been, but I see you won first prize!
Oh Ring-ding diddle diddle aye-dee-oh
Ring di-diddle aye-oh,
"Och lad, I don't know where you've been, but I see you won first prize!"
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14. |
Hey Diggy Diggy
05:28
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Hey diggy, diggy,
Jig-a-little-piggy,
Follow the band
Follow the band
Follow the band
Hey diggy, diggy,
Jig-a-little-piggy,
Follow the band
Fall in and follow the band!
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15. |
The Parting Glass
02:37
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Of all the money that e'er I spent
I spent it in good company
And all the harm that e'er I've done
Alas, it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all
Of all the comrades that e'er I've had
They are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I've had
They would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should go and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all
O if I had money enough to spend
and leisure time to sit a while
There is a fair maid in this town
Who sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosie cheeks and ruby lips
She alone has my heart in thrall
So fill to me the parting glass
Goodnight! And joy be with you all
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16. |
Lady of Gold
00:46
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Some men do kiss, some men do touch
this I can, I can allow
but if his purse be not in hand
I must say nay no nay nonny no
Some men do fair entreaties make
this I can I can allow
but 'tis the purse that makes the man
I must say nay no nay nonny no
For we inhabit a kingdom of gold,
(and) I am a lady of gold (thou know'st that)
we inhabit a kingdom of gold
(and) I am a lady of gold
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The Voices of Virtue
The Voices of Virtue are Lady Prudence, Her Majesty's Court Composer, and Lilly Bragg: Village Protest Singer and leader of SERFs, Inc. Both perform solo and as a pair at Renaissance festivals around the country!
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At Night's End
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In addition to her work with the Voices of Virtue, Lady Prudence has produced a number of solo albums, featuring harp, whistle, and voice!
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Kenway's Favorites
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The Rambling Sailors? We love these guys! Whether a rousing a capella sea shanty or a fantastic arrangement of original music, if you like us, you'll love them.
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Looking Out My Window
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