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The Dewy Dells of Yarrow

from Notes of Being by Spiral Dance

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Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), a medicinal herb, was traditionally used in love charms and marriage spells and is the subject of this traditional Scottish folk song of love, duels and death – wonderful stuff! The song is unusual insomuch that, despite it being a Border ballad, this version was collected in Canada. The rhythm is very unusual in this version too, which made recording it a lot of fun!

lyrics

There lived a lady in the north you could scarcely find her marrow
she was courted by nine noble men on the dewy dells of Yarrow
her father had a bonny plough boy and she died love him dearly
she dressed him up like a noble lord for to fight for her on Yarrow
she kissed his cheeks she combed his hair as oft she'd done before-o
she gilded him with a right good sword for to fight for her on Yarrow
as he climbed up yon high hill and the came down the other
there he spied nine noble men a coming 'cross to Yarrow
did you come here for to drink red wine, did you come here to borrow
or did you come here with a single sword for to fight for her on Yarrow?
I came not here for to drink red wine and I came not here to borrow
but I come here with a single sword for to fight for her on Yarrow
there are nine of you and one of me and that's not an even number
but it's man to man I'll fight you all and I'll die for her on Yarrow
three he drew and threw he slew and two lay deadly wounded
when a stubborn knight crept up behind and kissed him with his arrow
go home go home my false young man and tell my sister Sarah
that her true lover John lies dead and gone on the dewy dells of Yarrow
as he climbed down yon high hill and she came down the other
there he spied his sister dear a coming 'cross to Yarrow
Oh brother dear I had a dream last night she said
I can read it into sorrow
my true lover John lies dead and gone on the dewy dells of Yarrow
this maiden's hair was three quarters long and the colour of it was yellow
she tied it round his middle side and she carried him home from Yarrow
she kissed his cheeks she combed his hair as oft she'd done before-o
her true lover John lies dead and gone and she carried him home from Yarrow
Oh father dear you have seven sons you could wed them all tomorrow
but the fairest flower amongst them all was the one that died on Yarrow
Oh mother dear make me my bed and make it long and narrow
for the one that died for me today I shall die for him tomorrow

credits

from Notes of Being, released June 17, 2020
Traditional

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Spiral Dance Adelaide, Australia

With a combination of haunting vocals, intoxicating guitar riffs and groovy accordion lines, underpinned with potent bass and dynamic percussion, Spiral Dance presents an eclectic blend of traditional folk-rock with powerful self-penned songs and tunes. Rousing melodies intertwine with tales of Magick, myth and legend - music that will rock your ancestors! ... more

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