We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Willie O' Winsbury

from Lowlands by Joe Callwood

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1.20 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

lyrics

The king had been a prisoner
And a prisoner long in Spain,
And Willie of the Winsbury
Has lain long with his daughter at hame.

"What ails ye, what ails ye, my daughter Janet,
Why you look so pale and wan?
Oh have you had any sore sickness
Or yet been sleeping with a man?"

"I have not had any sore sickness
Nor yet been sleeping wi' a man.
It is for you, my father dear,
For biding so long in Spain"

"Cast off, cast off your berry-brown gown,
You stand naked upon the stane,
That I may ken ye by your shape
Whether you be a maiden or none."

And she's cast off her berry-brown gown,
She stood naked upon the stone.
Her apron was low and her haunches were round,
Her face was pale and wan.

"Oh, was it with a lord or a duke or a knight
Or a man of birth and fame?
Or was it with one of me serving men
That's lately come out of Spain?"

"No, it wasn't with a lord, nor a duke, nor a knight,
Or a man of birth and fame.
But it was with Willie of Winsbury,
I could bide no longer alone."

And the king he has called on his merry men all,
By thirty and by three,
Says, "Fetch me this Willie of Winsbury,
For hanged he shall be."

But when he came the king before,
He was clad all in the red silk.
His hair was like the strands of gold,
His skin was as white as the milk.

"And it is no wonder, " said the king,
"That my daughter's love you did win.
If I was a woman, as I am a man,
My bedfellow you would have been."

"And will you marry my daughter Janet
By the truth of your right hand?
Oh, will you marry my daughter Janet?
I'll make you the lord of my land."

"Yes, I will marry your daughter Janet
By the truth of my right hand.
Yes I will marry your daughter Janet,
But I'll not be the lord of your land."

And he's mounted her on a milk-white steed
And himself on a dapple grey.
He has made her the lady of as much land
As she'll ride in a long summer's day.

credits

from Lowlands, released March 20, 2020

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Joe Callwood image

Joe Callwood Te Horo, New Zealand

Joe Callwood is a guitarist and composer, from Aotearoa, New Zealand.

His broad interests have seen him play everything from Blues/Psych Rock/ Jazz/World Music to Improvised Music/Film Soundtracks/Multi media projects.

Joe’s compositions draw on his background in Jazz, as well as his love of traditional music from Africa, India, Latin America, and his upbringing in the British folk tradition. ... more

contact / help

Contact Joe Callwood

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Joe Callwood, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now