7N. Through Lonesome Woods; Roud 3461
["Through Lonesome Woods" is a variant of Died for Love[1] that stems from a single version collected by George Gardiner in Hampshire in 1908. Although known recently in the Cadnam/Witney area, the song has only been traced to Henry Perkes of Cadnam, Hampshire who sang "Through Lonesome Woods" for George Gardiner on October 20, 1908[2]. The tune is in 5/4 time and is sung from the male perspective, uncommon for songs related to Died for Love. Only the last line of the first stanza and the entire second stanza are clearly related[3]:
As I was going up Dibden town
I saw my true love a-sitting down.
I saw her sitting on another man's knee,
Which don't you think 'twas grief for me.
Dibden Town is surely "Dibden Purlieu," a small village situated on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire. Stanza 3 seems like it was plucked from "The Soldier's Return." The first two lines of the last stanzas have the feeling of the end of "Trees They Do Grow High"-- with life's passing of time. Despite its obscure and singular origin, this folk song has become popular in recent years and has been recorded by a number of UK artists including the Bella Hardy and also the Askew Sisters. Here's Perkes original text:
Through Lonesome Woods- sung by Henry Perkes of Cadnam, Hampshire on October 20, 1908. Collected by George Gardiner.
[music]
1. Through lonesome woods I took my way,
So dark, so dark, as dark can be.
Where leaves were shivering on every tree
Which don't you think 'twas grief to me.
2. As I was going up Dibden town
I saw my true love a-sitting down.
I saw her sitting on another man's knee,
Which don't you think 'twas grief for me.
3. I called my true love by her name,
Then up she rose and to me came.
I gave her kisses by one, two, three
But none so sweet as she gave me.
4. Now the winter's gone, the summer's come,
The small birds from the nest is sprung.
I'll tell you plainly unto your face,
"You're not the young man that I love best."
5. Now the winter's gone, the summer's come,
The small birds from their nest is sprung
I'll neither borrow nor I'll lend
But I'll keep my heart for a better friend.
R. Matteson 2017]
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Footnotes:
1. The relationship with Died for Love is clear - although stanza 2 is the only stanza borrowed from Died for Love. The false lover (see stanzas 2 and 4) is the trademark of Died for Love. The first stanza introduces Died For Love textual material with the last line: "Which don't you think 'twas grief for me."
2. From George Gardiner Collection. The original MSS may be viewed online.
3. The stanza is found similarly in versions of Brisk Young Lover; Alehouse (Roud 60) and I Wish I Wish (Roud 495).