bouzouki

I love Beth Patterson‘s version of this song and have since I heard it live back in 1999.

Heather On the Moor

Oh, as I roved out of a bright May morning, calm and clear was the weather.
I chanced to roam some miles from home among the beautiful blooming heather,
And it’s heather on the moor, over the heather, over the moor and among the heather.
I chanced to roam some miles from home among the beautiful blooming heather.
And it’s heather on the moor.

As I roved along with my hunting song, my heart as light as any feather.
I met a pretty maid upon the way, she was tripping the dew down from the heather.
And it’s heather on the moor, over the heather,
Over the moor and among the heather.
I met a pretty maid upon the way, She was tripping the dew down from the heather,
And it’s heather on the moor.

“Where are you going to my pretty fair maid, by hill or dale come tell me whether.”
Quite modestly she answered me, “to the feeding of my lambs together.”
And it’s heather on the moor, over the heather,
Over the moor and among the heather
Quite modestly she answered me, “to the feeding of my lambs together.”
And it’s heather on the moor.

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The immortal Andy Irvine from Planxty performing an incredible one-man version of The Blacksmith. It’s one of my favorites. (The Déanta version of this one isn’t too bad either!) Stick around at about 3:20 for some awesome playing.

The Blacksmith

A blacksmith courted me,
Nine months and better.
He fairly won my heart,
Wrote me a letter.
With his hammer in his hand,
He looked quite clever.
And if I was with my love,
I’d live for ever.

But where is my love gone,
With his cheeks like roses?
And his good black Billycock on,
Decked round with primroses?
I’m afraid the scorching sun,
Will shine and burn his beauty.
And if I was with my love,
I’d do my duty.

Strange news is come to town.
Strange news is carried.
Strange news flies up and down:
That my love is married.
I wish them both much joy,
Though they can’t hear me.
And may God reward him well,
For the slighting of me.

Don’t you remember when,
You lay beside me?
And you said you’d marry me,
And not deny me?
If I said I’d marry you,
It was only for to try you.
So bring your witness love,
And I’ll not deny you.

No witness have I none,
Save God Almighty.
And may he reward you well,
For the slighting of me.
Her cheeks grew pale and wan,
It made her poor heart tremble
To think she loved that one,
And he proved deceitful.

A blacksmith courted me,
Nine months and better.
He fairly won my heart,
Wrote me a letter.
With his hammer in his hand,
He looked quite clever.
And if I was with my love,
I’d live forever.