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> Cyril Tawney > Songs > The Queen of Hearts

The Queen of Hearts

[ Roud 3195 ; Ballad Index FSWB153 ; trad.]

Martin Carthy sang The Queen of Hearts in 1965 on his first album Martin Carthy. He commented in the sleeve notes:

The Queen of Hearts appeared on broadsides and was collected by Baring-Gould from a man working on the Burrow Tor reservoir at Sheepstor near Plymouth. The tune has a definite 17th century flavour and has been dated by some to the reign of Charles II.

Cyril Tawney sang The Queen of Hearts in 1973 on his Argo LP A Mayflower Garland. This track was also included in the same year on the Argo anthology The World of Folk Vol. 2.

Barry Dransfield sang Queen of Hearts in 1996 on his Rhiannon CD Wings of the Sphinx.

Lyrics

Martin Carthy sings The Queen of Hearts

To the queen of hearts he's the ace of sorrow
He's here today but he's gone tomorrow
Young men are plenty but sweethearts few
If my love leave me what shall I do?

Had I the store in yonder mountain
Where gold and silver is had for counting
I would not count for the heart of thee
Mine eyes so full I could not see

My father left me both house and land
And servants many at my command
At my commandment they ne'er shall be
I'll forsake them all and go with thee

To the queen of hearts he's the ace of sorrow
He's here today and he's gone tomorrow
Young men are plenty but sweethearts few
If my love leave me what shall I do?

Acknowledgements

Transcribed by Garry Gillard.