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Greenwood Laddie

[ Roud 2123 ; Ballad Index K130 ; trad.]

Shirley Collins recorded Greenwood Laddie in 1967 for her album The Power of the True Love Knot; this was reissued on her anthology The Classic Collection. She commented in the original album's liner notes:

Perhaps a boy as beautiful as this one can only exist in the tender imagination of a young girl. The beauty of the song is real enough. Bram Martin negotiates the time changes (from 3/4 to 4/4 and even 5/4) with noble ease. Collected by Jean Ritchie from Sean Boyle.

A demo recording made in London in 1966 was published in 2006 on the CD Snapshots; and a 1978 Dublin live recording from Shirley and Dolly Collins can be found on Harking Back.

Eliza Carthy sang and played Greenwood Laddie, followed by Mrs Capron's Reel and an anonymous tune, on her album Red. She was accompanied by Martin Green, piano keyboards and piano accordion; Barnaby Stradling, acoustic and electric bass; Ed Boyd, acoustic guitar; Oliver Knight, electric guitar; Sam Thomas, drums and percussion; Andy Thorburg, piano keyboard on Tune; Niall Macauley, acoustic guitar. This track was reissued in 2003 on Eliza's anthology The Definitive Collection.

Lyrics

Shirley Collins sings	Eliza Carthy sings
Did you see my dearest, With his eyes of the clearest, His cheeks like red blood That's new dropped on snow? For he was tall, dark and slender, His arms warm and tender, He'll be my greenwood laddie Where'er he may be.	If you'd seen my dearest, Whose eyes they shine the clearest, His cheeks like the red blood, New dropped in snow. He is neat, tall and tender, His hands soft and slender, He'll be my greenwood laddie Wherever he goes. My parents, my darling, They slight you with scorn, Because you have no riches Wrapped up in store. But the more that they slight you, The more I invite you To be my greenwood laddie Whom I'd always adore. For if I had the wealth Of the East or West Indies, Or if I had the gold Of the African shore, Or if I could gain thousands, I'd nest on your bosom And you'd be my greenwood laddie And the boy I adore.
It was down in those bowers where I spend many happy hours, A-plugging the flowers In his company. And it was his stolen kisses Gave me my heart's wishes, He'll be my greenwood laddie Till time is no more.	It's down by yonder bower I spend many's the long hour A-pulling the flowers By yon clear winding shore. It was his stolen kisses Caused my fondest wishing, as You know he'll be my greenwood laddie And the boy … (the boy …) (repeat first verse)

Shirley Collins sings

Eliza Carthy sings

Did you see my dearest,
With his eyes of the clearest,
His cheeks like red blood
That's new dropped on snow?
For he was tall, dark and slender,
His arms warm and tender,
He'll be my greenwood laddie
Where'er he may be.

If you'd seen my dearest,
Whose eyes they shine the clearest,
His cheeks like the red blood,
New dropped in snow.
He is neat, tall and tender,
His hands soft and slender,
He'll be my greenwood laddie
Wherever he goes.

My parents, my darling,
They slight you with scorn,
Because you have no riches
Wrapped up in store.
But the more that they slight you,
The more I invite you
To be my greenwood laddie
Whom I'd always adore.

For if I had the wealth
Of the East or West Indies,
Or if I had the gold
Of the African shore,
Or if I could gain thousands,
I'd nest on your bosom
And you'd be my greenwood laddie
And the boy I adore.

It was down in those bowers
where I spend many happy hours,
A-plugging the flowers
In his company.
And it was his stolen kisses
Gave me my heart's wishes,
He'll be my greenwood laddie
Till time is no more.

It's down by yonder bower
I spend many's the long hour
A-pulling the flowers
By yon clear winding shore.
It was his stolen kisses
Caused my fondest wishing, as
You know he'll be my greenwood laddie
And the boy … (the boy …)

(repeat first verse)

Acknowledgements

Transcribed from Eliza Carthy's singing by Kira White.