Died for Love - Alf Wildman (Bedf) c.1969 REC
[From recordings made at the King's Head Folk Club (MTCD356-7) from 1968-70, track 17. "Died for Love" sung by Alf Wildman. Liner notes follow.
R. Matteson 2017]
Alf Wildman bio: Alf was one of Fred Hamer's singers, from Shefford, Bedfordshire. He was born in Colesden in 1909, and had retired from farming when Fred recorded him. His repertoire of music hall and traditional songs made him a popular attraction at the local folk song clubs
A song everyone knows - even today in the right company - so it's no surprise that there are 249 Roud entries, or that 46 of these are sound recordings, encompassing almost every singer you care to think of. Closer to the truth is that everyone knows a version of it, because it's one of those songs which attracts 'floating verses' like a magnet, while being alarmingly close to countless other songs which musicologists tell us are actually different. Who cares - it's a great wallow in almost any circumstances!
Other Recordings: Sarah Porter (MTCD309-10); Jasper Smith, Amy Birch (TSCD661); Emma Vickers (EFDSS CD 002); May Bradley (MTCD349); 'Pop's' Johnny Connors (MTCD325-6); Jean Orchard (VT151CD); Viv Legg (VT153CD); Geoff Ling (VT104); Son Townsend (VT108).
Died for Love- sung by Alf Wildman of Shefford, Bedfordshire at the King's Head Folk Club on February 25, 1970.
There is a tavern in yonder town
Where my poor boy goes and sits himself down.
He pulls a strange girl on his knee,
Now don't you think that's a grief to me?
A grief, a grief, and I'll tell you why;
Because she's got more gold than I.
But gold will waste and beauty will fly
Then, poor girl, she'll come like me at last.
He courted me when my apron tied low,
He followed me through the frost and snow,
And now it ties beneath my chin
He passes by and he say nothing.
Now all you maidens be advised by me,
Never let a stranger take you on his knee.
He'll kiss and cuddle and swear to be true,
And the very next moment he'll bid you adieu.
I'm tired and weary of all this grief,
For a false young man is worse than a thief;
A thief will rob you, then run away,
But a false young man, he'll lead you astray.
There is a blackbird in yonder tree,
They say 'tis blind and cannot see.
I wish it had been so by me,
Before I met my love's company.
Then dig my grave and dig it deep.
Put a marble stone at my head and feet,
And a red rose bush in the middle of me,
For I loved that lad but he never loved me.