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.

True Thomas

from 52 Folk Songs: Blue by Phil Edwards

/
  • Streaming + Download

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

      £0.52 GBP

     

about

Child 37

lyrics

True Thomas lay on Huntlie bank
He spied a wonder with his eye
For there he saw a lady bright
Come riding down by the Eildon tree

Her skirt was of the grass green silk
Her mantle of the velvet fine
At every lock of her horse's mane
Hung fifty silver bells and nine

True Thomas he pulled off his cap
And bowed low down on his knee
"All hail thou mighty queen of heaven
For your like on earth I never did see"

"O no, o no, Thomas" she said
"That name does not belong to me
I am but the queen of fair Elfland
That here am come to visit thee

"Harp and carp, Thomas," she said
"Harp and carp along with me
But if ye dare to kiss my lips
Sure of your body I will be"

"Betide me weal, betide me woe
That fate shall never daunton me"
And he has kissed her rosy lips
All underneath the Eildon tree.

"Now you must go with me she said
"True Thomas, you must go with me;
And you must serve me seven years
Through weal or woe as chance may be"

She's mounted on her milk white steed
She's drawn true Thomas up behind
And every time her bridle rung
The steed flew swifter than the wind

O they rode on, and they rode on
They waded rivers to the knee
And they saw neither sun nor moon
But heard the roaring of the sea

It was dark, dark night with no starlight
They waded red blood to the knee
For all the blood that's shed in this world
Runs in the springs of that country

Then they came to a garden green
She pulled an apple from a tree
"Take this and eat, Thomas," she said,
"'Twill give you a tongue that cannot lie"

"My tongue's my own," true Thomas said
A goodly gift you'd give to me
I'd never dare to buy nor sell
At fair or tryst where I may be."

"Now hold your tongue," the lady said
"For as I say, so must it be.
But bide ye here a little space
And I will show you wonders three

"O see ye now yon narrow road
So thick beset with thorns and briers
That is the road of righteousness
Though after it but few enquire.

"And see ye now that broad road
That lies across the lily leven
That is the path of wickedness
Though some call it the road to heaven

"And see ye now that bonny road
That winds across the fernie brae
That is the road to fair Elfland
Where you and I this night must go.

"But hold your tongue, Thomas," she said,
"Whatever you may hear or see
For, speak a word in Elfin land
And you'll ne'er return to your own country."

He's got a coat of the even cloth
And a pair of shoes of velvet green
And till seven years were gone and past
True Thomas on earth was never seen.

credits

from 52 Folk Songs: Blue, released January 19, 2012
Phil Edwards: voice, melodica, G & D whistles, recorder, drumming

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: