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> Martin Carthy > Songs > The Leaves of Life
> Sandy Denny > Songs > The Leaves of Life

Seven Virgins, or The Leaves of Life

[ Roud 127 ; Ballad Index OBB111 ; trad.]

This is an English Passion carol, based on the gospel of John (John 19:26-27), that was not included in the Child ballads. The first mention of this song dates back to 1847. It was also collected by Cecil Sharp in 1923 and later by Ralph Vaughan Williams. It was recorded to a different tune by Ewan MacColl on Great English Ballads Vol 9, and by Norma Waterson on the Watersons' 1965 LP Frost and Fire, reissued on CD in 1990. A.L. Lloyd commented in the album's sleeve notes:

This spring-time ballad-carol tells a story based on the Apocryphal Gospels, concerning a trip made by Mary to see her son at Calvary, in the company of seven virgins. The opening recalls the handsome illuminations in the Arundel Psalter, showing the sombre tree of death with its dismal birds, and the dazzling tree of life with iridescent leaves. The parallel between the death and resurrection of Christ and the ritual slaying and renewal of the divine kings of pagan belief (echoed in the mumming plays) needs no stressing. Norma Waterson sings it.

Martin Carthy sang The Leaves of Life in 1966 on the eponymous music magazine compilation LP Folk Scene as one of his very first solo recordings. This track was also included in 2001 on his 4CD anthology The Carthy Chronicles.

Sandy Denny's home demo of of this song, recorded ca. 1966-67, is not officially available.

Lyrics

All under the leaves and the leaves of life
I met with virgins seven.
And one of them was Mary mild,
Our Lord's best mother in Heaven.

“Oh what are you seeking you seven pretty maids
All under the leaves of life?”
“We are seeking for no leaves, Thomas,
But for a friend of thine.”

“Go down, go down into yonder town,
The city of Galilee,*
And there you'll see sweet Jesus Christ,
Nailed to a big yew tree.”

So down they went into yonder town
As fast as foot could fall.
And many a bitter and grievous tear
From them virgins' eyes did fall.

“Oh peace mother oh peace mother
Your weeping does me grieve.
But I will suffer this,” he said,
For Adam and for Eve.”

“Oh how can I my weeping leave
My sorrows undergo?
While I do see my own son die
And sons I have no more.”

He's laid his head on his right shoulder
And death has struck him nigh.
“The Holy Ghost be with your soul
Sweet mother now I die.”

Oh the rose the gentle rose
The fennel it grows so strong.
Amen, good Lord, your charity
Is the ending of my song.

Notes and Acknowledgements

Transcribed from the singing of the Watersons by Garry Gillard.

* I corrected a mondegreen in the third verse where Norma actually sang “and sit in the gallery”.