> Eliza Carthy > Songs > Willow Tree

Willow Tree

[ Roud 18831 ; Ballad Index RcTWilTr ; trad.]

Eliza Carthy sang and played Willow Tree in 2002 on her CD Anglicana. She was accompanied by Ben Ivitsky, semi-acoustic guitar and trombone, Martin Green, piano accordion, Donald Hay, drums and percussion, Barnaby Stradling, acoustic bass, Doug Duncan, trumpet, Greg Ivitsky, alto saxophone, and Heather Macleod and Mary Macmaster, vocals.

Eliza Carthy commented in the album's sleeve notes:

This song is dedicated to Danny Stradling, because she thought that she had put it together as she sang it and I knew when I heard May Bradley sing it that it felt very familiar, and neither of us could place it! I remember Danny singing this through staying with the Stradlings over the years. Being on the end of their fabulous hospitality and working with their son has been a lovely and big part of my life. She is also a monster tambourine player.

May Bradley sang Willow Tree in a 1965 recording by Fred Hamer on the Topic anthology We've Received Orders to Sail: Jackie Tar at Sea & on Shore (The Voice of the People Series Volume 12, 1998) and on her Musical Traditions anthology Sweet Swansea (2010).

Lyrics

Eliza Carthy sings Willow Tree	May Bradley sings Willow Tree
As I pass by a willow tree, willow tree That willow leaf blew down on me I picked it up, it would not break I've passed my love, he would not speak	As I pass by a willow tree, willow tree That willow leaf blew down on me I picked it up, it would not break I've passed my love, he would not speak
O, speak, young man, and don't be shy, be shy For I'm the girl can't pass you by For friends we've met and friends will part You'll take my hand but not my heart	Speak, young man, and don't be shy, be shy For I am a girl can pass you by For friends we've met and friends will part You'll take my hand but not my heart
I wished your bosom were of glass, of glass So I could view it through and through Just to view those secrets of your heart If I'd love one, I can't love two	I wished your bosom were of glass, of glass That I could view it through and through Just view those secrets of your heart If I'd love one, I can't love two
Oh, give me back to the one I love, I love Oh, give, oh, give him back to me If I only have that one I love How happy, happy more I'd be	Oh, give me back to the one I love, I love Oh, give, oh, give him back to me If I only have that one I love How happy, happy more I'd be
My love he is a sailor boy, sailor boy He sails the ocean through and through And when he gets so far away He hardly thinks no more of me	My love he is a sailor boy, sailor boy He sails the ocean through and through And when he gets so far away He hardly thinks no more of me
So give, oh, give him back to me, to me Oh, give, oh, give him back to me If I only have that one I love How happy, happy more I'd be	So give, oh, give him back to me, to me Oh, give, oh, give him back to me If I only have that one I love How happy, happy more I'd be

Acknowledgements

Transcribed by Roberto Campo. Thank you!