> The Watersons > Songs > Blue Murder: Gown of Green

Gown of Green

[ Roud 1086 ; Ballad Index RcTGoGr2 ; trad.]

Blue Murder sang Gown of Green in 2002 on their album No One Stands Alone.

It was also the title track of Jane and Amanda Threlfall's CD Gown of Green, which was produced by Oliver Knight.

Lyrics

As a soldier was a-walking all on the broad highway,
Been weary of travelling for many a long day,
Oh, he met a lovely women with a baby in her arms,
Oh, that she kissed and said, “I wish your father would return.”

“Good morning, my fair creature, I'm proud to meet you here
With that sweet baby in your arms you seem to love so dear.
Oh, I think I know the father and you before I've seen,
Don't you remember the day, my dear, you wore the gown of green?

“Oh it's many battles I have fought all on the raging main
And many battles I have fought in Portugal and Spain.
But it's now that I return again with plenty of gold in store;
I've been to make you my lawful bride and rove abroad no more.

“So come let us buy the licence all on this very day
And then we will get married, love, without any more delay.
𝄆 With our pretty little prattling baby such pleasures may be seen
That you may never regret the day you wore the gown of green,” 𝄇