The leaves in the woodland

from 52 Folk Songs: Blue by Phil Edwards

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lyrics

O the grass in the meadow, the reeds by the mere,
The sad boom of the bittern is all that I hear.
And the leaves in the woodland and the gulls by the shore cry
“You never shall sit by your loved ones no more.”

When I was a young girl the world did seem gay,
But these cruel hard times do drive comfort away.
And the leaves in the woodland and the gulls by the shore cry
“You never shall dance with your sweetheart no more.”

Once I gathered wild flowers in the sweet countryside,
But my garlands have withered, my posies have died.
And the leaves in the woodland and the gulls by the shore cry
“You never shall lie by your husband no more.”

Once I went a-courting, but now my man's gone,
Once I was a mother, but now I'm alone.
And the leaves in the woodland and the gulls by the shore cry
“You never shall walk with your menfolk no more.”

Come all you young women that's free from all care,
Don't you never get married, all sorrows lies there.
And the leaves in the woodland and the gulls by the shore cry
“The heart that is given no man can restore.”

Now the fields are all empty, the hedgerows are bare,
Only wild desolation is all I find there.
I'll go down to the river and I'll ease all my pain
And who knows but I might see my dear ones again,
Who knows but I might see my dear ones again.

credits

from 52 Folk Songs: Blue, released January 19, 2012
Words and music: Peter Bellamy
As sung by June Tabor in The Transports (1977 recording)

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Phil Edwards Manchester, UK

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