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A Blacksmith Courted Me

This song was collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1904 from the singing of a Mrs Verral of Monks Gate near Horsham in Sussex. He used the tune as a basis of the hymn tune "Monksgate" to which he set the words "Who would true valour see" by John Bunyan. He collected the same song from the singing of a Mrs Powell from Weobley in Herefordshire five years later, in 1909. There are two different tunes and a number of slightly different variants of the song. Version 1 is based on the version recorded by Steeleye Span and version 2 is based on a recording by Jo Freya on the "Folk songs of England" album, produced by Past Times. The Digital Tradition website has three versions of the words and the basic tune of version 2. The tune in version 2 is closer to "Monksgate" so it is probably this version that was used as the basis for the hymn.

The number of repeats in the midi file is insufficient for all the verses.

This page is playing the tune for version 1. Click on the link below for version 2.
Version 2
A Blacksmith courted me, nine months and better.
He fairly won my heart, he wrote me a letter.
With his hammer in his hand he looked so clever,
And if I were with my love I would live fore-ver.

Oh, where has my love gone, with his cheeks like roses?
He's gone across the sea, gathering primroses.
I'm afraid the shining sand might burn and scorch his beauty,
And if I were with my love I would do my duty.

Strange news is come to town, strange news is carried,
Strange news flles up and down that my love is married.
Oh, I wish them both much joy, though they don't hear me,
And if I were with my love I would do my duty.

Oh, what did you promise me when you lay beside me?
You said you'd marry me and not deny me.
If I said I'd marry you it was only to try you,
So bring your witness, love, and I'll not deny you.

Oh, witness have I none, save God Almighty,
And may he reward you well, for the slighting of me.
Her lips grew pale and wan, it made her poor heart tremble
For to think she'd loved but one, and he'd proved deceitful.
A blacksmith courted me, I loved him dearly
He played upon his pipes both neat and trimly
With his hammer in his hand he strikes so steady
He makes the sparks to fly all round his smithy

I love to watch my love with his hammer swinging
I love to hear it fall on the anvil ringing
The note is loud and clear, the sparks are flying
My love is handsome then, there's no denying

Where is my love a-gone with his cheeks like roses?
He's gone across the sea gathering primroses
I'm afraid the shining sun will spoil his beauty
I will go and seek my love to do my duty

Strange news is come to town, strange news is carried
Strange news flies up and down: my love is married
I wish him joy though he's my love no longer
And yet I love him still, my blacksmith yonder

What did you promise me when you lay beside me?
You said you would marry me and not deny me
It's witness I have none but the Almighty
And may he reward you well for slighting of me

I looked in a glass, my head I shaked
To think I loved a lad who was false-hearted
I wish him well although he does not hear me
I shall not die for love, he need not fear me

Produced by Geoff Walker
Last Modified 17 March 2001