The spring time of the year (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
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- Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-12-05). Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 321 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: The spring time of the year
Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams
Lyricist: Traditional
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB, SB divisi
Genre: Secular, Partsong, Folksong
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1913 Stainer & Bell
Description: Five English Folk Songs, No. 2
Note from original publication”: ‘The words of this song are taken from a long ballad called “Lovely on the Water.” As the rest of the ballad is not very interesting and, moreover has very little to do with the first two verses (here given), the editor has felt himself justified in taking these two verses only out of which to make a choral movement.’
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
the full version of the text is provided:
As I walked out one morning
In the spring time of the year,
I overheard a sailor boy,
Likewise a lady fair.
They sang a song together,
Made the valleys for to ring;
While the birds on spray and the meadows gay
Proclaimed the lovely spring.
Said Willy unto Nancy,
“Oh we soon must sail away,
For it’s lovely on the water
To hear the music play.
For our Queen she do want seamen,
So I will not stay on shore.
I will brave the wars for my country
Where the blund’ring cannons roar.”
Poor Nancy fell and fainted
But soon he brought her to,
For it's there they kissed and they embraced
And took a fond adieu.
“Come change your ring with me, my love,
For we may meet once more;
But there's One above that will guard you, love,
Where the blund’ring cannons roar.
Four pounds, it is our bounty,
And that must do for thee.
For to help the aged parents
While I am on the sea.”
For Tower Hill is crowded
With mothers weeping sore,
For their sons are gone to face the foe
Where the blund’ring cannons roar.
Traditional from Norfolk