Apron Strings Low- Thomas Jones (Hamp) 1907 Gardiner
[My title. Fragment with music from George Gardiner Manuscript Collection (GG/1/13/827). Variant of the "Alehouse"/"Brisk Young Soldier" branch of two stanzas- one from Oxfordshire Tragedy.
R. Matteson 2017]
Apron Strings Low- sung by Thomas Jones of Portsmouth Workhouse, Hampshire on August 12, 1907. Collected by G.B. Gardiner, Charles Gambin.
When once that I wore my apron strings low,
My love followed me through frost and snow;
But now I wear them under my chin,
My love he passes by and he says nothing.
Away to the meadow this poor girl run,
Picking those flowers as fast as they sprung;
She picked and plucked of every sort,
Till at length this poor girl she broke her heart.