Sunday, May 25, 2014

Sunday Poetry - Happy Relationships

I was drawn to the title of this song, Madam, Will You Walk? by the almost-reference to Mary Stewart's book, Madam, Will You Talk? The folk song is quoted as an epigraph to one of the chapters but I was disconcerted to realise that there are many versions of the song & the version in my book doesn't have that line in it at all! I've been thinking about Mary Stewart this week & wanting to reread some of her books. There have been many lovely appreciations of her life & work on some of my favourite blogs. You can read a couple of them here (read the comments too) and here. This obituary in the Telegraph includes a link to a TV interview with her.
Anyway, I'm posting the song anyway because I like the non-mercenary character of the young lady. All she wants is the key to his heart, not gold, silver or fine silk caps.

I should like to buy thee a fine lace cap
With five yards of ribbon to hang down thy back
If thou wilt walk with me.

I will not accept of the fine lace cap
With five yards of ribbon to hang down thy back
Nor I will not walk with thee.

I will buy thee a fine silken gown
With nine yards of ribbon to trail upon the ground
If thou wilt walk with me.

I will not accept of the  fine silken gown
With nine yards of ribbon to trail upon the ground 
Nor I won't walk with thee.

I'll buy thee a fine golden chair
To sit in the garden and to take the pleasant air
If thou wilt walk with me.

I will not accept of thy fine golden chair
To sit in the garden and to take the pleasant air
Nor I will not walk with thee.

It's I will give thee the keys of my chest
To take gold and silver when thou art distressed
If thou wilt walk with me.

I will not accept of the keys of your chest
To take gold and silver when I am distressed 
Nor I will not walk with thee.

I'll give thee the key, O the key of my heart
And thy heart and my heart shall never depart
If thou wilt walk with me.

I will accept of the key of your heart
And thy heart and my heart shall never depart 
and I will walk with thee.

2 comments:

  1. What a beautiful song. I love the cover of the book especially the illustration of the horse. Enjoyed the "winter interlude."

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    1. Winter hasn't even looked like starting here yet, Pam. We had a heavy shower first thing but it's been a beautiful day although it's clouding over now. I hope it's been just as sunny for you. The woodcut on the cover is lovely, isn't it?

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