The Sweet Bann Water
[From recording by Séamus MacMathúna. He recorded a verse of Joe Holmes/ Len Graham of Co. Derry in 1977. The remainder is from Len Graham who I assume learned his version from Joe. It's similar to he 1937 version collected by Sam Henry.
There are several cover versions of this ballad.
Some online notes follow,
R. Matteson 2016]
'Sweet Bann Water’ was originally collected by Sam Henry, who received it from a Valentine Crawford of Bushmills, Co. Antrim, and published it in the Northern Constitution on 25 September 1937, where he worked as the Song Editor during 13 of the 16 years spanning 1923-1939. The song and its tune were later catalogued as entry H722 (page 343) in the magnificent book ‘Sam Henry’s Songs of the People’, edited by Gale Huntington, Lani Herrmann and Dr John Moulden.
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Eddie Butcher, Joe Holmes & Len Graham
Eddie Butcher (1900-1980) was born in Masgilligan, Co Derry, and farmed there with his wife Gracie and their family. His early life revolved around the Hiring Fairs, potato lifting, and nights of songs and music at home and in local Ceilidh houses. His 1960s radio broadcasts brought some renown, and influenced both younger singers like Paul Brady and Andy Irvine, and local tradition bearers like Joe Holmes (1906-1978) and Len Graham (b. 1944), with whom Eddie sang and performed. They joined him at the 1975 sessions at Eddie's home that gave rise to the two Free Reed LPs of fine and rare Ulster song and music presented here.
For after night love, there comes a morning
And after morning comes a new day,
And after one false love there comes another
It's hard to hold them that must sway.
Sarah Makem, and am working on the song Derry Gaol. Sarah's first verse:
Oh it's after morning there comes an evening
And after evening, another day
And after a false love there comes a new one
It's hard to hold them that will not stay.
The Sweet Bann Water- Sung by Joe Holmes/ Len Graham live in 1977 (first stanza), remainder by Len Graham- live.
Away, away I can stay no longer,
The Sweet Bann Water I mean to cross,
O'er high hills and the lofty mountains,
To spend the night with my own wee lass.
Though the night be as dark as [a] dungeon,
And none a star there did appear,
I will not be guided without a stumble
Into the ar-rums[1] of my dear.
Slowly I crept unto my love's window,
And slowly knelt down upon a stone,
And through the pane I gently whispered,
Saying, Mary darling, are you at home?
Then slowly, slowly the door she opened,
And slowly, slowly I slid in,
And the night we lay each other arms,
Till the lang night was near an end.
Oh, go away and ask your mother
If she is willing my bride you may be,
if she says, No, come back and tell me,
Tis the last night I will trouble you.
I will not go and rouse my mother
For she's in her chamber all at her ease
In her right hand she holds a letter
which reads my[2] love, to your disgrace.
What makes them speak so ill of me, love?
A loyal lover to you I have been.
A loyal lover and a constant sweetheart,
True to you I have always been.
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.
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.
And as I sit down all at my leisure
And my foolish follies I think on
In placing of my fond affection
All on a maid so hard to win.
1. arms