We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The London Waterman / Constant Billy

from 52 Folk Songs: Violet by Phil Edwards

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

lyrics

Did you ever hear tell of the young London waterman
Who from Blackfriars did regular ply?
He feathered his oars with such skill and dexterity
Pleasing each maid and delighting each eye.

And he sang so sweet, he sang so merry,
The couples all jostled to hire his wherry,
And be became known as the true lovers' ferry,
But he could not find a true love of his own.

Till there come a young goose girl from Stratford St Mary
And she wanted taking to Farringdon Fair,
But she had not the ha'penny to pay for a wherry
And she sat on the steps in her pretty despair.

But she sang so sweet, she sang so merry,
He put her and all of her geese in his wherry,
And her pretty face was the fare for the ferry
As he rowed her over to Farringdon Fair.

They was married next May time in Stratford St Mary;
And now they have waterman one, two, three, four.
They feather their oars with such skill and dexterity,
Taking the people from shore to shore.

And they sing so sweet, they sing so merry
The people all jostle to hire their wherry,
And everyone goes by the Blackfriars ferry
While he stays at home with a love of his own.

credits

from 52 Folk Songs: Violet, released October 7, 2011

license

tags

about

Phil Edwards Manchester, UK

contact / help

Contact Phil Edwards

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Phil Edwards, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now