1. The Weaver’s Bonny
Traditional lyrics
adapted by Blair Logwood Jones
Welcome to the crossroad, passerby
Have a care-- I’m very sly
Stand right there and testify
Are you the Weaver’s Bonny?
If you can answer my questions nine
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
You’re God’s own--you’re none of mine
And you are the weaver’s bonny.
[refrain]
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
Are you one of God’s?
Are you one of mine?
Are you the weaver’s bonny?
What is whiter than the milk?
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
What is softer than the silk?
And who is the weaver’s bonny?
Snow is whiter than the milk
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
Down is softer than the silk
And I am the weaver’s bonny.
[refrain]
What is louder than a horn?
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
What is sharper than a thorn?
And who is the weaver’s bonny?
Thunder is louder than a horn
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And Death is sharper than a thorn
And I am the weaver’s bonny.
[refrain]
What is higher than a tree?
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
What is deeper than the sea?
And who is the weaver’s bonny?
Oh, Heaven is higher than a tree
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And Hell is deeper than the sea.
And I am the weaver’s bonny.
[refrain]
What’s more innocent than a lamb?
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
What is meaner than womankind?
And who is the weaver’s bonny?
A babe is more innocent than a lamb
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And The Devil is meaner than woman kind
And I am the weaver’s bonny.
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
Are you one of God’s?
Are you one of mine?
Are you the weaver’s bonny?
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
I’m one of God’s—
I’m none of thine!
And I am the weaver’s bonny
Oh, I am the weaver’s bonny
Yes, I am the weaver’s bonny.
2. The Selkie Child
lyrics by Blair Logwood Jones
[chorus]
All the way from Sule Skerry
The Silkie's come to rescue me
From humankind I've broken free
My home is in the wide wild sea
Oh, I could swim before I walked
And catch the fishes in my hand
I'd slap the waves and squeal and bark
To call the seals at my command
For seven years I walked the land
I watched them playing in the sea
And wished to leave the world of man
And share their selkie company
My mother was a crofter's girl
Her love came from the water
A creature from another world
To be her baby's father
But now another man comes 'round
To keep my mother company
My father says he'll gun us down
And we will sink into the sea
But we will go to Sule Skerry
And not return to mother's land
And those who fear the wide wild sea
And kill what they don't understand
Oh, I could swim before I walked
And catch the fishes in my hand
I'd slap the waves and squeal and bark
To call the seals at my command.
3. Thomas the Rhymer
traditional/adapted by Blair Logwood Jones
They call me Thomas the Rhymer--
I’ll tell you no lie.
If you want a flattering companion,
You’d better pass me by.
I see all things as they are
And I know what will be,
For I have served the Elfin Queen
Who gave this gift to me.
I was lying back on the Huntly bank
When she appeared to me,
Riding up on her milk-white steed
Under the Eildon Tree.
Her skirt was of the grass-green silk,
Her mantle of the velvet fine.
From every lock of her horse’s mane
Hung fifty silver bells and nine.
“All hail the Queen of Heaven!”
I said on bended knee.
“Oh no,” said she, “I’m the Elfland Queen,
Come here to visit thee.
Won’t you harp and carp with me Thomas,
Harp and carp,” said she,
“And if you dare to kiss my lips,
Sure of your body I’ll be.”
“Invitation or dare, said I,
“A courteous guest I’ll be.”
And for better or worse I kissed her lips
Under the Eildon Tree.
“Now you must go with me, Thomas.
Thomas, come and go with me
And seven long years, for better or worse,
In my service you shall be.”
Up behind on her steed I climbed,
As we rode her bridle rang.
Swifter than the wind we flew
And left all living land.
“Oh Thomas, do you see that narrow road,
Full of thorns and briars and burrs?
That is the path of righteousness,
Which very few prefer.
And do you see that broad, broad road
Through the lily field it lies?
That is the path of wickedness,
Though some call it paradise.
But do you see that bonny, bonny road
Through the wild wood wandering round?
That is the road to fair Elfland,
Where you and I are bound.
But Thomas, ye must hold your tongue,
No matter what you hear or see,
For just one word and ye’ll never return
To your own country.”
At last we came to a garden green
And she pulled down an apple from high.
“Take this for thy wages Thomas,“ she said.
“It will give the tongue that cannot lie.”
“A goodly gift, no gift but a curse,
To take my words from me!”
“Now hold thy peace," the lady said,
“As I say, so must it be.”
They gave me a coat of the even cloth
And shoes of the velvet green
And till seven long years had come and gone
On Earth I was nowhere seen.
And so they call me the Rhymer
And I never tell a lie,
If you want a flattering companion,
You’d better pass me by.
4. Ramblin' Davy
by Blair Logwood Jones
One May morning
Came the ramblin' Davy
A'whistlin' through the meadow
And the flowers burst to bloom
Watching from her window
The squire's lady
She came running down to meet him
Just to learn that tune
To learn that magic tune
For it gave such pleasure
She cared not for her treasure
And taking only her velvet cloak
And her boots of leather fine
Oh for his dark eyes flashing!
And his long hair flying!
She climbed up behind that ramblin' boy
And left the squire behind
Left the squire behind
The leaves turn
The wind blows
The snow falls and the time flows
Rains come
Seeds sow
Sun shines and love grows
And "oh, my Davy
I'm your ramblin' lady
I'd lay me down on the warm soft ground
To sleep in the circle of your arm,s
Sleep in the circle of your arms"
Late that evening
Looking for his lady
The squire rode out to find her
In the rising of the moon
Down beside the river
In the campfire's shadow
There he saw his lady dancing
While the rambler played that tune
Played that magic tune
"Oh, my lady,
How now, my baby?
Would you leave me for a ramblin' boy
To wander through the world?
Come you home now with me
You'll never want for money
Better be a rich man's wife
Than a ragged ramblin' girl.
You'll be a ragged ramblin' girl!
When the leaves turn
The wind blows
The snow falls and it's so cold."
She said, "but don't you know?
Wherever he goes,
The sun shines and love grows.
And oh, my Davy
I'm your ramblin' lady
I'd lay me down on the cold, hard ground
To sleep in the circle of your arms,
Sleep in the circle of your arms"
"Give that cloak and those boots so fine!
You can go your way, but I'll take what's mine."
"Take them, take them and all your gold.
Just give me my freedom and my gypsy soul.
And let the leaves turn
The wind blow
Let the snow fall, let the time flow
Let the rains come
The seeds sow
Let the sun shine, let love grow
And oh, my Davy,
I'm your ramblin' lady
I'd lay me down on the warm soft ground
To sleep in the circle of your arms
Sleep in the circle of your arms
Let me lie in the circle of your arms
I want to die in the circle of your arm,s
In the circle of your arms.
5. If I Let You Go
by Blair Logwood Jones
The moon shines through the win-dow
The owl flies from the tree
The midnight hour approaches
O love, return to me
Then he knelt by her bedside
and whispered tenderly,
“The time has come, my own true love,
When you must set me free.”
And if I let you go
As the bird flies from the nest
Will you flutter at my window
and rob me of my rest?
Or will you wait for me
In a place that I don't know?
Will our love be forgotten
If I let you go?
He took her to their bower
Where the trees knit high above
Where once he took her in his arms
And told her all his love
But all the leaves had fallen
and barren were the trees
"The time has come, my own true love,
When you must set me free."
And if I let you go
As the bird flies from the nest
Will you flutter at my window
and rob me of my rest?
Or will you wait for me
In a place that I don't know?
Will our love be forgotten
If I let you go?
He took her to the chapel
Where once she was his bride
And as they passed the churchyard,
The gates flew open wide
"Oh don’t you see my grave, love?
The angels call to me.
The time has come, my own true love,
When you must set me free.”
Then I will let you go
As a bird flies from the nest
And in that place where you are bound
May your sweet soul find rest
For now my dream has ended
The moon is sinking low
Love goes on forever
And I will let you go.
6. Henry King
By Blair Logwood Jones
What would you do for love?
Are you willing to pay the price?
Just what are you made of?
What would you sacrifice?
What would you do for love?
You had better stop to think twice!
Would you take the gamble?
Would you roll the dice?
Consider the case
Of Henry King
Went out with his men
Hunting
They bagged a buck
The hour grew late
To an old abandoned house
They went to celebrate
They were living it up
With venison and wine
When the floor started shaking
And the wind started crying
The door flew open
And who should intrude
But a fierce she-devil
With an attitude.
What would you do for love?
Are you willing to pay the price?
Just what are you made of?
What would you sacrifice?
Her teeth were like daggers
She wailed and moaned
His friends ran away
And left Henry alone
She said, “Henry King,
Where is your courtesy?
You had a party at my house
And you didn’t invite me!
Well, you’ve had your wine
And you’ve had your meat
Now it's time
The hostess had a bite to eat
So on with the party!
That’s quite enough talk
Serve me up
Your gay goshawk.”
What would you do for love?
You had better stop to think twice!
Would you take the gamble?
Would you roll the dice?
She ate up that hawk
With the greatest pleasure
And when she was done
There were only feathers.
“That’s a nice appetizer
Now I want the main course.
Carve up your hound--
Carve up your horse!
Alas and alack,
And woe betide!
Where is that steed
That you loved to ride?
And the good greyhound
Always at your side?
There’s nothing left
But hair and hide.
What would you do for love?
Are you willing to pay the price?
Just what are you made of?
What would you sacrifice?
“Henry King,
One more request:
Pull the heather green
And make a love nest
This might be
Your destiny
Henry King, you must marry me.”
“Oh, woe is me!”
Cried Henry King,
“That I should wed
Such a frightful fiend!”
But he didn’t run
He didn’t hide
He did her bidding
All that long, dark night.
When the night was over
And a new day dawned
That scary she-devil
Was long gone
And in his arms
Demure and serene
Was the most beautiful lady
He had ever seen
She said, “Many have come,
but you’re the only one,
Whatever I’ve asked of you,
You have done.
You’re a braver man
Than all the rest
I’m all yours
You passed the test.”
What would you do for love?
Are you willing to pay the price?
Just what are you made of?
What would you sacrifice?
What would you do for love?
Don't even stop to think twice!
Will you take the gamble?
Go on and roll the dice.
7. Newborn Child
by Blair Logwood Jones
The Queen has got a hold on me
Her love feels like a curse
I know somehow I must get free
But she won’t turn me loose
If you still believe in me
All may yet be well
If you have the courage
To help me break her spell
Hold me tight and don’t let go
No matter what turn I take
Have pity on my spellbound soul
All for true love’s sake
If I become a hungry wolf
With jaws that snarl and snap
Will you stroke my coarse grey coat
And hold me in your lap?
Or if I am a lion
With frightful teeth and claws
Will you clutch my shaggy mane
And pat my dangerous paws?
Yes, I'll hold tight and I won't let go
No matter what turn you take
And pity your beastly shaggy soul
All for true love's sake
If I become a serpent
With fangs as sharp as a knife,
Will you grab my scaly coils
And hold on for dear life?
Or if I am a dragon
With wings and fiery breath
Will you throw your arms around me
And not be scared to death?
I'll hold tight and I won't let go
No matter what turn you take
And pity your scaly dragon soul
All for true love's sake
And if I become a burning brand
Too searing to abide
Will you carry me down to the river
And dip me in the rushing tide?
Yes, I’ll hold tight and won’t let go
Till your burning fire I slake
I’ll pity your flaming, tortured soul
For true love’s sake
If you hold me tight and don't let go
No matter what turn I take
My soul will be free again
At last the spell will break
Then I’ll become a naked man
No more by the Queen beguiled
Will you wrap me in your cloak
And hold me like a newborn child?
I’ll wrap you tight and won’t let go
And hold you like a newborn child
And bless your gentle, trusting soul
For I’ve loved you all the while
8. Time for Love
by Blair Logwood Jones
Have you heard that sad old song
‘Bout the girl named Barbara Allen
And a boy named Will, who died of grief
Because she wouldn't have him?
When the death bell tolled
Oh How she cried!
Her heart broke and she died
A rose and a brier grow side by side
Where they lie forever sleeping
But there's time for love
There's still time for love
No time for what might have been
Only time for love
It's an old romantic tale
Of overwhelming passion
Of one who sees the truth too late
And learns a tragic lesson
A tale of hurt too great to bear
The tale of lost love everywhere
It’s a wonder that we ever dare
Trust our hearts to fortune.
But there’s time for love [time for love]
There’s still time for love [there’s still time]
No time for what might have been [only time]
Only time for love [time for love]
Hearts of stone or hearts on fire
Bliss or unfulfilled desire
You get the rose and
You get the brier
That's everybody’s bargain
So when Love calls some tender night
Will you rise and follow
Or will you hesitate
Worrying 'bout tomorrow?
Risk it all,
Or play it safe
Either way your heart will break
So Let it be for true love's sake
Not regret or sorrow.
There’s time for love [time for love]
There’s still time for love [there’s still time]
No time for what might have been [only time]
Only time for love [time for love]
Time for love