Bard 03

TRADITIONAL AND PERIOD SONGS FOR THE SCA -trans. by Ioseph of Locksley All are Public Domain, save where otherwise noted * A CALLING-ON SONG recorded by Steeleye Span "Below the Salt" revised by Ioseph of Locksley Good people, pray heed my petition Your attention I beg and I crave for if you are inclined for to listen An abundance of pastime will have I am come to relate many stories Concerning our Forefather's Time And I trust they will drive out your worries Of this we are all in one mind Many tales of the poor and the gentry Of labour and love will arise There are no finer songs in this country In East, West or Middle likewise There is one thing more needing mention The dances are danced all in fun So, now that you've heard my intention I'll lay on to the beat of the Drum! * GAUDETE from: Piae Cantones (Swedish, 1582) Recorded by Steeleye Span "Below the Salt" Gaudete! Gaudete Christus est natus Ex Maria Virginae, gaudete! Tempus ad est gratiae Hoc quod optibamus Carmina laetitae Devote redamus Deus homo factus est Naturam erante Mundus renovatus est A Christo regnante! Ezecheelis porta Clausa per transistor Unde lux est orta Sallus invenitor Ergo nostra contio Psallat jam in lustro Benidicat domino

(repeat)

Sallus Regi Nostro! * * KING HENRY (Child #32) recorded by Steeleye Span "Below the Salt" Let never a man a-wooing wend that lacketh thing-s three: A store of gold, an open heart, and full of charity And this was said of King Henry, as he lay quite alone For he's taken him to a Haunted hall, seven miles from the town He's chased the deer now him When the fattest buck in all His huntsmen followed him to When loud the wind was heard

before, and the doe down by the glen the flock, King Henry he has slain the Hall, to make them burly cheer to howl, and an earthquake rocked the floor

As darkness covered all the Hall where they sat at their meat The grey dogs, yowling, left their food and crept to Henry's feet And louder howled the rising wind, and burst the fastened door When in there came a grisly ghost, stamping on the floor! Her head hit the rooftree of the house, her middle you could not span Each frightened Huntsman fled the hall, and left the King alone Her teeth were like the tether-stakes, her nose like club or mall And nothing less she seemed to be than a Fiend that comes from Hell! Some meat, some meat, you King Henry, some meat you bring to me Go kill your horse, you King Henry, and bring some meat to me! And he has slain his berry-brown steed, it made his heart full sore For she's eaten it up, both skin and bone, left nothing but hide and hair! More meat, more meat, you King Henry, more meat you give to me! Oh you must kill your good greyhounds, and bring some meat to me! And he has slain his good greyhounds, it made his heart full sore For she's eaten them up, both skin and bone, left nothing but hide and hair! More meat, more meat, you King Henry, more meat you give to me! Oh, you must slay your good goshawks, and bring some meat to me! And he has slain his good goshawks, it made his heart full sore For she's eaten them up, both skin and bone, left nothing but feathers bare! Some drink, some drink, you King Henry, some drink you give to me Oh you sew up your horse's hide, and bring some drink to me! And he's sewn up the bloody hide, and a pipe of wine put in And she's drank it up all in one drop, left never a drop therein! A bed, a bed, now King Henry, a bed you'll make for me! Oh you must pull the heather green, and make it soft for me! And he has pulled the heather green, and made for her a bed And taken has he his good mantle, and over it he has spread. Take off your clothes, now King Henry, and lie down by my side! Now swear, now swear, you King Henry, to take me as your Bride! Oh God forbid, said King Henry, that ever the like betide; That ever a Fiend that comes from Hell should stretch down by my side! Then the night was gone, and the day was come and the sun did fill the Hall

The fairest Lady that ever was seen lay twixt him and the wall! I've met with many a Gentle Knight that gave me such a fill, But never before with a Perfect Knight, that gave me all my Will! *

* ALL THRU THE NIGHT While the Moon her watch is keeping all thru the night While the weary world is sleeping all thru the night O'er thy spirit gently stealing, Visions of delight revealing Breathes a pure and holy feeling all thru the night Though this Bard must roam full lonely My true harp shall sing praise only Love's soft dream, alas, is over Yet my strains of love shall hover Near the Presence of my Lover Hark! A solemn bell is ringing Thou, my King are heavenward winging Earthly dust from off Thee shaken Soul immortal shalt thou waken With thy last, dim journey taken Neath this Stone my King is sleeping Stars around Him softly sweeping Once and Future King preserving Britain's Saviour there reserving All around him Stars observing all thru the night Holl am ran-tire sehr thuh wed-ont ahr heed ah nos Dum-ar forth ee vro go-gawn-yont ahr heed ah nos Gol-i ar-all you tuh wull ooch ee are thang os gweer bred vairtch-ooch tie-leer nave oith m'yoon thu-wail-ooch ahr heed ah nos note: The last verse is phonetic Welsh. "ll" is pronounced by putting the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth, and saying "h" and "l" at the same time...sort of. "ch" is pronounced as German.

*

* FARAIS UN VERS DREIT RIEN -William IX, Count of Poitiers tune: Ioseph of Locksley copyright 1976 W.J.Bethancourt III recorded: "Celtic Circle Dance" I'll make some verses just for fun Not about me, nor anyone Nor deeds that noble Knights have done, Nor Love's ado I made them riding, in the sun.. My horses helped, too! When I was born? I cannot say! I am not sad, I am not fey, I am not stiff, nor degage... What shall I do? Long since, enchanted by a Fay, Star-touched I grew. Dreaming for living I'll mistake Unless I'm told when I'm awake My heart is sad, and nigh to break With bitter rue And I don't care three crumbs of cake Nor even two! So ill am I that Death I fear (I nothing know but what I hear...) I hope there is a doctor near no matter who! If he can cure me, I'll pay dear; If not: He's thru! I have a Lady; who, or where I cannot tell you, but I swear She treats me neither ill, nor fair, But I'm not blue... Just as the * Normans * stay...up there... OUT of Poitou! I have not seen, yet I adore This distant love, she sets no store On what I think, and furthermore... ('tis sad, but true) Others there are...some three...or four... I'm....faithful....to! I've made this verse, if you'll allow

I think I'll pass it on right now To one who'll send it on, somehow, Up to Anjou. He'd tell me what it means, I vow, If he but knew! * * DIE GEDANKEN SIND FREI -from the Bundshuh Rebellion March 17, 1525 Translation by Arthur Kevess copyright 1950 People's Songs Inc. recorded by the Limelighters "Live - In Person" Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten? Sie fliehen vorbei wie naechlichte shaten Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jager ershiessen Es bleibet dabei: die Gedanken sind frei! Die Gendanken sind frei: my thoughts freely flower Die Gedanken sind frei: my thoughts give me power No scholar can map them, no hunter can trap them No man can deny: Die Gedanken sind frei! Ich denke was ich will, und was mich begluecket Doch alles in der Still, und wie es sich shicket Mein Wunsch und Begehren kann niemand verwehren Es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! I think as I please, and this gives me pleasure My concience decrees: this Right I must treasure! My thoughts will not cater to Duke nor Dictator No man can deny: Die Gedanken sind frei! Und sperrt man mich Das alles sind rein Denn meine Gedanken Und Mauern entzwei:

ein im finsteren Kerker vegebliche Werke; zerreissen die Schranken Die Gedanken sind frei!

And if tyrants take me and throw me in prison My thoughts will burst free, like blossoms in season! Foundations will crumble, the prison will tumble, And free men will cry: Die Gedanken sind frei! Es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken Sind Frei! * RUE -Anonymous -recorded by Theodore Bikel Come, all you fair and tender girls that flourish in your prime, prime Beware, beware, make your garden fair; let no man steal your thyme, thyme Let no man steal your thyme.

For when your thyme is past and gone he'll care no more for you, you And every day that your garden is waste will be spread o'er with rue, rue Will be spread o'er with rue. A woman is a branched tree, and Man a singing wind, wind And from her branches, carelessly, he'll take what he can find, find He'll take what he can find. * * WHERE DOES IT LEAD? -Anonymous recorded by Theodore Bikel Where does it lead, this strange young love of mine? Only Heaven and the lilies know! Where does it lead, this strange young love of mine? I must go down where the lilies grow.... Play on a lily reed, lily low Play on until she too, heeds my woe! Where does it lead, this strange young love of mine? Any place it leads me I will go. * TWO MAGICIANS (Child #44) recorded by Steeleye Span "Below the Salt" She looked out of the window, as white as any milk He looked in at the window, as black as any silk (Chorus): Hello, hello, hello, hello you coal black smith You have done me no harm! You never shall have my maidenhead That I have kept so long! I'd rather die a maid, aye, and then she said, And be buried all in my grave, Than to have such a nasty, husky, dusky, fusty, musty coal black smith! A maiden I will die! She became a duck, a duck all in the stream And he became a waterdog, and fetched her back again She became a star, a star all in the night And he became a thundercloud and muffled her out of sight She became a rose, a rose all in the wood And he became a bumblebee and kissed her where she stood She became a nun, a nun all dressed in white And he became a chantry priest to pray for her by night

She became a trout, a trout all in the brook And he became a feathered fly, and catched her with his hook She became a quilt, a quilt all on her bed And he became a coverlet, and gained her maidenhead! note: This has MANY variants. See Robert Graves' "The White Goddess" pg. 401! *

* QUEEN ELANOR'S CONFESSION (Child #156) recorded by the Chad Mitchell Trio Queen Elanor was a sick woman And afraid that she would die So she sent for two Friars out of France To come to her speedilye When the King he heard that the Queen had sent For Friars from over the Sea He called on his noble Earl Marshal To come to him speedily Do you put on one Friar's coat And I'll put on another And we shall to Queen Elanor go One Friar's much like another! "Oh God forbid," said the Earl Marshal "That such a thing should be! For if I should beguile, and damn the Queen, Then hanged I might be!" Then the king he swore upon his Oath, his Sceptre and his Crown, That whatsoever Queen Elanor said He would not write it down So they rode on, and they rode on Till they came to Whitehall The bells did ring, and the Choristers sing And the torches did light withal "Be you two Friars of France," she said "As I suppose you be? For if you be two English Friars Then hanged I may be!" "We are two Friars from France," they said, "As you suppose we be; And we have not been at any Mass

Since we came over the Sea!" "The very first sin that ever I did To you I will unfold: Earl Marshall had my maidenhead Underneath this cloth of gold.." "That is a vile sin," said the King, "May God forgive it thee.." "Amen, Amen!" quoth Earl Marshall With a heavy, heavy heart quoth he! * more *

Queen Elanor's Confession (cont.) "The next vile sin that ever I did To you I'll not deny: I brewed a pot of poison strong To poison King Henrye.." "That is a vile sin," said the King, "May God forgive it thee.." "Amen, Amen!" quoth Earl Marshall, "I wish it so might be!" "The very next sin that ever I did To you I will discover: I poisoned Fair Rosamonde All in the Woodstock bower.." "That is a vile sin," said the King, "May God forgive it thee..." "Amen, Amen!" quoth Earl Marshal "I wish it so might be!" "Do you see yonder little child A-tossing of that ball? That is Earl Marshal's son," she said, "And I love him the best of all!" "And do you see yonder little child a-catching of that ball? That is King Henry's son," she said, "And I love him the worst of all!" "His head is like unto an Ox His nose is like a Boar..." "No matter for that," King Henry said, "I love him the better therefore!" Then the King threw off his Friar's coat Appeared all in red She weeped, she cried, she wrung her hands, She said she'd been betrayed!

Then the King turned to his Earl Marshal, And a grim look looked he, And he said: "Earl Marshal, but for my Oath, Then hanged you would be!" note: This is an absolute slander on the actual character of William Marshal, and on Elanor of Aquitane. Wm. Marshal was considered the best Knight in the world, in his day. *

* ROBIN HOOD AND THE PEDLAR (Child #132) -recorded by Steeleye Span There chanced to be A Pedlar bold there He put his pack all And merrily trudged

a Pedlar bold, chanced to be on his back o'er the lea

By chance he met two troublesome blades Two troublesome blades they chanced to be And one of them was Robin Hood The other, Little John so free (Chorus): Gentlemen of high-born blood Gamble Gold and Robin Hood! "Oh Pedlar, Pedlar, what's Come speedily, and tell to "I've several suits of the And silken bowstrings two,

in your pack? me" gay green silk, or three."

"If you've several suits of the gay green silk And silken bowstrings two or three, Then, by my body," said Robin Hood, "Half your pack belongs to me!" "Oh nay, oh nay," "Such a thing can For there's never Can take one half

said the Pedlar bold never be! a man in Nottingham my pack from me!"

Then Little John he drew his sword, The Pedlar by his pack did stand They fought 'til the blood in streams did flow 'Til he cried, "Pedlar, hold your hand!" Then Robin Hood was standing by And he did laugh most merrily Saying "Perhaps a man of smaller scale

Could thrash the Pedlar more than thee!" "Go try, my lord," cried Little John, "Go and try most speedily! There's never a man in Nottingham Can beat the Pedlar, and also me!" Then Robin Hood he drew his sword The Pedlar by his pack did stand They fought 'til the blood in streams did flow 'Til he cried, "Pedlar, hold your hand!" "Pedlar, Pedlar, what's thy name Come speedily, and tell to me, For I am called bold Robin Hood And Little John, he stands by me!" * more * Robin Hood and the Pedlar (cont.) I'm Gamble Gold of the Gay Green Wood I've traveled far beyond the sea For killing a man in my father's land And from my country forced to flee" "If you're Gamble Gold of the Gay Green Wood Then my cousin you must be" We'll repair to a tavern near And bottles crack most merrily!" * note: sing the Chorus after every other verse, or so. * TWA CORBIES (Child #26) recorded by Joe Bethancourt "Celtic Circle Dance" As I gang waukin' all alane I heard twa corbies makin' a mane the t'ane untae t'ither spake whaur sall we gang and dine today? On yonder hill by yon auld fail dyke I wot there lies a nu slain knight and nae man ken that he lies there save hawk and hound and Lady fair His hound is tae th' huntin' gaen his hawk tae fetch th' wyld fowl haem his Lady's ta'en anither mate

so we may mak' noo our dinner sweet Thou sall sit on his bonny hause-bein and I'll pluck oot his bonny blue e'en His luvly strands of gowden haar sall theek our nest when it grows bare There's mony a man for him but nane sall ken whaur he o'wer his whyte bones when the wynd sall blaw forever

mak's mane has gaen they are bare mare.

*

* LORD GREGORY (Child #76) (aka: The Lass of Loch Royal) -recorded by Judy Collins, Joan Baez &c. best recording is by The Silly Sisters I am a King's daughter, I come from Cappa Quin In search of Lord Gregory, pray God I find him The wind beats on my yellow hair, the dew wets my skin My babe is cold in my arms, Lord Gregory let me in! Lord Gregory is not here, and likewise can't be seen He's gone to bonnie Scotland to bring home his new Queen Do you remember, Lord Gregory, as we sat at the wine We exchanged rings, love, and the worst one was mine Yours was of the beaten gold, and mine of black tin Yours cost a shilling, love, and mine but a pin. Do you remember, Lord Gregory, that night in my father's hall When you stole away my heart, and that was worst of all Go away from these windows, and likewise this hall For deep in the sea you shall have your downfall!

A curse on you, mother, and my curse has been swore For I dreamed my fairest Maid was calling at my door Oh lie down, you foolish one, oh lie down and sleep 'Tis long ago her golden locks were drowned in the deep! Go saddle me my best black horse, the brown and the bay Go saddle me the best horse in my stable this day I will range over valleys, over mountains I'll ride 'Til I find my fairest Maid, and stand by her side! *

* THE SEVEN JOYS OF MARY -recorded by The Silly Sisters The first good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of One To see Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, when he was first Her Son! (Chorus): When He was first Her Son, good man, and blessed may He be! With Father, Son and Holy Ghost thru all Eternity! The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of Two To see Her own Son, Jesus Christ, to make the lame to go! To make the lame to go, good man, and blessed ...etc. The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of Three To see Her own Son, Jesus Christ, to make the blind to see! The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of Four To see Her own Son, Jesus Christ, to read the Bible o'er! The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of Five To see Her own Son, Jesus Christ, to bring the dead alive! The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of Six To see Her own Son, Jesus Christ, upon the Crucifix! The last good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of Seven To see Her own Son, Jesus Christ, to wear the Crown of Heaven! * SILVER WHISTLE -recorded by The Silly Sisters

Ah, who will play the Silver Whistle? When my King's son to sea is going? As Scotland prepares; prepares his coming! Upon a dark ship on the ocean...... The ship it has three masts of With ropes so light, of French So bonnie then, are six golden To bring my King's son ashore,

silver silk woven! pulleys and landing.....

When my King's son he comes back home No bruising stones will put before him! Loaves of bread, bread will be baking For Charles, with eyes so blue, enticing....... Ah, welcome to you, Fame and Honour! Pipes with tunes of joy attend you! I will be dancing! I will be singing! And I will play the Silver Whistle............. And I will play the Silver Whistle! * * HOW SHOULD I YOUR TRUE LOVE KNOW? -Wm. Shakespeare (Hamlet) (Ophelia's song) Am E Am A dim How should I your true love know? C G Dm Am From another one? Dm Am A dim By his cockle-hat and staff Am C G Am G And his sandal shoon. He He At At

is dead and gone, Lady, is dead and gone! his head a soft green turf his heels a stone.

White his shroud as mountain snow, Larded o'er with flowers, Which bewept to the grave did go With true lovers showers. * THE FALSE KNIGHT UPON THE ROAD (Child #3) -recorded by Steeleye Span

"Oh where are you going to?" said the False Knight upon "Oh I'm going to my school." said the wee boy and still "What is that upon your back?" said the False Knight upon "Ah weel, it is my books!" said the wee boy and still

the road he stood the road he stood

Oh, what have you got there? I have got my bread and cheese! Oh won't you give me some? No, ne'r a bite or crumb! I wish you Yes, and a I wish you And a good

was on the good staff was on the ship under

sands. in my hands! sea. me!

And the ship to sink. An inch away from shore! I think I hear a bell. And it rings you straight to Hell! *

* GAUDETE: THE TRANSLATION! from: Piae Cantones (1582) -translated (?) by Ioseph of Locksley Latin:

English:

Gaudete! Gaudete Christus est natus Ex Maria Virginae, gaudete!

Gaudette (Fr.) and Christopher have been naughty with Maria (Sp.) from ( or in ) Virginia, USA.

Tempus ad est gratiae Hoc quod optibamus Carmina laetitae Devote redamus Deus homo factus est

Tempus (1) is grateful for the pawnshop while Carmine's breasts are late in developing. He remains optomistic as they ask to be read the election results.

Naturam erante Mundus renovatus est A Christo regnante!

Nature has erred and made God a poofter. Next month, renovation, and Christopher may get pregnant.

Ezecheelis porta Clausa per transistor Unde lux est orta Sallus invenitor

Eziekiel is carrying Santa Claus with a transistor radio. Sally has invented ( or ought to invent ) a deluxe model of fancy underwear.

Ergo nostra contio Psallat jam in lustro Benidicat domino Sallus Regi Nostro!

The Ergones (2) are in our nostrils, but we lust for "Psallat Jam." "The Benedictine dominos will reign over Sally" says Nostradamus.

(1) A character from "Thieve's World." Damn Bob Asprin gets in EVERYWHERE! (2) Alien beings reputed to be used-car salesmen. *

* BURGUNDIAN CAROL -Bernard La Monnonye (ca. 1650) English translation by Oscar Brand Dm E7 A The Winter season of the year when to this world Our Lord was born F C G7 C F Dm A7 Dm The ox and donkey, so they say, did keep His Holy Presence warm. A7 Dm A7 Dm C F A7 Dm A7 Dm Gm A7 Dm How many oxen and donkeys, now, if they were there when first He came, A7 Dm A7 Dm G A Dm Gm A7 Dm How many oxen and donkeys you know, at such a time would do the same? And on that night it has been told These humble beasts so rough and rude, Throughout the night of Holy Birth, Drank no water, ate no food. How many oxen and donkeys, now, If they were there, when first He came, How many oxen and donkeys you know At such a time would do the same? As soon as to these humble beasts Appeared Our Lord, so mild and sweet,

With joy they knelt before His Grace, And gently kissed his tiny feet. How many oxen and donkeys now, Dressed in ermine, silk and such, How many oxen and donkeys you know At such a time would do as much? * ################################################################