I Wish, I Wish- Cecilia Costello (Birm) 1951 REC
[From Cecilia Costello "Old Fashioned Songs" (MTCD363-4). Liner notes follow. Recorded by Marie Slocombe and Patrick Shuldham-Shaw, 30.11.51. See also Penguin Book Of English Folk Songs.
R. Matteson 2017]
I Wish, I Wish- sung by Cecilia Costello. Recorded by Marie Slocombe and Patrick Shuldham-Shaw, 30.11.51
I wish, I wish, but it's all in vain,
I wish I were a maid again;
But a maid again I never shall be
Till apples grow on an orange tree.
I wish my baby it was born,
And smiling on its papa's knee,
And I to be in yon churchyard,
With long green grass growing over me.
When my apron-strings hung low,
He followed me through frost and snow,
But now my apron's to my chin,
He passes by and says nothing.
Oh grief, oh grief, I'll tell you why -
That girl has more gold than I;
More gold than I and beauty and fame,
But she will come like me again.
____________________________
Cecilia Costello (bio
24.10.1884 – 20.4.1976
Cecilia Costello (née Kelly) was born in 8, Court 2, Pershore Street, behind the Bull Ring, Birmingham, on October 24th 1884. ‘Ciss’ was the youngest of ten children- five boys and five girls. Her mother (Margaret Kelly, née Higgins), was from Galway (and said to be related to Ned Kelly, the bushranger) and her father (Edward) from Ballinasloe in County Roscommon. They moved to Birmingham, coming across, as did many, on the boats to escape the poverty and unemployment in their home land. They lived at various addresses in Birmingham: 7 Court 4, Allison Street; 6/85 Dean Place, Pershore Street; Park Street; Coventry Street; Milk Street; Great Hope Street.
Notes: It’s rather surprising that this song, made up of some of the most common floating verses in the canon, should have only 39 Roud entries, and that almost all the named singers are very well known. Most come from England and Scotland, with just a handful from Ireland and North America. Although seemingly a distinct song in its own right, I Wish, I Wish comprises a number of verses that can also be found in a group of songs which include Since Love Has Brought me to Despair(Roud 60. Laws P25) and In Sheffield Park (Roud 860). Three American versions from Madison County, NC, can be heard on the CD Dark Holler – Old Love Songs and Ballads (Smithsonian –Folkways SFW CD 40159). The songs are When I Wore My Apron Low (sung by Dellie Norton), Love Has Brought Me to Despair (sung by Berzilla Wallin) and I Wish My Baby Was Born (sung by Dillard Chandler). The version of Wish My Baby Was Born that was heard in the movie Cold Mountain was based on the Chandler set. The Carter Family recorded a version as Carter’s Blues in 1929 (reissued on JSP box set The Carter Family. 1927 – 1934. (JSPCD7701).
Other recordings available on CD: Lizzie Higgins (MTCD 337-8); George Dunn (MTCD 317-8); Walter Pardon (MTCD 305-6 and TSCD 665); Jeannie Robertson (Rounder 1720).