Play/Download Music File Barry Taylor |
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The original words were an old ballad from Donegal which was collected in 1909. The words were "reworked" by Padraic Colum to this version. Alternate titles and variants include, Our Wedding Day and Out of the Window.
According to Ossian's Folksongs and Ballads Popular in Ireland - Volume I the tune dates back to Medieval times.* |
My young love said to me, My mother won't mind And my father won't slight you For your lack of kind" And she stepped away from me And this she did say: It will not be long, love, Till our wedding day" As she stepped away from me And she moved through the fair And fondly I watched her Move here and move there And then she turned homeward With one star awake Like the swan in the evening Moves over the lake The people were saying, No two e'er were wed But one had a sorrow That never was said And I smiled as she passed With her goods and her gear, And that was the last That I saw of my dear. Last night she came to me, My dead love came in So softly she came That her feet made no din As she laid her hand on me And this she did say It will not be long, love, 'Til our wedding day |
Lyrics and some information From
Digital Tradition Mudcat Discussion Cafe Discussion Group and *a forum thread on She Moved Through the Fair (Thanks all!) Information From Sam Henry's Songs of the People See Bibliography for full information. |