British & other versions 2. The Drowsy Sleeper (Awake, Awake/I Will Put My Ship/Sweet Bann Water)
"Willie and Katie" close-up of Silver Dagger- R. Matteson
Narrative, No. 2 Drowsy Sleeper:
[The "night visit" ballads date back at least to the 1500s and the related ballad, "Who is at my Window Who[1]." Song XCVII, my version A, given here in full, is found in The Tea-table Miscellany: A Collection of Choice Songs, Scots & English; Volume 2 (edited by Allan Ramsay c. 1725):
He
Awake, thou fairest thing in nature
How can you sleep when day does break?
How can you sleep, my charming creature,
When half a world for you are awake.
She
What swain is this that sings so early,
Under my window by the dawn?
He
'Tis one, dear nymph, that loves you dearly,
Therefore in pity ease my pain.
She.
Softly, else you'll 'wake my mother,
No tales of love she lets me hear;
Go tell your passion to some other,
Or whisper softly in my ear.
He.
How can you bid me love another,
Or rob me of your beauteous charms?
'Tis time you were wean'd from your mother,
You're fitter for a lover's arms.
All four stanzas of Ramsay's song have been found in tradition. The last line of the third stanza should appear "And whisper in her ear," or similarly. She's asking him to go tell his passion to another and whisper in her ear.
Ba, a ballad recreation by Allan Cunningham (1784-1842) titled, "O Who is this Under My Window?" was published in December, 1810 in Cromek's "Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, with Historical and Traditional Notices relative to the Manners and Customs of the Peasantry." The ballad was attributed to Martha Crosbie. Cunningham's recreation was based on a traditional ballad, Bb, of which 5 stanzas and a brief synopsis were published by Cunningham in 1834[2].
In the summer of 1808, just after after publishing a book about Robert Burns[3], R. H. Cromek came to Dumfriesshire with the artist Stothard to collect material "for an enlarged and illustrated edition of the works of Burns[4]." The famous Scottish poet Robert Burns, who died in 1796 in Dumfries, for a short time (1788-1790) leased a farm in Ellisland and was a neighbor of Allan and his father, John Cunningham (1743-1800).
Cromek was also preparing for publication a "Collection of Scottish Songs, with notes and memoranda of Burns[5]." Through a letter of introduction, Cromek met Allan Cunningham and the two men's talk was "all about Burns, the old Border Ballads, and the Jacobite songs of '15 and '45[6]." After Cromek suggested publishing a volume of traditional songs from the peasants of Nithsdale, Cunningham went about collecting traditional songs and ballads in Nithsdale and Galloway. Cunningham, like Burns and others (Hogg mentions Motherwell) submitted folk songs for publication which he had recreated. Cromek returned to London and had no knowledge that the songs sent to him were recreations and also original poetry written in the style of the Scottish balladeer. In order to finish "Remains" in early 1810 Cromek requested Cunningham move to London, which he did on April 9, 1810. "Remains" was published later in the year, in December of 1810[7].
Cunningham's notes for the song "O Who Is This Under My Window?" follow[8]:
This old song is taken down from the singing of Martha Crosbie, from whose recitation Burns wrote down the song of "The Waukrife Minnie."
It has a fine affecting tune, and is much sung by the young girls of Nithsdale. Burns has certainly imitated the last verse of it in his "Red, Red Rose."
From the notes, if they are to be believed, Martha Crosbie would have been an informant for Burns during his stay at Ellisland farm, from 1788-1791 (or perhaps later when he moved to Dumfries but it was certainly before 1796) and since she entertained the Cunningham children, Burns would likely have met her through John Cunningham, Allan's father. Cunningham would have known the ballad by 1809 when he sent Ba to Cromek in London, having learned it from Crosbie at his father's house. Either he wrote the original down or had an excellent memory, because 24 years later he published Crosbie's traditional original as the notes for Burns', "A Red, Red Rose."
Here is the original from 1834 given in full, the Poet mentioned in the first line is of course Robert Burns[9]:
'An old Nithsdale song seems to have been in the Poet's thoughts when he wrote this exquisite lyric. Martha Crosbie, a carder and spinner of wool, sometimes desiring to be more than commonly acceptable to the children of my father's house, made her way to their hearts by singing the following ancient strain:-
"Who is this under my window?
Who is this that troubles me?"
"O, it is I, love, and none but I, love,
I wish to speak one word with thee.
Go to your mother, and ask her, jewel,
If she'll consent you my bride to be;
And, if she does na, come back and tell me,
This is the last time I'll visit thee."
"My mother's in her chamber, jewel,
And of lover's talking will not hear;
Therefore you may go and court another,
And whisper softly in her ear."
The song proceeds to relate how mother and father were averse to the lover's suit, and that, exasperated by their scorn, and the coldness of the maiden, he ran off in despair: on relenting, she finds he is gone, and breaks out in these fine lines:-
"O, where's he gone that I love best,
And has left me here to sigh and moan?
O I will search the wide world over,
Till my true love I find again.
The seas shall dry, and the fishes fly,
And the rocks shall melt down wi' the sun;
The labouring man shall forget his labour,
The blackbird shall not sing, but mourn,
If ever I prove false to my love,
Till once I see if he return."
In "A Red Red Rose," which Burns took almost wholly from tradition, he quotes the first two lines of Crosbie's last stanza. This quote appears similarly in a blackletter broadside, The Sailor's Departure from His Dearest Love and is standard in the Scottish "I Will Put My Ship" versions.
Just seven years later, another version of the ballad was written based on the traditional ballad titled, The Drowsy Sleeper[10]. Designated version Ca, The Drowsy Sleeper broadside was printed circa 1817 in Sheffield. The broadside had only two stanzas from tradition as found in Ramsay's 1725 song-- the other nine were the creation of an unknown ballad writer. Three additional similar but unique broadsides were printed by circa 1863 (Cb-Cd). Other British broadsides were printed but have essentially the same text as one of these four (Ca-Cd). The first two stanzas of Ca, found similarly in A, are traditional; after stanza two the following story-line was created by the broadside writer: Her father wakes and goes to the window but his daughter's lover Jemmy has gone. His daughter implores Jemmy to return saying she will marry him. Her father tells her he will confine her and that Jemmy will go to the sea. She asks for her portion, five thousand pounds, so she may follow him across the ocean. Her father declines and says he will confine her and give her bread and water once a day. She replies that she will die a single girl if she can't have her love.
Broadside Ba, 1817 printed by J. Crome, Sheffield
In Cc[11] the father overhears them and sends Jemmy into military service (press gang) overseas. She may write her love a letter but is confined and vows to die a single girl. In the Firth broadside, C.17(25), Cd[12]: she says she will go to Botany Bay to be with Jim and asks for her portion of five hundred pounds; her father denies her portion but says "you and your true love shall be married, And that will ease you of all your pain." Traditional versions from the UK that are based on the broadside texts Ca-d were collected in the early 1900s in England and are found under H. Ca is only two stanzas of the traditional ballad, the rest were created by a broadside writer. Cc has four stanzas related to the traditional ballad.
The broadside was also printed in Ireland in 1831 as reported on page 541 of Fraser's Magazine (Volume 3) by James Anthony Froude and John Tulloch, ". . .'The Drowsy Sleeper,' which still exists upon a halfpenny broadside, where it is recommended as “ a new song,' . . ." One Irish version with a partial text was later reported in the Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society[13], Volumes 1-3, 1892:
Here is a young man that cannot sleep himself, and is unwilling to let others sleep. Thus the swain sings—
"Awake, awake, all ye drowsy sleepers;
Awake, awake, it is almost day;
How can you sleep, love, any longer,
Since you have stole my poor heart away?
"‘Oh, hush,’ she said, ‘and don’t wake me mother,
Or else me father would quickly hear;
But go away, love, and court some other,’
She softly whispered into his ear.
“The father, hearing the great confusion,
Immediately jumped out of bed;
He put his head out of the winda,
But Jimmy, her true love, had quickly fled."
He was not gone permanently, however, for, being of the fortune-hunting persuasion, he knew better. The father kicked up rows, and threatened confining[14] to the young lady, and Botony Bay to Jimmy. The damsel insisted on getting her potion —ten hundred pounds, lawful due— but pater could not see it, and the end was a compromise—five hundred cash, and do as you like, which they did.
Although the broadsides in the UK did not represent the traditional ballad as established by the fragment A and the stanzas of C, a number of versions based on the broadsides became traditional in England around 1900 and are listed under H. Two versions based on the broadsides were published: Ha. "Who is That That Raps at my Window? sung by Mr. Hills (Sussex) 1901 Merrick was arranged for Piano and Voice by R. Vaughan Williams and Hc. "Arise, Arise" sung primarily by Jack Barnard (Somerset) in 1907 was included in Sharp's "100 English folk songs."
Clearly this is closely related to the Scottish "I Will Put My Ship in Order" sans the opening stanzas about the ship. The earliest published version by Christie[15] in 1876 has a happy ending not found elsewhere in tradition and was possibly recreated by Christie. Fortunately twenty-three versions of "I Will Put My Ship" were collected in Scotland by Grieg and Duncan in the early 1900s. Several of the ballads come from sources far back to the 1800s and certainly before Christie 1876 date. A composite ballad of 16 stanzas was created by Steve Gardham to study the ballad. These stanzas some of which are found in North America and in the other related ballads follow:
The Composite Ballad[16]
1. (A) I will set my ship in order,
And I will sail her on the sea,
And I will sail to yonder border
To see if my love still fancies me.
2. (B) He sail-ed east and he sail-ed west,
He sail-ed up, so did he down,
By France to Flanders he took no leisure,
Until he sail-ed the whole world 'round.
3. (C) He sail-ed east and he sail-ed west,
He sail-ed far across the main,
Until he came to his true love's window,
He knocked loudly and would be in.
4. (D) Oh who is at my bower window,
That knocks so loudly and would be in?
Tis I, tis I, your true love, Johnny,
I pray you rise and let me in.
5. (E) It's few true lovers I have without,
And as few true lovers have I within,
Unless it be my true, love Johnny,
And I am sure that ye are not him.
6. (F) Then go ye love, and ask your father,
See if he'll let you my bride be,
If he denies you come back an' tell me,
Twill be the last time I visit ye.
7. (G) My father's in his office writing,
And setting down his merchandise;
In his right hand he holds a letter,
Which greatly speaks to your dispraise.
8. (H) To my dispraise, love, to my dispraise,
To my dispraise, how can it be?
For I never slighted nor yet denied you,
Yet this night you've slighted me[17].
9. (I) Then go ye, love and ask your mother,
See if she'll let you my bride be,
If she denies you come back and tell me,
Twill be the last time I visit ye.
10. (J) My mother's in her chamber sleeping,
The sounds of love she will not hear,
So you must go and court another
And whisper softly in her ear.
11. (K) Oh, how could I go and court another
And you so full of beauty's charms?
You're fit enough to leave your mother,
You're fit enough for your true love's arms.
12. (L) Then up she rose put on her clothes,
All for to let her true love in,
But ere she had the door unbolted
His ship was sailing o'er the main.
13. (M) Come back, come back, my true love Johnny,
Come back, come back and speak with me,
How can I come back and speak with ye, love,
Our ship is sailing upon the sea?
14. (N) The fish shall fly, love, and the seas run dry,
And the rocks will all melt in the sun,
And husbandmen shall forget their labours
Before that I do return again.
15. (O) I wish the hills may all be paper
And all the seas turn into ink
And all the ships that's in the ocean[18]
May lose their keel and soon may sink.
16. (P) She turned herself right 'round about then,
And plunged her body into the sea,
It's fare ye well my true love Johnny,
Ye needna more come visit me.
Gardham has lettered each stanza (1 = A, 2 = B, etc.). He lettered the Grieg-Duncan versions A-S and also compare the 1876 Christie version and the 1930 Ord version. The longest set of stanzas (seventeen) comes from Greig-Duncan C which was taken from Duncan's sister, who was born in 1841. One significant change in Gardham's composite version is the asking permission for the marriage from the father first-- since in many versions the mother is asked first. I believe the "letter of dispraise" (which the father holds in his hand) is the important reason he leaves never to return. Gardham offers seven alternative stanzas [19] which includes three variant stanzas with the "Awake, awake you drowsy sleepers" text:
Till he came to his love's sweet bower,
It was drawing nigh to the break of day,
Awake, awake you lovely sleeper,
The sun is spreading the break of day[20].
A six-stanza hybrid of "I Will Put my Ship" from Northumbria that is titled, "I Drew My Ship into the Harbor" was published[21] in 1882. It begins similarly:
1. I drew my ship into the harbour,
I drew her up where my true love lay,
I drew her close by up to the window,
To listen what my dear girl did say.
Stanzas 3 and 4 are based on the ballad but rewritten while the last two stanza are added from other songs.
In Ireland a different hybrid of "I Will Put My Ship" that is titled "Sweet Bann Water" was collected by Sam Henry[22] in 1937. It has stanzas from another "night visit" song, "The Lover's Ghost" (Child No. 248, The Grey Cock):
1. I must away, I'll no longer tarry,
The sweet Bann water I mean to cross,
And over the mountains I'll roam with pleasure,
And spend one night with my own wee lass.
[Valantine Crawford collected in the Commercial Hotel, Bushmills in September 1937]
Compare to a version of Grey Cock:
1. I must be going, no longer staying
The burning Thames I have to cross
Oh I must be guided without a stumble
Into the arms of my dear lass.
[Mrs. Costello, recorded by Marie Slocombe and Patrick Shuldham-Shaw, 30.11.51]
Two other traditional variants of "Sweet Bann Water" have recently appeared in Ireland. "The Cock Is Crowing" was sung by John Butcher, and collected in 1969 by Hugh Shields. A stanza of "The Sweet Bann Water" as sung by Joe Holmes and Len Graham was recorded in 1977 by Séamus MacMathúna. The complete version has been recorded several times by Len Graham and has a stanza found occasionally in versions from the Southwest[23]. Cover versions of "Sweet Bann Water" have been recently recorded.
* * * *
A letter is referred to in two different instances in UK texts. In the first instance "writing a letter" is found in the British broadsides:
"O daughter, daughter, I will confine you.
Jemmy he shall go to sea,
And you may write your truelove a letter,
As he may read it when far away." [1817 broadside]
In the second instance (I Will Put My Ship variants) the father, instead of a silver dagger, holds a letter in his right hand (or pocket) "to the dispraise" of the male suitor:
7. (G) My father's in his office writing,
And setting down his merchandise;
In his right hand he holds a letter,
Which greatly speaks to your dispraise.
8. (H) To my dispraise, love, to my dispraise,
To my dispraise, how can it be?
For I never slighted nor yet denied you,
Yet this night you've slighted me. [I Will Put My Ship composite]
In this case the old saying, "the pen in mightier than the sword (dagger)" is realized, for Johnny leaves, gets back on his ship and will not return unless "The fish shall fly, love, and the seas run dry/And the rocks will all melt in the sun. . ." The letter is also found in versions from North America but the reason (to your dispraise) is usually corrupted and makes no sense.
_________________________
Footnotes:
1. Wedderburne's "The gude and godlie ballatis" is dated 1567 and begins, "Who is a my window, who, who?"
2. Cunningham's recollection appears in his Works of Robert Burns: With His Life, Volume 4 (1834). Although Cunningham is not a reliable source, in this case the ballad given is clearly from tradition. Unless it was written down, it is however a recollection of a song sung 25 years earlier.
3. Reliques of Robert Burns, consisting chiefly of original Letters, Poems, and Critical Observations on Scottish Songs. Collected and published by R. H. Cromek. 8vo. pp. 453. London, Cadell and Davies, 1808.
4. Life of Allan Cunningham: With Selections from His Works and Correspondence by David Hogg, 1875.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid
7. Published in Cromek's "Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, with Historical and Traditional Notices relative to the Manners and Customs of the Peasantry," 1810.
8. Ibid
9. Cunningham's Works of Robert Burns: With His Life, Volume 4 (1834).
10. Ca is "The Drowsy Sleeper" as published by J. Crome of Sheffield; c. 1817; Harding B 28(233).
11. Cc. "Maiden's Complaint" by T. Birt, London c. 1828.
12. Cd. "Awake, Drowsy Sleeper" Firth c.17(25); H. Such of London c. 1863 Harding B 11(3643).
13. From the article: An Account of the Old Street Ballads of Cork, p. 67.
14. originally "confinding"
15. "I Will Put my Ship in Order," from Traditional Ballad Airs, Volume 1, p. 225 by William Christie; 1876.
16. Given to me by Steve Gardham from his personal ballad study notes.
17. Originally, "Till the last night you slighted me."
18. This is supplied from another version, the stanza in Greig-Duncan C is in my opinion better, although it has no rhyme.
19. I'll give several:
Greig-Duncan D, stanza 3:
Now unto my love's bower window,
And see what she has got to say,
Awake, awake, ye drowsy sleepers,
Awake, awake it's almost day.
Greig-Duncan F, stanza 3:
It's when I can to my love's window,
It was drawing nigh to the break of day,
Rise up, rise up, ye droosy sleepers,
It's drawing to the break of day.
Christie stanza 3:
Till he came to his love's sweet bower,
It was drawing nigh to the break of day,
Awake, awake you lovely sleeper,
The sun is spreading the break of day
20. Stanza 3 from "I Will Put my Ship in Order," from Traditional Ballad Airs, Volume 1, p. 225 by William Christie; 1876.
21. "I Drew My Ship into a Harbor" Northumbrian Minstrelsy: A Collection of the Ballads, Melodies, and Small-Pipe Tunes of Northumbria; edited by John Collingwood Bruce, John Stokoe; 1882.
22. "Sweet Bann Water"- collected by Sam Henry from Valentine Crawford collected in the Commercial Hotel, Bushmills in September 1937.
23. See Ozark Folksongs online, for two versions with similar ending texts for this stanza:
For I can climb the high, high tree,
And I can rob the wild bird's nest;
And I can pluck the sweetest flower,
But not the flower that I love best. [Len Graham]
R. Matteson 2016]
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CONTENTS: (Individual texts can be viewed by clicking on the highlighted blue title below or on the title attached to his page on the left-hand column
1) Awake, thou fairest thing- (UK) c.1725 Ramsey
2) Who Is This Under My Window?- Martha Crosbie (Nith) 1809 Cunningham
3) The Drowsy Sleeper- (Norwich) 1817 J. Crome broadside
4) Cruel Father - (London) c.1820 J. Pitts broadside
5) Maiden's Complaint- (London) 1828 T.Birt broadside
6) Awake, Drowsy Sleeper- (LON) 1863 Such Broadside
7) I Will Put My Ship In Order- (Mor) 1876 Christie
8) I Drew My Ship- (Northumbria) 1882 Stokoe
Who is That That Raps? Hills (Sus) 1901 Merrick
Awake! Awake!- Amos Ash (Som) 1905 Hammond
Awake! Awake!- Mrs Gould (Dorset) 1906 Hammond
I Will Set My Fine Ship- Spence(Fyvie)1906 Greig A
I Will Set My Ship- Robert Chree(Aber) 1906 Duncan
I Will Set- John Mowat (Pits) c. 1906 Greig K
I Will Set My Ship- J. Quirrie (Tur) c.1906 Greig
I Will Set My Ship- Annie Ritchie (Whi) 1906 Greig
I Will Put My Ship- G. Riddell (Aber) 1906 Greig L
I Will Set My Ship- David Rorie(Aber) 1906 Greig S
I Will Set My Ship- Mrs Finnie (Aber) 1907 Greig R
Arise, Arise- Jack Barnard (Som) 1907 Sharp
Who is Knocking at my Window? (Hmps) 1907 Gardner
My Father Lies- Mrs. Notley (Dorset) 1907 Hammond
Who is There? Mrs. Russell (Dors) 1907 Hammond
I Will Set My Good Ship- Shirer(Aber) 1908 Grieg P
I Will Set My Good Ship- Lee (Stich) 1908 Greig D
I Will Rank My Ship- Duncan (Aber) 1908 Grieg Q
I Will Put My Ship- J. M. Taylor (Aber) 1909 Greig
I Will Put My Good Ship- Davidson (Tar) 1909 Greig
I Will Set My Ship- Gillespie (Glas) 1909 Greig C
I Will Put My Good Ship- Sangster(ml) 1910 Grieg B
I Will Put My Ship- Mrs. Watt (ND) c.1910 Greig G
Oh Rise, Oh Rise- Mrs. Lyall (Skene) 1911 Duncan H
Single I'll go to my grave- Wise (Oxf) 1915 Wms
I Will Set My Ship In Order- (UK) 1930 Ord
Sweet Bann Water- V. Crawford (Antrim) 1937 Henry
The Cock Is Crowing- Butcher (Derry) 1969 Shields
Sweet Bann Water- Joe Holmes (Derry) 1977 REC
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"The Sweet Bann Water"
The Musical Traditions of Northern Ireland
David Cooper - 2010
However, an examination of 'The Sweet Bann Water' (or 'The Night Visiting Song') as transcribed by Sam Henry from Valentine Crawford in the Commercial Hotel, Bushmills and published in September 1937, reveals a similar underlying
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Shamrock, Rose and Thistle: Folk Singing in North Derry / Hugh Shields gives the Irish text from John Butcher, 1969 (collected by Hugh Shields) which also has elements of "The Lover's Ghost":
The Cock Is Crowing
1. Oh the cock is crowing, daylight's appearing,
It's drawing nigh to the break of day,
-Arise my charmer, out of your slumber,
And listen to what your true-love says.
2. He walk-ed to his true love's window,
He kneel-ed low down upon a stone,
And through a pane he did whisper slowly,
-Arise my darling and let me in.
3. -O, who is that, that is at my window,
Or who is that, that knows me so well?
It's I, it's I, a poor wounded lover,
Who fain would talk, love, to you awhile.
4. Well go away love and ask your daddy,
If he'll allow you my bride to be,
If he says no, return and tell me,
For this is the last night I'll trouble you.
5. Well my dada is in his bed chamber,
He's fast asleep in his bed of ease,
But in his pocket there lies a letter,
Which read-es far, love, to your dispraise.
6. Oh, what dispraise can he give unto me?
A faithful husband to you I'll be,
And what all the neighbors has 'round their houses,
The same, my darling, you'll have with me.
7. Well go away love and ask your mammy,
If she'll allow you my bride to be,
If she says no, return and tell me,
For this is the last night I'll trouble you.
8. Well my mama is an old-age person,
She scarce could hear me, one word I say,
But she says, love, you go court some other,
For I'm not fitting, love, your bride to be.
9. Well I may go but I'll court no other,
My heart's still link-ed to all on your charms,
I would have you wed, love and leave your mammy,
For you're just fit to lie in your true-love's arms.
10. Now Kellybawn it is mine in chorus (sic),
And the green fields they are mine in white,
And if my pen was made of the temper steel,
Sure my true-loves praises I could never write.
11. But I'll go off to the wild mountains,
Where I'll see nothing but the wild deers,
Nor I'll eat nothing but the wild herbs,
Nor I'll drink nothing but my true-love's (spoken) tears.
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Cecil Sharp Manuscript Collection (at Clare College, Cambridge) (CJS2/10/1309)
Arise Arise
First Line: Arise arise you pretty maiden
Arise arise it is almost day;
And come unto your bedroom window
And hear what your true love do say.
Performer: Barnard, Jack
Date: 4 Apr 1907
Place: England : Somerset : Bridgwater
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
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Fraser's Magazine, Volume 3
edited by James Anthony Froude, John Tulloch; 1831
The Drowsy Sleeper, which still exists upon a halfpenny broadside, where it is recommended as "a new song,"—the Farmer’s Daughter, and the Roving Beggar Man, with many more, may readily be enumerated as specimens of the old English minstrelsy popular in Ireland, and which certainly appear to merit preservation. But it is requisite that we should pass on rapidly to the commencement of the last century, to gain a position more generally interesting than those usually chosen by antiquaries.
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Compare Len Graham's stanza:
For after dawning, there comes a morning
And after morning there comes a day,
And after one love there comes another
We need not hold them that will [go] away.
to stanza 11 below. At the end she commits suicide by plunging into the sea.
From: The Greig-Duncan folk song collection - Volume 4; p. 162-163 edited by Patrick N. Shuldham-Shaw, Emily B. Lyle - 1981. Collected in North Scotland early 1900s by Gavin Greig (1856–1914), and the minister James Bruce Duncan 1848-1917).
E. I WILL SET MY GOOD SHIP IN ORDER- Sung by Miss Kate Mitchell, collected by Gavin Grieg, c. 1910.
1. I will set my good ship in order,
And I'll sail far across the sea,
I'll sail far over to yon border
To see if my love minds on me.
2. I sail-ed east and I sail-ed west,
And I sail-ed far across the main,
I sail-ed on to my true love's window,
And knocked loudly and fain be in.
3. Fa's[1] that at my wee window,
That knocks sae loud and fain be in,
Tis I, it is yer ain dear Johnnie,
Arise, arise love and lat me in.
4. As few lads have I withoot ye,
And as few do I lat in,
But unless ye be my ain dear Johnnie
And I some doot that ye're nae him.
5 Arise, arise go ask your father,
If he will let you my bride be,
If he denies thee, come back and tell me,
For it's be the last time I'll visit thee.
6. My father's in his chamber writing,
Writing out some merchandise;
And he has a letter in hsi pocket,
And it bespeaks love, of your disgrace.
7. Of my disgrace, of my disgrace
Of my disgrace, it cannot be?
For I never denied thee, nor yet despised thee
Until this night ye've denied me.
8. Arise, arise go ask your mother,
If she will let you my bride be,
If she denies thee, come back and tell me,
For it's be the last time I'll visit thee.
9. My mother's in her beddie sleepin'
And words o' love she winna hear,
So I pray young man go and court some other
And whipser softly in her ear.
10. Fat[2] way could I gang and court anither,
Fin ye're the girl I love dear
Fin ye're the girl I adore,
And thocht love, that ye loved me.
11. But after night there comes a morning
and after morning there comes a day,
And after one Love there coems another
So fare-ye well I must away.
12. Before she got on her clothes,
therefore to let her love in
But before she got hte door unlocked
The ship was sailing unto the main.
13 Come back, come back my ain dear Johnnie,
Come back and speak ance mair tae me,
Fat way could I come back again love,
When my ship is sailing far o'er yon sea.
14. The fish may fly and the sea run dry,
And the very rocks melt wi' the sun.
Husbandmen may give o'er their labour
But that will be, love, when you return.
15. She stepped on a few steps further,
and she plunged her body into the sea,
Sayin' Ye may come back and court some other,
But ye winna come back and court wi' me.
1. Who's
2. what
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Night Visiting Song
England and Scotland.
Tune: "The Sweet Bann Water". [no informant named]
I must away, I'll no longer tarry,
The Sweet Bann Water I mean to cross,
And over the mountains I'll go with pleasure,
To spend a night with my own sweet lass.
Though the night be as dark as a dungeon,
Not a star to be seen above,
I will be guided without a stumble
Into the arms of my own true love.
When he came to his true love's window,
He knelt gently upon a stone,
And through the window he whispered slowly,
My darling dear, do you lie alone ?
She raised her head from her downy pillow,
And slowly raised her milk-white breast,
Saying, Who is this at my bedroom window,
Disturbing me at my night's rest ?
Arise, arise, it's your true lover,
Arise, my love, and let me in,
For I am weary of my long journey
And I am wet, love, unto the skin.
It's up she got, with greatest pleasure,
For to let her true love in.
They both embraced and they kissed each other,
And till morning they lay as one.
The cocks were crowing, the birds were whistling,
The night drew on to the break of day.
Remember, lass, I'm a ploughboy laddie,
And the farmer I must obey.
Now, my love, I must go and leave you,
To climb the hills, they lie high above,
But I will climb with greatest pleasure
Since I've been lying with my love.
---------------
https://archive.comhaltas.ie/tracks/12189
Joe Holmes (), Len Graham ()
Cumadóireacht
Sweet Bann Water
1977
Over high hills and lofty mountains
Len Graham
https://soundcloud.com/man-woman-child/sweet-bann-water-len-graham
Away, away, I can stay no longer.
The sweet Bann water I mean to cross.
Over high high hills and lovely mountains.
To spend the night with my own wee lass.
Though the night be dark, as dark as a dungeon.
And not a star there did appear.
I would be guided without a stumble.
Into the arms of my dear.
And when I came to my true love's window.
I kneeled down gently upon the stone
--------
Sarah Underhill
http://www.folkalley.com/openmic/song.php?id=18920
----------------------
Sam Henry's Songs of the People - Page 343, 344
Gale Huntington, Lani Herrmann - 2010 - Preview
Source: Valentine Crawford (Commercial Hotel, Bushmills) 1937 . Key G.
I must away, I'll no longer tarry,
The sweet Bann water I mean to cross,
And over the mountains I'll roam with pleasure,
And spend one night with my own wee lass.
If the night was dark as a dungeon
And not a star ever to appear,
I would be guided without a stumble
To that sweet arbour where lies my dear.
When I came to my true love's window,
I kneel-ed low on a marble stone,
And through a pane I did whisper slowly,
Saying, 'Darling, darling, are you at home?'
She raised her head from her downy pillow,
And covered was her snow-white breast,
Saying, 'Who is that, that is at my window
Disturbing me quite of my night's rest?
' 'It is I, it is I, your poor wounded lover,
So rise up, darling, and let me in,
For I am tired of my long journey,
Besides I'm wet, love, into the skin.'
When this long night was almost ended
And drawing nigh to the break of day,
She says, 'My darling, the cocks are crowing,
It's now full time you were going away.'
'Well , you may go , love , and ask your father
If he be willing you my bride may be,
And what he says, love, come back and tell me,
For this is the last night I'll trouble thee.'
'I need not go, love, to ask my father
For he is lying in his bed of ease
And in his hand he does hold a letter
Which leadeth much on to your dispraise.'
'Well, you may go, love, and ask your mother
If she be willing you my bride will be
And what she says, love, come back and tell me,
For this is the last night I'll trouble thee.'
'I need not go, love, to ask my mother,
For to love's silence she won't give ear,
But away, away, and court some other
That will consent without a fear.'
For after night, love, there comes a morning,
And after morning comes a new day,
And after one false love comes another,
It's hard to hold them that must sway.
--------------
[From: The Greig-Duncan folk song collection - Volume 4; p. 162-163 edited by Patrick N. Shuldham-Shaw, Emily B. Lyle - 1981. Collected in North Scotland early 1900s by Gavin Greig (1856–1914), and the minister James Bruce Duncan 1848-1917).
E. I WILL SET MY GOOD SHIP IN ORDER- Sung by (?)
1. I will set my good ship in order,
And I'll sail far across the sea,
I'll sail far over to yon border
To see if my love minds on me.
2. I sail-ed east and I sail-ed west,
And I sail-ed far across the main,
I sail-ed on to my true love's window,
And knocked loudly and fain be in.
3. Fa's[1] that at my wee window,
And see what she's got to say,
Tis I, it is yer ain dear Johnnie,
Arise, arise love and lat me in.
4. As few lads have I withoot ye,
And as few do I lat in,
But unless ye be my ain dear Johnnie
And I some doot that ye're nae him.
5 Arise, arise go ask your father,
If he will let you my bride be,
If he denies thee, come back and tell me,
For it's be the last time I'll visit thee.
6. My father's in his chamber writing,
Writing out some merchandise;
And he has a letter in his pocket,
And it bespeaks love, of your disgrace.
7. Of my disgrace, of my disgrace
Of my disgrace, it cannot be?
For I never denied thee, nor yet despised thee
Until this night ye've denied me.
8. Arise, arise go ask your mother,
If she will let you my bride be,
If she denies thee, come back and tell me,
For it's be the last time I'll visit thee.
---------------------
Drowsy Sleeper
England.
Words: Collated from a large number of sources, dating from the 1830's.
Tune: Collected from Dorset, England.
Arise, arise, you drowsy sleeper,
Awake, awake, it's almost day.
O come into your bedroom window
And hear what your true love do say.
Begone, begone, you'll wake my mother,
My father, too, will quickly hear.
Go tell your tales unto some other,
And whisper softly in her ear.
O then, O then, go ask your father
If he'll consent you my bride to be.
If he denies you, come and tell me
For it's the last time I'll visit thee.
My father's in his chamber, writing,
And setting down his merchandise,
And in his hand he holds a letter
And it speaks much to your dispraise.
To my dispraise, love, to my dispraise,
To my dispraise, love, how could it be ?
I never slighted, nor yet denied you.
Until this night you've denied me.
It's then, O then, go ask your mother
If she'll consent you my bride to be.
If she denies you, come and tell me
For it's the last time I'll visit thee.
My mother's in her chamber, sleeping,
And words of love she will not hear,
So you may go and court another
And whisper softly in her ear.
-----------------
From Peta Webb, assistant librarian at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (Cecil Sharp House, London)
Roud index gives No. 402 (Laws M4) to the 205 examples given, typical title being Awake, arise you drowsy Sleeper. Sharp's titles are Arise, Arise (Jack Barnard, James Saunders, Lucy White, Amos Ash, Rebecca Holland) plus one example of title Awake, Awake (James Saunders). First lines differ, several include the phrase "Drowsy sleeper". Card Index at VWML refers search for Awake, Awake and Arise, Arise to Drowsy Sleeper. The Drowsy Sleeper card lists the aforementioned examples collected by Sharp. It seems reasonable to conclude therefore that Sharp (as Roud, Laws) considered Awake/Arise /Drowsy sleeper to be all variants of the same song. 3)b) Silver Dagger has Roud No.711 (LawsG21). There are 86 refs., all USA/Canada. Card Index gives first line as "Young Men and maidens pay attention". All refs seem to be USA./Canada. Sharp version in "Eng. Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians" has this first line. I conclude therefore that this is a separate song from Awake, etc. Version of Silver Dagger in English Dance & Song Vol 27.2 1965 turns out to be a version collected by Sharp in Virginia, 1918, starting "Come young men and pay attention". I can find no ref. to Sharp collecting an English version of Silver Dagger. Roud gives 17 refs. to Sharp's versions collected in the USA. 2),4) Madden Broadside collection has Awake/Arise/Drowsy texts printed by Catnach, Jackson, Eavans, Pitts but the broadsides are not dated. Actual collecting of songs only started in the 1890s, so Sharp's would probably be the/among the/ earliest. Another collector, PW.Percy Merrick, contributes to Journal of Folk Song Society "O, who is that that raps at my window?" (a version of Awake,Awake) collected from Henry Hills,Sussex, 1904 (JEFSS Vol. 1 No.5 1904).
As we have now shifted back from English to Scots versions, I had look at Ord and Greig- Duncan references but these certainly don't seem to pre-date Sharp. I also had a look at our Broadside Index and found several references to Drowsy Sleeper on our microfilms of the Madden Collection in Cambridge University Library. The Broadsides are undated: printers are Such ( working from 1849 on); Catnach (1813 on); Jackson, Birmingham (dates unknown); Baird of Cork (dates unknown). Catnach version is similar to the 1817 version -refers to "Jemmy" - but is several stanzas shorter. As far as I can tell, you have answered your own question, and these 1834 and 1817 items are likely to be the earliest versions of The Drowsy Sleeper- unless you have any way of more precisely dating the Catnach version.
--------------------
Cc: AWAKE, DROWSY SLEEPER
Awake, awake, you drowsy sleeper
Awake, awake, it is almost day,
How can you be there and sleep so easy
Since my poor heart you have stole away.
Oh, who is that underneath my window?
Oh who is that that sings so sweet?
It's me, my dear, the young man made answer,
Long time been waiting for your sweet sake.
My mother lies in the next chamber,
My father he will quickly hear
So I'd have you go, love, and court some other,
Or whisper softly in my ear.
Oh no I won't go and court no other,
Since I have rifled your sweet charms
You are fit, love, for to leave your mother,
You're fitter to sleep in your true love's arms.
The old man heard in their conclusion
He gently stept out of the bed,
He popped his old head out of the window
But Jane's true love was gone and fled.
Daughter, daughter, I will close confine you,
Your brisk young lad I will send to sea
Then you may write to him a letter,
And he may read it in Botany Bay.
Jim is the lad that I do admire
Jim is the lad I mean to wed
And if I can't have my own desire
A maid I will go to my silent grave.
Two copies: Firth C17 (25) and Harding B 11 (3643).
-------------------------
Lyr. Add: THE MAIDEN'S COMPLAINT.
Awake, awake, you drowsy sleeper,
Awake, awake, 'tis break of day,
Can you sleep my love any longer,
Since my poor heart you've stole away.
Ah! who is that under my window,
Ah! who comes there to disturb my rest?
'Tis thy lover, the young man did answer
Long thus I have waited for your sake.
Jemmy, says she, should my father hear you,
We shall be ruined I fear;
He will send a cruel press gang for you,
And separate you and me, my dear.
Her father chanc'd to overhear them,
And for a press gang sent straight-way;
Against this young man gave information,
And sent him sailing on the sea.
So now my dear daughter I have deprived you
Of your love whom I have sent to see; (sic)
And now you may send him a letter,
With your misfortunes acquainted to be.
Oh cruel father pay down my fortune
Five hundred pounds is due you know;
And I will cross the briny ocean,
To find my true love I will go.
Jemmy is the man that I do admire,
He is the man that I do adore;,
And if I can't have my heart's desire
Single I will go for evermore.
Harding B 17 (183a). Printer, T. Birt, 10, Great St. Andrew Street, wholesale and retail, Seven Dials, London, Country Orders punctually attended to, Every description of Printing on reasonable terms.
Between 1828 and 1829.
----------------
----------------
Here is the text (no tune given or source named) from John Ord's Bothy Songs and Ballads, 1930.
I WILL SET MY SHIP IN ORDER
I will set my ship in order,
I will sail her upon the sea;
I'll sail far over yonder border
To see if my lovie mind on me.
He sailed east and he sailed west,
And he sailed far, far seeking lan',
Until he came to his true love's window,
And rapped Loudly and would be in.
"Oh, who is that at my bower-window,
That raps so loudly and would be in?"
"It's I, it's I, your own true lover,
Oh rise, oh rise, love, and let me in."
"It's few true lovers I have without,
And as few lovers I have within;
Unless it be my true Love, Johnnie,
And I'm weel sure that ye're no him."
"Oh then, oh then, go and ask your father,
And see if he'll let you marry me,
And if he says no, love, come back and tell me,
For it's the last time I'll visit thee."
"My father's in his chamber writing,
And setting down his merchandise;
And in his hand he holds a letter,
And it speaks much to your dispraise."
"To my dispraise, love, to my dispraise?
To my dispraise, love, how could it be?
For I never slighted nor yet denied you,
Until this night ye've denied me."
"It's oh then, oh then, go and ask your mother,
And see if she'll let you my bride be;
And if she denies then come back and tell me,
And it will be the last time I'll trouble thee."
"My mother's in her chamber sleeping,
And words of love she will not hear,
So ye may go, love, and court another,
And whisper softly in her ear."
Then up she rose, put on her clothing,
It was to let her true love in;
But ere she had the door unlocked
His ship was sailing upon the main.
"Come back, come back, my true love, Johnnie,
Come back, come back and speak to me."
Oh, how can I come and speak wi' thee, love,
When our ship is sailing upon the sea?"
"The fish may fly, and the seas go dry,
And the rocks may melt down wi' the sun,
The working men may forget their labour
Before that I do return again."
She's turned herself right and round about,
And she's flung herself into the sea,
Saying, "Farewell for aye, my true love, Johnnie,
For ye'll never hae to come back to me."
-----------------
Awake Awake You Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S227856)
First Line:
Source: H.E.D. Hammond MSS (VWML) D790
Performer: Russell, Mrs. Marina
Date: 1907 (Jan/Feb)
Place: England : Dorset : Upwey
Collector: Hammond, Henry
Roud No: 22620
-----
The Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S143156)
First Line: Awake, awake, you drowsy sleeper
Source: Baring-Gould Broadside Collection Vol.8, No.215 (Research Pubns. Index)
Performer:
Date:
Place:
Collector:
Roud No: 22620
--------------
Awake Awake You Drowsy Sleepers
Roud Folksong Index (S136234)
First Line: Awake awake you drowsy sleepers
Source: Plunkett Collection (Sussex Texts typescript)
Performer: Tompsett, George
Date: 1957 - 1960
Place: England : Sussex : Cuckfield
Collector: Plunkett, Mervyn
Roud No: 22620
-------------
Cruel Father
Roud Folksong Index (S202392)
First Line: Awake, awake, you drowsy sleeper
Source: Madden Collection (London Printers 3) [VWML mfilm No.76] Item no.113
Performer:
Date:
Place:
Collector:
Roud No: 22620
--------------------
Awake Awake You Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S227853)
First Line: Awake, awake, you drowsy sleeper
Source: H.E.D. Hammond MSS (VWML) D457
Performer: Gould, Mrs.
Date: 1906 (May)
Place: England : Dorset : Morecomblake
Collector: Hammond, Henry
Roud No: 22620
Awake Awake You Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S266148)
First Line: Crying, who is that knocking at my window
Source: George B. Gardiner MSS (VWML) H663
Performer:
Date: 1907 (May)
Place: England : Hampshire : Hannington
Collector: Gardiner, G.B.
Roud No: 22620
---------------
Who Comes Tapping to My Window
Roud Folksong Index (S373061)
First Line: Who comes tapping to my window
Source: Ceol 2: (1968) pp.44-46
Performer: Fitzgerald, Bridget
Date:
Place: Ireland : Co. Wexford : Blackwater
Collector: Shields, Hugh
--------------------
Awake Awake You Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S227852)
First Line: Awake! awake! you drowsy sleepers
Source: H.E.D. Hammond MSS (VWML) S3
Performer: Ash, Amos
Date: 1905 (Apr/May)
Place: England : Somerset : Combe Florey
Collector: Hammond, Henry
Roud No: 22620
---------------
Awake Awake You Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S227855)
First Line: Oh who is there all under my window
Source: H.E.D. Hammond MSS (VWML) D770
Performer: Russell, Mrs. Marina
Date: 1907 (Jan/Feb)
Place: England : Dorset : Upwey
Collector: Hammond, Henry
Roud No: 22620
--------------
Awake Ye Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S136235)
First Line: Awake awake ye drowsy sleeper
Source: Journal of American Folklore 60 (1947) pp.223-224
Performer: Larkin, William A.
Date: 1866 (30 May)
Place: USA : Illinois : Pekin
----------------
Arise Arise
Roud Folksong Index (S167607)
First Line: Awake awake O you drowsy sleeper
Source: Cecil Sharp MSS, Folk Words pp.1337-1338
Performer: Holland, Mrs. Rebecca
Date: 1907 (2 Sep)
Place: England : Devon : Stafford Common
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
Roud No: 22620
------------
Arise Arise
Roud Folksong Index (S167608)
First Line: Her father heard these lovers a-talking
Source: Cecil Sharp MSS, Folk Tunes p.690
Performer: White, Lucy
Date: 1905 (24 Dec)
Place: England : Somerset : Hambridge
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
Roud No: 22620
-------------
Awake Awake You Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S227854)
First Line: My father lies in the very next chamber
Source: H.E.D. Hammond MSS (VWML) D742
Performer: Notley, Mrs.
Date: 1907 (Jan)
Place: England : Dorset : Higher Woodsford
Collector: Hammond, Henry
Roud No: 22620
----------------
Who is a Tapping At My Window
Roud Folksong Index (S270785)
First Line: Who is that tapping at my window
Source: George B. Gardiner MSS (VWML) H59
Performer: Smith, William
Date: 1905 (Jun)
Place: England : Hampshire : Twyford
Collector: Gardiner, G.B.
Roud No: 22620
---------------
I'll Lock You Up in Your Bedchamber
Roud Folksong Index (S268391)
First Line: I'll lock you up in your bedchamber
Source: George B. Gardiner MSS (VWML) H376
Performer: King, Mrs.
Date: 1906 (16 Jul)
Place: England : Hampshire : Lyndhurst
Collector: Gardiner, G.B.
Roud No: 22620
-------------
Who's There Who's There Under My Window
Roud Folksong Index (S270789)
First Line: Who's there, who's there, under my window
Source: George B. Gardiner MSS (VWML) H422
Performer: Etheridge, Mrs. Maria
Date: 1906 (25 Jun)
Place: England : Hampshire : Southampton
Collector: Gardiner, G.B.
Roud No: 22620
---------------
Arise Arise
Roud Folksong Index (S167606)
First Line: Arise arise you pretty (drowsy) maidens
Source: Cecil Sharp MSS, Folk Words pp.1227-1228 / Folk Tunes p.1309
Performer: Barnard, Jack
Date: 1907 (4 Apr)
Place: England : Somerset : Bridgwater
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
Roud No: 22620
Awake Awake Ye Drowsy Souls
Roud Folksong Index (S314510)
First Line: Awake awake ye drowsy souls and hear what I shall tell
Source: Francis Collinson MSS Collection (VWML) Vol.1 No.31
Performer: Small, J.
Date: 1944 (11 Mar)
Place: England : Birmingham
Collector: Collinson, Francis
---------------
O Who is that that Raps At My Window
Roud Folksong Index (S156180)
First Line: O who is that that raps at my window
Source: Merrick, Folk Songs from Sussex pp.12-15
Performer: Hills, Henry
Date:
Place: England : Sussex : Lodsworth
Collector: Merrick, W. Percy
Roud No: 22620
-----------
Arise, Arise
Roud Folksong Index (S135965)
First Line: Awake, awake, you drowsy sleeper
Source: Karpeles, Cecil Sharp Collection 1 p.332 (Version d)
Performer: Ash, Amos
Date: 1908 (14 Sep)
Place: England : Somerset : Combe Florey
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
Roud No: 22620
Subjects: Awake awake : Drowsy sleepers : etc.
--------------
Arise, Arise
Roud Folksong Index (S135963)
First Line: Awake, awake, all ye drowsy sleepers
Source: Karpeles, Cecil Sharp Collection 1 p.330 (Version b)
Performer: Saunders, James
Date: 1910 (1 Sep)
Place: England : Newcastle
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
Roud No: 22620
Subjects: Awake awake : Drowsy sleepers : etc.
----------------
O Who is that Raps At My Window
Roud Folksong Index (S324896)
First Line: O who is that raps at my window
Source: Lucy Broadwood MSS (Vaughan Williams Memorial Library) LEB/5/318
Performer: Hills, Mr.
Date: 1901
Place: England : Sussex
Collector: Merrick, W. Percy
Roud No: 22620
----------------
Arise, Arise
Roud Folksong Index (S135964)
First Line: Her father heard these lovers a-talking
Source: Karpeles, Cecil Sharp Collection 1 p.331 (Version c)
Performer: White, Mrs. Lucy
Date: 1905 (24 Dec)
Place: England : Somerset : Hambridge
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
Roud No: 22620
Subjects: Awake awake : Drowsy sleepers : etc.
-----------------
O Who is that that Raps At My Window
Roud Folksong Index (S156179)
First Line: O who is that that raps at my window
Source: Sharp, English County Folk Songs (1908-1912 / 1961) pp.194-197
Performer: Hills, Henry
Date:
Place: England : Sussex : Lodsworth
Collector: Merrick, W. Percy
Roud No: 22620
--------------------
Lovely Molly
Roud Folksong Index (S336929)
First Line: O who raps at my window
Source: Peter Hall Sound Collection (copy in School of Scottish Studies and Vaughan Williams Memorial Library)
Performer: Macdonald, Jessie
Date: 1960s - 1980s (?)
Place: Scotland
Collector: Hall, Peter
Roud No: 22620
---------------------
First Line: Awake awake O you drowsy sleeper
. . . for it's almost day
How can you sleep, you most charming creature,
Since you have stolen my heart away?"
Performer: Holland, Rebecca
Date: 2 Sep 1907
Place: England : Devon : Stafford Common
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
----------------
Awake Awake
Roud Folksong Index (S167879)
First Line: Awake awake all ye drowsy sleepers
Source: Cecil Sharp MSS, Folk Tunes p.2522
Performer: Saunders, James
Date: 1910 (1 Sep)
Place: England : Northumberland : Newcastle
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
Roud No: 22621
O Who is that that Raps At My Window
Roud Folksong Index (S156178)
First Line: O who is that raps at my window
Source: Journal of the Folk-Song Society 1 (1904) pp.269-270
Performer: Hills, Henry
Date:
Place: England : Sussex : Lodsworth
Collector: Merrick, W. Percy
Roud No: 22620
Subjects: Who's at my window : etc.
--------------
The Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S143146)
First Line: O who is that singing all under my window
Source: Palmer, Folk Songs Collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1983) pp.77-78
Performer: Saxton, Mr.
Date: 1913 (16 Sep)
Place: England : Herefordshire : Ashperton
Collector: Vaughan Williams, Ralph
Roud No: 22620
-----------
O Who is that that Raps
Roud Folksong Index (S324890)
First Line: O who is that that raps at my window
Source: Lucy Broadwood MSS (Vaughan Williams Memorial Library) LEB/5/306-307
Performer: Hills, Mr.
Date: 1901 (10 Oct)
Place: England : Sussex
Collector: Merrick, W. Percy
Roud No: 22620
-------------
The Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S384762)
First Line: Who is there at my bedroom window
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5951 / 3622
Performer: MacDonald, Augustine
Date: 1958 (Jun)
Place: Canada : Nova Scotia : New Sydney
Collector: Creighton, Helen
Roud No: 22620
-----------------
Arise, Arise
Roud Folksong Index (S135960)
First Line: Arise arise you pretty maiden
Source: Karpeles, Cecil Sharp Collection 1 pp.329-330 (Version a)
Performer: Barnard, Jack
Date: 1907 (4 Apr)
Place: England : Somerset : Bridgwater
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
Roud No: 22620
Subjects: Arise, arise : Maiden : Bedroom window : Parents will hear : Johnny : Father threatens to press him to sea
------------
Let the Hills and Valleys Be Covered With Snow
Roud Folksong Index (S151942)
First Line: Who is that tapping at my window
Source: Reeves, Everlasting Circle (1960) p.177 (Version b)
Performer: King, Mrs.
Date: 1906 (16 Jul)
Place:
Collector: Gardiner, George B.
Roud No: 22620
Subjects: Lover at window : Parents will hear: Daughter requests money to accompany lover : Jamie
-----------------
To pursue for a moment the English connection, here is a set from Cecil Sharp's collection, noted in 1907. The link at the end is to a midi file; textual correspondences can be misleading on their own, so the melody is often an integral part of any consideration of relationships.
ARISE, ARISE
(Noted by Cecil Sharp from Jack Barnard, Bridgwater, Somerset, 1907)
Arise, arise, you pretty maiden,
Arise, arise, it is almost day,
And come unto your bedroom window
And hear what your true love do say.
Begone, begone, you'll awake my father,
My mother she can quickly hear;
Go and tell your tales unto some other
And whisper softly in their ear.
I won't be gone for I love no other,
You are the girl that I adore;
It's I, my dear, who love you dearly,
It's the pain of love that have brought me here.
Then the old man heard the couple talking,
He so nimbly stepped out of bed,
Putting his head out of the window,
Johnny dear was quickly fled.
Now daughter dear, tell me the reason
You will not let me take my silent rest.
I'll have you confined to your silent bedchamber
And your true love to sea I will press.
Now father dear, pay down my fortune,
It's full five thousand pounds, you know,
That I may cross the briny ocean
Where the stormy winds do blow.
Now daughter dear, you may ease your own mind
'Tis for your sweet sake that I say so;
If you cross the briny ocean
Without your fortune you must go.
Text from Susie Clarke per Jack Barnard at Bridgwater, 6 April 1907.
Cecil Sharp's Collection of English Folk Songs, ed. Maud Karpeles; vol.I no.78, p.329. OUP 1974.
H.E.W. Hammond collected "One Night As I Lay on My Bed" in early 1907 from Mrs Marina Russell from Upwey, Dorset, and in 1906 from
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Who comes tapping to my window
Who Comes Tapping to My Window
Roud Folksong Index (S373061)
First Line: Who comes tapping to my window
Source: Ceol 2: (1968) pp.44-46
Performer: Fitzgerald, Bridget
Date:
Place: Ireland : Co. Wexford : Blackwater
Collector: Shields, Hugh
Ceol collection (1968)
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DROWSY SLEEPER - England.
Words: Collated from a large number of sources, dating from the 1830's. Tune: Collected from Dorset, England.
Stephen Sedley's book, The Seeds of Love (1967), and is one of two separate songs he "constructed" from the same seven (!) separate sources; not, I'm afraid, evidence of anything at all apart from Sedley's extravagant imagination and complete lack of concern for authenticity. The tune was from Marina Russell of Upwey in Dorset, noted early 20th century, incidentally. The only 1830s source cited for any of that dog's breakfast was "a note in Cunningham's 1834 edition of Burns", whatever that might have been.
WHO'S THAT KNOCKING AT MY BEDROOM WINDOW? - Anne O Neill recorded Kennedy 1952