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Adieu to Old England

[ Roud 1703 ; Ballad Index GrD61083 ; trad.]

This prison ballad is the title track of Shirley Collins' 1974 Topic album, Adieu to Old England. It was also included in her anthologies Fountain of Snow and The Classic Collection. A.L. Lloyd commented in the original album's sleeve notes:

Shirley's husband Ashley [Hutchings] found this prison ballad on a Cecil Sharp manuscript copy. It was collected from Jacob Giblett of Westhay, Somerset, and was one of three versions found in that county by Sharp. One was sung by a Mrs Lock of Muchelney Ham who declared: “I enjoy thst song - it's a cheerful song.” It was first published c. 1820 as The Transport's Farewell, by T. Bachelor of Little Cheapside, London.

Lyrics

Adieu to Old England, adieu,
And adieu to some hundreds of pounds.
If the world had been ended when I had been young,
My sorrows I'd never have known.

Once I could drink of the best,
The very best brandy and rum.
Now I am glad of a cup of spring water
That flows from town to town.

Once I could eat of good bread,
Good bread that was made of good wheat.
Now I am glad with a hard mouldy crust
And glad that I got it to eat.

Once I could lie on a good bed,
A good bed that was made of soft down.
Now I am glad of a clot of clean straw
To keep myself from the cold ground.

Once I could ride in my carriage,
With servants to drive me along.
Now I'm in prison, in prison so strong
Not knowing which way I can turn.

(repeat first verse)