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Acapella

by Stephen Riddell

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  • Acapella Book/CD
    Book/Magazine + Digital Album

    This is a 26 page album of traditional folk songs from the British Isles and Ireland contained in a smallish 21cm x 21cm book. Each page has illustrations and notes about the origins of the songs, as well as full reproductions of the lyrics.

    Could be a good coffee table piece?

    Includes unlimited streaming of Acapella via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.
You Rambling Boys of Pleasure 03:50
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You rambling boys of pleasure Give ear unto these lines I write I own I am a rover In rambling I take great delight I cast my mind on a handsome girl Though often times she does me slight But my mind is never easy Except when my true love’s in sight Down by yon flowery garden Where me and my true love did meet I took her in my arms And gave unto her sympathy She bade me take love easy Just as the leaves fall from the tree But I being young and foolish With my own true love I did not agree And the second time I met my love I thought that her heart was surely mine But as the season changes My darling girl has changed her mind Gold is the root of evil Although it bares a glistening hue Causes many’s the lad and the lass to part Though their hearts like mine be e’er so true And I wish I was in Wellington And my true love along with me And money in my pocket To keep us in good company Liquor to be plenty A flowing glass at every side For hard fortune will ne’er daunt me For I am young and the world is wide
2.
The False Knight 02:24
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O where are ye going Said the false knight upon the road I’m going to me school Said the wee boy and still he stood What’s that upon your back Said the false knight upon the road Me bread and me school pack Said the wee boy and still he stood Oi will ye give me a share Said the false knight upon the road No I’ll not give ye a share Said the wee boy and still he stood I wish I had your bread Said the false knight upon the road To you it’d taste like lead Said the wee boy and still he stood I wish ye were in yon tree Said the false knight upon the road And a good branch under me Said the wee boy and still he stood And that branch for to break Said the false knight upon the road Then ye to fall and ache Said the wee boy and still he stood I wish ye were in yon sea Said the false knight upon the road And a sturdy ship for me Said the wee boy and still he stood And that ship for to sink Said the false knight upon the road Then the briny deep you’ll drink Said the wee boy and still he stood I think you’d best be going Said the false knight upon the road But the cock is barely crowing Said the wee boy and still he stood I think I hear a bell Said the false knight upon the road It’s ringing ye to hell Said the wee boy and still he stood
3.
The Ballad of John Barleycorn 03:17
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There were three kings out in the east Three kings both great and high And they had sworn a solemn oath John Barleycorn should die They took a plow and plowed him down Laid clods upon his head For they had sworn a solemn oath John Barleycorn was dead But the cheerful spring came kindly on And showers began to fall John Barleycorn got up again And sore surprised them all The sultry suns of summer came And he grew thick and strong His head well-armed with pointed spears That no-one should do him wrong But the sober autumn soon came in And he grew pale and wan His bending joints and drooping head Showed he was mighty drawn His colour sickened more and more He faded into age And then his enemies began To show their deadly rage They took a weapon both long and sharp And cut him by the knee They laid him out upon a cart Like a rogue for forgery They laid him down upon his back They cudgeled him full and sore They laid him out afore the storm And worked him more and more They went and filled a darksome pit With water to the brim They heaved in poor old Barleycorn And let him sink or swim They laid him down upon the floor To work him father woe And still as signs of life appeared They tossed him to and fro They wasted over a scorching flame The marrow of his bones But a miller used him worst of all For he crushed him ‘tween two stones They went and took his own heart’s blood They drank it round and round And still the more and more they drank Their joy did more abound John Barleycorn was a hero bold Of noble enterprise For if you do but taste his blood Twill make your courage rise Twill make a man forget his woe Twill heighten all his joy Twill make the widows heart to sing Though she has lost her boy So let us toast John Barleycorn Each man a glass in hand And may his great posterity Ne’er fail across the land So let us toast Jon Barleycorn Each man a glass in hand And may his great posterity Ne’er fail across the land
4.
Early One Morning 02:59
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Early one morning Just as the sun was rising I heard a maid sing In the valley below Oh don’t deceive me Oh never leave me How could you use A poor maiden so Oh gay is the garland And fresh are the roses I’ve culled from the garden To bind on thy brow Oh don’t deceive me Oh never leave me How could you use A poor maiden so Remember the vows That you made to me truly Remember how gently You nestled close to me Oh don’t deceive me Oh never leave me How could you use A poor maiden so So here I now wander Alone as I wonder Why did you leave me For to wail and to weep Oh don’t deceive me Oh never leave me How could you use A poor maiden so Soon you will meet With another pretty maiden Some fair pretty maid And you’ll court her for a while Oh don’t deceive me Oh never leave me How could you use A poor maiden so Thus sung the poor maiden Her sorrows bewailing Thus sung the poor maid In the valley below Oh don’t deceive me Oh never leave me How could you use A poor maiden so
5.
The Plains of Kildare 02:31
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Come all you bold sportsmen and listen to my story It’s about noble Stewball that gallant racing pony Arthur Marvell was the man that first brought Stewball here For to run with Miss Griesel on the Plains of Kildare The fame of his actions we’ve heard of before About how he’s challenged by young Mrs. Gore For to run with Miss Griesel that handsome grey mare For ten thousand gold guineas on the Plains of Kildare The cattle they were brought out with saddle whip and bridle And the gentlemen did shout at the sight of the gallant riders And in viewing the cattle just as they came there Well they all laid their money on the Monaghan grey mare The order it was given and away they did fly Stewball like an arrow the grey mare passed by And if you had’ve been there for to seen them going round You’d’ve thought to your heart their feet ne’er touched the ground And when at last they came to halfway round the course Stewball and his rider began to discourse Says Stewball to the rider “Can you tell to me How far is that grey mare this moment from me.” Says the rider to Stewball, “You run in great style You’re ahead of the grey mare almost half a mile And if you keep your running I vow and I swear That you never will be beaten by the Monaghan grey mare.” The last winning post, Stewball passed it quite handy Horse and rider both called for sherry wine and brandy And they drank of their health to that noble grey mare For she emptied their pockets on the Plains of Kildare
6.
Black is the Colour 02:16
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Black is the colour of my true love’s hair Her lips are something rosy fair The loveliest face and the daintiest hands I love the ground whereon she stands I love my love as well she knows I love the ground whereon she goes If she on earth no more shall I see Then my life would leave me I’d go down to Troublesome to mourn to weep But satisfied I ne’er could sleep I’d write her a note on a few littles lines I’d suffer death ten thousand times Black Black Black is the colour of my true love’s hair Her lips are something rosy fair The loveliest face and the daintiest hands I love the ground whereon she stands Black Black Black is the colour of her hair
7.
The Elfin Knight 04:51
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The elfin knight sits on yon hill Blow blow blow winds blow He blows his horn both loud and shrill The winds have blown away his woe He blows it east he blows it west Blow blow blow winds blow He blows it where he liketh best The winds have blown away his woe I wish that horn blower I kissed Blow blow blow winds blow For in my soft arms he is missed The winds have blown away his woe No sooner these words had she said Blow blow blow winds blow Than the night came to her in her bed The winds have blown away his woe A very young maid thou be Blow blow blow winds blow So married to you I can nae be The winds have blown away his woe But I have a sister younger than I Blow blow blow winds blow And she was married by and by The winds have blown away his woe If married to you I must be Blow blow blow winds blow Then a curtsy you must do for me The wind has blown away his woe O name thy price my fair knight Blow blow blow winds blow For in my soft heart you must write The winds have blown away his woe Well I have an acre of good fey land Blow blow blow winds blow Which lyeth low on yon sea sand The winds have blown away his woe I’ll need ye to plow it with one ram’s horn Blow blow blow winds blow And your work must be done before the morn The winds have blown away his woe Then you’ll need to find me o’er the sea Blow blow blow winds blow And clean and dry you must be The winds have blown away his woe So he went and waited o’er the sea Blow blow blow winds blow But her fair face he ne’er again did see The winds have blown away his woe The elfin knight sits on yon hill Blow blow blow winds blow He blows his horn both loud and shrill The winds have blown away his woe
8.
My Bonny Light Horseman 02:40
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Bonaparte he commanded his troops for to stand And he planted his cannons all over the land To the dark plains of Egypt my true lover he did go For to die in the fields or to fight with his foe Broken hearted I wander Broken hearted I remain For my bonny light horseman In the wars he was slain It’s three years and six months since he left our fair shore Oh my bonny light horseman will I ne’er see him more He mounted on horseback so gallant and bold And about such brave soldiers we once heard of old Broken hearted I wander Broken hearted I remain For my bonny light horseman In the wars he was slain And if I were a blackbird with wings that could fly I would fly to those dark lands where my horseman does lie And with my sweet song his fair name I would say For he once rode a horse and it ne’er again shall neigh Broken hearted I wander Broken hearted I remain For my bonny light horseman In the wars he was slain
9.
Greensleeves 02:08
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Alas my love ye do me wrong To cast me off discourteously And I have loved you so long Delighting in your company Greensleeves was all my joy Greensleeves was my delight Greensleeves was my heart of gold And who but my lady Greensleeves I have been ready at your hand To grant whatever you would crave I have both waged life and land Your love and goodwill for to have Greensleeves was all my joy Greensleeves was my delight Greensleeves was my heart of gold And who but my lady Greensleeves Well I shall pray to God on high That love thy constancy may see And yet once before I die Thou wilt vouchsafe to love me Greensleeves was all my joy Greensleeves was my delight Greensleeves was my heart of gold And who but my lady Greensleeves
10.
The Jolly Beggar 06:10
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There wis a jolly beggarman And he wis dressed in green And he was saeking lodgings Out near doon by Aiberdeen And we’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ So late un twa the nicht We’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ Tho the meen shines ne’er sae bricht This beggar wid not lie in barn Nor yet wid he in byre But hae wid lie in tae the ha O’er by the kitchen fire And we’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ So late un twa the nicht We’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ Tho the meen shines ne’er sae bricht This beggar hae has made a bed O guid clean hay and stray And in a’hint the kitchen fire The jolly beggar lae And we’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ So late un twa the nicht We’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ Tho the meen shines ne’er sae bricht The guidman’s dochter she rase up Tae bar the kitchen door And there she spied that beggar Standin’ nakid on the fleur And we’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ So late un twa the nicht We’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ Tho the meen shines ne’er sae bricht He took the lassie in his airms And tae the bed he ran O hooli hooli wi me sir You’ll waken oor guidman And we’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ So late un twa the nicht We’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ Tho the meen shines ne’er sae bricht This beggar bein’ a cunnin‘ loon Ne’er a word he spake Until he got his joobie done Then hae began tae craic And we’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ So late un twa the nicht We’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ Tho the meen shines ne’er sae bricht Hae ye ony dogs aboot the house Or ony cats awa For I’m feart they’ll rive me mealpeox Afore I gang awa And we’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ So late un twa the nicht We’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ Tho the meen shines ne’er sae bricht She’s taen his mealpeox in her hands And thown them o’er the wa The deil gang wi your mealpeox Me maidenhead’s awa And we’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ So late un twa the nicht We’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ Tho the meen shines ne’er sae bricht He‘s taen a horn frae o his side He’s blown both loud and shrill And four and twenty belted knichts Came ridin o‘er the hill And we’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ So late un twa the nicht We’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ Tho the meen shines ne’er sae bricht He’s taen a pen knife frae his pooch Let his aud duddies fa And he wis the brawest belted knicht That wis amongst them a And we’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ So late un twa the nicht We’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ Tho the meen shines ne’er sae bricht And if ye’d been a decent lass As I thocht ye to be I’d a made ye the queen O’er a this hale country And we’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ So late un twa the nicht We’ll gang nae meer a rovin’ Tho the meen shines ne’er sae bricht
11.
As I Roved Out 03:53
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As I roved out on a bright May morning To view the meadows and flowers gay Whom should I spy but my own true lover As she sat under yon willow tree I took off my hat and I did salute her, I did salute her most courageously. But she turned around and the tears fell from her Saying false young man you have deluded me A diamond ring I owned I gave to you A diamond ring to wear on your right hand But the vows you made love you went and broke them And married the lassie that had the land If I married the lassie that had the land my love Tis that I’ll rue until the day I die When misfortune falls no man can shun it I was blindfolded I’ll ne’er deny And at nights as I go to my bed of slumber The thoughts of my true love run in my mind As I turn around to embrace my darling Instead of gold sure tis brass I find And I wish the queen would call home her army From the West Indies, Amerikay, and Spain And every man to his wedded woman In hopes that you and I will meet again
12.
Loch Lomond 03:16
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By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes The sun shines bright o’er Loch Lomond Where me and my true love were ever wont to gaze On the bonnie bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond O ye‘ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye But me and my true love will ne’er meet again On the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen On the steep steep side of Ben Lomond Where in purple hue the highland hills we viewed And the moon coming out in the gloaming O ye‘ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye But me and my true love will ne’er meet again On the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond The wee birdies sing and the wildflowers spring And in sunshine the waters are sleeping But the broken heart kens nae second spring again And the waeful may cease frae their grieving O ye‘ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye But me and my true love will ne’er meet again On the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond

about

Thank you for checking out this album and book!

The word acapella means ‘in the style of the chapel’. It is a term used to describe the voice, when used as an unaccompanied instrument. Having been a high school choirboy, who also took a few years of classical singing lessons, I really enjoy acapella singing - particularly when used to tell the stories contained in old folk songs.

This album is a collection of traditional folk songs from the British Isles and Ireland that resonate with me. Like many pākehā kiwis, my heritage is largely Scots, with a little bit of Scots-Irish thrown in - so I find that something in the storylines of these songs speaks to me in a deep way.

These songs are sometimes romantic, ribald, and risqué, presenting tales both natural and supernatural with a poetic style that seems to have fallen out of favour in modern songwriting. While this is a small book, I’ve tried to provide a bit of history about each song. If you want to learn more, all of these songs can be found in the Roud Folk Song Index; I’ve included index numbers in this book to help you track them down.

credits

released December 13, 2021

Recorded, Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Stephen Riddell
Book and Cover Design by Karl Jensen
Book Edited by Brendan West
Cover and Interior Photos by Michelle Mae Cameron

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Riddell Productions Wellington, New Zealand

Riddell Productions was founded in 2014 by Stephen & Amanda Riddell.

Stephen is a folk singer-songwriter and sound engineer who plays piano, guitar and harmonica.

Amanda is a virtuosa guitarist and composer who enjoys playing show music from the golden age of Broadway. ... more

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