Rhubarb & Bramble Digital

The Old Soldier’s Door

A song for all those who struggle with or care for someone with dementia

Remembering all you have done,
the dark memories obscure the sun.
You’re living in your darkest hour,
sheltered ‘neath a shrapnel shower.

Chorus:
No ones knocking on your door,
No one visits any more
No ones knocking on your door

The happy times are locked away so deep
today, tomorrow’s memories keep.
Now your life’s chores mundane,
you demented mule you’re not insane.

Chorus:

The medication helps to make you last,
keeps you living in the past.
You served your time you gave your best,
with the sun you’re fading west.

Chorus:

Exasperated all our patience you try,
seeing you now makes me cry.

Chorus

Emilly Frank Hayes – Additional Vocals
Richard Sellen – Electric Lead Guitar
Paul Hayes – all other instruments, vocals

She Moved Through the Fair

This is my version of this song listed as a traditional song from Ireland. The poet Padraig Colum wrote the original with Herbert Hughes putting the verses to music, first published in 1909.

Once I had a sweetheart, loved her so well
Loved her much better than my lips can tell
Her parents they did slight me for the want of gear
Adieu to our pleasure since I lost my dear

She went away from me moved through the fair
Fondly I watched her go here go there
Then she went homeward one star awake
A swan in the evening moved over the lake

People they are saying no two were ere wed
One has a sorrow it goes unsaid
She smiled as she passed with her goods and her gear
That was the last that I saw of my dear

Last night I dreamt that my young love came in
Softly she entered her feet made no din
She lay close by me and these words did say
It will not be long till our wedding day

David Jacob – Fiddle
Paul Hayes – all other instruments and vocal

Mountain Voice

I live and walk in the beautiful Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire. I often stop and think about the landscape, its history and associated stories. This song tries to capture some of those thoughts.

There’s a voice on the mountain telling a tail
Ancient and modern stories regale

Fortified hilltop safe and secure
A refuge for clansmen in days of yore

The clan chief is buried under a mound
A circle of stones marking the ground

Ancient the path ways that cross this terrain
Trade and religious links to maintain

The stories link present future and past
Timeless the landscape the stories will last

From the voice on the mountain telling a tale
Whispered on the wind r the roaring gale

Paul Hayes – all instruments and vocal

Johnny Todd

There are many versions of this song lodged at Cecil Sharpe House. Some versions are from Somerset others from Dorset, here’s mine.

Johnny Todd he had
a notion for to sail
He left his love behind
How she did weep and wail

For a week she wept full sore
tore her hair, wrung her hands
’till another sailor boy
she met walking on the sands

Fair maid why do you weep
For your Johnny gone to sea
Tomorrow marry me
Constant, kind I’ll be

I will buy you sheets,
I will buy you a wedding ring
A gilded cradle too
For to rock our baby in

Johnny Todd came home
From sailing the ocean wide
He found his fair, false love
She was another’s bride

You men who go and sail
Or fight a foreign foe
Don’t leave your love behind
Marry her before you go
Don’t leave your love behind
Like dear old Johnny Oh

Emilly Frank Hayes – Vocals
Paul Hayes – all instruments and vocal

The Lady of the Lake

Another song drawing upon the mythology of Siren claiming a man, or just a story about a dragonfly.

I came upon the lake at early morn
A dragonfly appeared newly born
Urgent is the courtship flight
Of a dragonfly oh so newly born

I’m sure I heard her call my name
As gently rising from the waters came
The fairest maid my eyes had ever seen
Gently rising from the waters came

Although I knew this was not wise
I was held by the gaze of her blue eyes
I should have left there and then
I was held by the gaze of her blue eyes

The scent of passion filled the air
My head told my heart beware
All was lost I was captured there
The scent of passion filled the air

I ventured forth without control
To offer her my heart and soul
Her open arms drew me in
She took away my heart and my soul

I’m sure that I saw her weep
As she pulled me down into the deep
Milky breasts limbs entwined
We tumbled down into the deep

There’ll be no weeping at my wake
I’ve gone to join the lady of the Lake
I gave my life so I could live
With the Lady of the Lake

All good me you head my call
Take good care be sure you don’t fall
Honest, kind and gentle be
Take good care be sure that you don’t fall

For the Lady of the Lake
Or pray the lord your soul to take
Urgent be your courtship dance
You dragonfly oh so newly born

Paul Hayes – all instruments and vocals

No John No

There are many versions of this song lodged at Cecil Sharpe House. Some versions are from Somerset others from Dorset, here’s mine.

A fair maid walking in her garden
Though her name I do not know
I’ll go court her for my pleasure
Did her answer yes or no

Chorus:
No John no
No John no
Oh no John no John no

Madam in your face there’s beauty
Pretty are your posies oh
‘Neath your aprons there is pleasure
May I view it yes or no

Chorus:

My husband is a Spanish captain
He went to sea a month ago
Before he left me first he kissed me
Bid me always answer no

Chorus:

Madam my I tie your garter
Tie it a little above your knee
If my hand should slip a little further
would you think it amiss of me

Chorus:

Madam and I went to bed together
There we lay till the break of day
Open your arms my dear fair lady
Open your arms and let me go

Chorus:

Annette Jacob – Additional Vocals
David Jacob – Fiddle and Electric Guitar
Paul Hayes – all other instruments and vocals

The Good Times

A little tongue in cheek, this song was written in the non summer of 2012, wishful thinking

Bar-b-Que summer’s here
Laugh and joke, drink the beer
Come and join the party
Summertime is here

The good times keep rolling in
Life’s a race, we can win
Sing songs around a camp-fire
Summertime is here

Clear blue skys, the weather’s fine
Harken to the church bells chime
When willow smacks the leather
Summertime is here

Bar-b-Que summertime
Toast absent friends with the wine
Winter’s but a memory
Now summertime is here

Paul Hayes – all instruments and vocals

The House Carpenter

This traditional song from Devon was collected by Sabine Baring – Gould and can also be found in the collection of Child ballads.

I once could have married an house carpenter
And she would have married me
I refused to wear the golden crown
All on account of you

If you didn’t marry the kings daughter
Then it’s you who are to blame
For I am married to an house carpenter
And a fine young man is he

Oh will you forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me
I’ll take you where the grass grows green
Along the banks of the Dee

What have you got to maintain me upon
To keep me from slavery
Why I have seven ships they’ll soon be at land
Then yours shall be there command

She picked up her sweet little babe
Gave him kisses one, two, three
Said stay, stay at home my darling little babe
Keep your dear father good company

Then she went and dressed all in her very best
All in her very best, like a high born lady looked she
She shimmered and shimmered as she proudly walked
Along the banks of the Dee

They hadn’t been sailing but a few short days
About two or three maybe four
When this pretty maid she began to weep
Her weeping went on for ever more

Oh are you weeping for your house carpenter
Or are you weeping for your store
No I’m weeping for my babe, my sweet little babe
Whom I will see no more

They hadn’t been sailing about three weeks
I’m sure it was not four
The ship hit a rock and to the bottom of the sea
Sank to rise no more

See the bright light of heaven my dear
See the angels come and go
Now see the burning coals of hell my dear
That’s where you you and I must go

I once could have married a kings daughter
And she would have married me

David Jacob – Fiddle
Paul Hayes – all other instruments and vocals

The Magic Looking Glass

A song I wrote based upon the Spanish children’s story about the king of Spain’s search for a suitable wife

Find for me a wife the king he proclaimed
Find for me a wife said the king of Spain
Pure of heart, mind and body
Pure in thought, word and deed
Ring out the bells in towns and cities
Ring out the bells o’er the country side

Chorus:
Through the looking glass, your soul is laid bare
Through the looking glass, your soul seen

There was lying and cheating, scheming, plotting
Lying and cheating in the Spanish court
For to get their hands on the fortune
For to get a piece of the crown
So the kings barber he was entrusted
The kings barber he would find the bride

Chorus:

The barber’s glass it held magic
The barber’s glass as a stain would show
Should any maiden be unsuited
Should any maiden not be pure
So who will be the first for to venture
Who will be the first for to try

Chorus:

The barber he rested in his duty
The barber he rested at an inn
Not one maiden had he convinced
Not one maiden would take the test
Gaze in the mirror show their beauty
Gaze in the mirror win the prise

Chorus:

After many moons of travelling and trying
After many moons came a country maid
Prepared to test the mirror’s magic
Prepared to be the queen of Spain
In her hand she held the mirror
In her hand did she hold the crown

Chorus:

Reflected back only her beauty
Reflected back not a trace of stain
Here is the main who is well suited
Here is the maid to be queen of Spain
Ring out the bells in towns and cities
Ring out the bells o’er the countryside

Chorus:

David Jacob – Fiddle
Emilly Frank Hayes – Vocals
Richard Sellen – Electric Guitar