Apron Low- George Barrett (Wilt) 1916 A. Williams
[My title abbreviating--"When I wore my apron low." From WSRO: 2598/36 Packet 4 - Wiltshire: Williams, A: MS collection No Wt 424. First published: Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 12th August, 1916, p 3, Part 41, No. 7. Williams notes follow.
This version begins with two stanzas of Constant Lady.
R. Matteson 2017]
Notes by Alfred Williams: Ms / WGS: 'A variant of the old piece, 'There is a tavern in the town'. This may be prior to that, though one cannot speak with certainty. The copy was given to me by G Barrett, Marston Meysey.'
Apron Low- sung by George Barrett of Marston Meysey, Wiltshire before 1916. Collected A. Williams.
Verse 1: There is a flower as I've heard say,
That blossoms by night and fades by day;
I wish I could that flower find,
To ease my heart, and cool my mind.
Verse 2: 'Twas down in the meadows where she roamed,
Gathering flowers as they grew;
Some she gathered and some she pulled,
Until she gathered her apron full.
Verse 3: When I wore my apron low,
He'd follow me through frost and snow;
But now my apron's to my chin,
He passes by and says nothing.
Verse 4: There is an alehouse in the next town,
My loves goes in and sits himself down;
He takes a strange girl on his knee,
He cares not for my company.
Verse 5: I'll tell you the reason, I'll tell you the why,
Perhaps she's got more gold than I;
Her gold will fade, her beauty will blast,
And then she'll become like me at last.
Verse 6: Pray dig me a grave that's long, wide and deep,
And strew it all over with flowers so sweet,
Write on my tombstone two turtle doves,
Let all the world see that I died for love.