1. |
Mary and the Soldier
03:33
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Come all you lads of high renown and hear of a fair young maiden,
As she roved out on a summers day to view the soldiers parading,
They marched so bold and they looked so gay their colours flying and the bands did play,
And it caused young Mary for to say, 'I'll we'd you my galant solider.'
She viewed the soldiers on parade, stood their at their leisure,
And Mary to herself did say, 'At last I've found my treasure.
But oh how cruel my parents must be to vanish my darling away from me,
I'll leave them all and go with thee my bold undaunted soldiers.'
'Oh Mary dear your parents love, I pray you don't be unruly,
For when you're in a foreign land believe me you'll rue it surely,
Perhaps in battle I might fall, shot from an angry cannon ball,
And you so far from your daddy's hall, advised by a galant soldier.'
'I have fifty guineas in right gold and likewise a hearth thats burning,
I'll leave them all and go with you my bold undaunted soldier.
Don't say no but let me go and I will face the daring foe,
March together to and fro I'll wed you my gallant soldier.'
And when he saw her loyalty and Mary so true hearted,
he said my darling married we'll be and nothing but death will part us.
'When we're in a foreign land I'll guard you darling with my right hand,
and pray the God will stand a friend to Mary and her gallant soldier.'
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2. |
Banks of the Bann
04:26
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When first to this country a stranger I came I placed my affection on a maid that was young,
She being young and tender her waist small and slender,
Kind nature had formed her for my overthrow.
On the banks of the Bann when I first beheld she appeared like fair Juno or a Grecian queen,
Her eyes shone like diamonds, her hair softly twining,
Her cheeks were like roses or blood drops in snow.
It was her cruel parents that first caused our variance all because I was poor and from a low degree,
But I'll do my endeavour to gain my loves favour,
Even though she has come from a rich family.
My name it is Delany, its a name that wont shame me and if I'd saved money I'd have plenty in store,
but drinking and sporting, night rambling and courting,
Are the cause of my ruin and absence from home.
If I had all the money that's in the west indies or had I the gold of the African shore, I'd spend it on pearls and on you my fine girl,
For there's no other love on this earth I adore.
Now that I've gained her I'm contented for life I'll put rings on her fingers and gold in her ear and live on the banks of that lovely Bann river,
And in all sorts of splendour I'll style her my dear.
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3. |
Red is the Rose
04:14
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Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows,
Fair is the lily of the valley,
Clear are the waters that flow in yonder stream,
And my love, it's fairer than any.
Over the mountain and down into the glen,
To a little Irish cot in the valley,
Where the thrush and the linnet sing their ditties and their songs,
And my love leaning over the half door.
Down by the seashore on a cool summers eve,
With the moon rising over the heather,
The moon it shone fair over her head of golden hair,
As she swears she'll be my love for ever.
It's not for the parting of my sister kate,
Or for the loss of my mother,
It's for the loss of my bonnie brown eyed girl,
I'm leaving my homeland forever.
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4. |
Xanthoria
02:56
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Sunbursts sing at the sacred rare spring,
By a holy well covered in grey growth.
Soldiers shields and a sprinkling of Bone,
Sheltered by sanguine skies above.
Pearlwort sewn between th’ cracks in the stone,
Where the Sea Storm leaves flutter like songbirds,
Wandering through to hedges of green,
Settling softly overhead.
Red fescues growing between of refuse,
Where there’s ruderal ground and lots of cold weather,
Sunburst sleep, in the midst of decay,
Dreaming of ancient waterways.
Catkins fall on an old mossy wall,
Inflorescence bright, capsules gleaming,
In the rays as the sunset dilutes,
Promising sanguine skies again.
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Daniel Hester England, UK
A musician from Lancashire who has been involved in and inspired by the local folk and live music scene for many years. He
is now
writing and performing original and traditional songs in a distinct and unique style, gathered from his extensive experience in the folk world.
... more
Daniel Hester recommends:
Fairly Cookin'
by Drop The Floor
One of the best trad bands around! Definitely worth listening to.
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Unique country music with a real authentic sound.
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Struck Lucky
by Michelle Holding and Bonz
Great English folk and Americana duo with fantastic vocals and playing from both. Plus there is the odd classical banjo tune thrown in for fun!
go to albumIf you like Daniel Hester, you may also like:
This album speaks to the continuum of African diasporic culture that is central to the vibrant canon of Americana folk music.
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Sweet Old Religion
by Pharis & Jason Romero
Sweet harmonies & strummed melodies; the duo delve into decades-old folk, jazz, and country to find a timeless kind of love and connection.
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Mind, Man, Medicine
by The Secret Sisters
The Alabama duo's fifth album exults in dusty Americana, showcasing rich vocal harmonies alongside blissful folk instrumentation.
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