A compendium of articles relating to the history, culture and lifestyles of the people of Britain and Ireland Islands of the north Atlantic - a library of information about British and Irish history, culture and identity Islands of the north Atlantic - a library of information about English, Scottish, Welsh  and Irish history and identity, folklore and tradition.
Culture, tradition and folklore from the islands of the North Atlantic, poems, artwork, essays, supernatural stories, tales of heroes and legends.

Music And Song - English Folk Song

Edward

Posted by IONA English folk correspondent, 8th Apr 2006

"What blood? What blood on th' p'int of your knife?
Dear son, come tell to me."
"Its th' blood of my old grey horse
That plowed th' corn for me, me, me
That plowed the corn for me."

"What blood? What blood on th' p'int of your knife?
Dear son, come tell to me."
"Its the blood of my old Guinea sow
That ate the corn for me, me, me,
That ate the corn for me."

"What blood? What blood on th' p'int of your knife?
Dear son, come tell to me."
"Its the blood of my oldest brother
That fought the battle with me, me, me,
That fought the battle with me."

"What did you an' your dear brother fight about?
Dear son, come tell to me."
"We fit about the holly bush
That grows by the mary tree, tree, tree,
That grows by the mary tree."

"What will you do when your father comes home?
Dear son, come tell to me."
"I'll put my foot in a bunkem boat
An' sail across the sea, sea, sea,
An' sail across the sea."

"What will you do with your pretty little wife?
Dear son, come tell to me."
"I'll put her in the bumken boat
To sail along with me, me, me
To sail along with me."

"What will you do with your pretty little babe?
Dear son, come tell to me."
"I'll leave it all along with you
To dandle on your knee, knee, knee
To dandle on your knee."

We try to ensure all material is as factually correct as possible. Tell us if you see something published in error, or if you have another version of a story to share with our readers please let us know. Please submit in plain text format only. All material posted on these pages is, we believe, to be in the public domain. However if you see something which you know to be copyright protected, please let us know and we will act on your instructions. Contact us here.