Golden Willow Tree- Gevedon (KY) 1910 Roberts
[From: in the Pines by Roberts, 1978. ]
Notes by Roberts: The present version was turned in by Meta Back in 1961 from the singing of Jessie Gevedon, who learned it from her father in about 1910, all from Morgan County.
SCALE: Tetratonic (c, eb, e f g) Inflected scale; MODE: Authentic; RANGE: c' - c" (Perfect octave); TONAL CENTER: C; PHRASE STRUCTURE: A B C D (2,2,4, 3) unus; structure; possibly measures 7 and 8 result from undue prolongation on performer's part. MELODIC RELATIONSHIP: see the following tune (variant B): 'The Green willow Tree," set to similar text. otserve in measure 9 the E-natural in ascending line, and the E-flat in descending, a practice of musica ficts that harkens back to medieval times. Cf. NCF, IV, No. 47A. on opening and closing phrases. Note the predominant iterations of the tonic and dominant scale tones;also a touch of word painting - at least in stanza 1 - in measure 7 framing the word "low."
[music upcoming]
A. Golden Willow Tree- Gevedon (KY) 1910 Roberts
1. There was a ship went out on the sea,
It went by the name of the Golden Willow Tree,
She was sailing in low, in the lonesome low,
Sailing in the lowland sea.
2. Th.y had not sailed weeks more than two or three
Till they espied the Turkish Revalee.
She was sailing in low, in the lonesome low,
Sailing in lowland sea.
3. I'll give you money and I'll give you fee,
To my only daughter married you will be,
If you'll sink her in low, in the lonesome low,
If you'll sink her in lowland sea.
4. He turned upon his breast and away swam he,
And he swam till he came to the Turkish Revalee,
Sailing in low, in the lonesome low,
Sailing in the lowland sea.
5. Some were playing cards and some were playing dice,
And some were sitting around giving good advice,"
Sailing in low, in the lonesome low,
Sailing in the lowland sea.
6. He had an instrument, he kept it for to use,
And he made six holes, and the salt water gushed,
Sailing in low, in the lonesome low,
Sailing in the lowland sea.
7. Some with their hats and some with their caps,
Trying to stop those salty water gaps,
Sailing in low, in the lonesome low,
Sailing in the lowland sea.
8. He turned on his breast and away swam he,
And he swam tilt he came to the Gorden willow Tree,
Sailing in low, in the lonesome low,
Sailing in the lowland sea.
9. I'll not give you money and I'll not give you fee,
Nor to my daughter married you will be,
You sank her in the low, in the lonesome low,
You sank her in the lowland sea.
10. If it wasn't for the love I have for your men,
I'd serve you as I've served them,
I'd sink you in low, in the lonesome low,
I'd sink you in the lowland sea.
11. He turned on his breast and down sank he,
He bid adieu to the Golden Willow Tree,
Sailing in low, in the lonesome low,
Sailing in the lowland sea.