O! the Oak and the Ash (William Whittaker)

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• (Posted 2023-12-20)  CPDL #78389:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-12-20).   Score information: Letter, 12 pages, 711 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: O! the Oak and the Ash
Composer: Anonymous (Traditional)
Arranger: William Whittaker
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB, divisi
Genre: Secular, Partsong, Folksong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1914 Stainer & Bell
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text

A North Countrie lass up to London did pass
Although with her nature it did not agree,
Which made her repent and so often lament
Still wishing again in the North for to be.
O! the oak and the ash, and the bonny rowan tree
Do flourish at home in my ain countrie.

O! fain wad I be in the North Countrie
Where the lads and the lasses are making of hay;
There shall I see what is pleasant to me
A mischief light on them that enticed me away.
O! the oak and the ash, and the bonny rowan tree
Do flourish at home in my ain countrie.

At wakes and at fairs, being void of all cares,
We there with our lovers did use for to dance,
Then hard hap had I, my ill-fortune to try,
And go up to London, my steps to advance.
O! the oak and the ash, and the bonny rowan tree
Do flourish at home in my ain countrie.

But still I perceive I a husband might have
If I to the city my mind could but frame;
But I’ll have a lad that is North Countrie bred
Or else I’ll not marry, in the mind that I am.
O! the oak and the ash, and the bonny rowan tree
Do flourish at home in my ain countrie.