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JUST AS THE TIDE WAS A-FLOWING Vocal and Guitar: Richard

A traditional English song of seduction.

LYRICS:

One morning in the month of May down by a rolling river
A jolly sailor I did stray when I beheld some lover
So carelessly along did stray a-picking of the daisies gay
So sweet she sang a rondele just as the tide was a-flowing

Oh, her dress it was as white as milk and jewels they did adorn her
Her shoes were made of the crimson silk just like some maid of honor
Her cheeks were red, her eyes were brown, her hair in ringlets hanging down
She'd a lovely brow without a frown just as the tide was a-flowing

I mad a bow and said, "Fair maid, how came you here so early?
My heart by you it is betrayed for I could love you dearly
I am a sailor come from sea, if you will accept my company
To walk and view the fishes play just as the tide is a-flowing"

No more we said but on the way we ganged along together
The small birds sang and the lambs did play and pleasant was the weather
When we were weary we both sat down beneath the tree with the branches all around
And what was done shall never be found as long as the tide is a-flowing

But as she lay there upon the grass here colours they kept a-changing
Till she cried out and said, "Alas, never let your mind be a-ranging
Here's twenty pounds I have in store. Meet me when you will, there is plenty more
For me jolly sailor I adore just as the tide is a-flowing

Well we both shook hands and away did steer, Jack Tar drinks rum and brandy
To keep his shipmates in good cheer, the lady's gold is handy
And along with some pretty maid I'll go, to a public house where the brandy do flow
Success to the maid that will do so just as the tide is a-flowing

NOTES:

I've known about this song for along time. This version is from the singing of David Jones. Like a lot of traditional songs this one is less sentimental. It's been called the tale of a pleasure-seeking sailor taking advantage of a trusting young lady. After the seduction she offers him money for future sexual favors and he takes it but he makes no promises to her in the song. The money, he feels, will help him keep his comrades in good cheer. This song can be found in Marrowbones, a collection of English folk songs. Most Morris dancers know the melody as the tune The Blue Eyed Stranger.