This song is one of the "Child Ballads" Francis James Child was a Harvard professor of English but is better known as the collector of 305 English and Scottish ballads and their American equivalents. Many of the songs in his collection have many variations in Britain, Ireland and North America so the collection in effect amounts to a lot more than just 305 songs. The Child Ballads were published in five volumes between 1882 and 1898.
i'll sit and mourn all on her grave for twelve months and a day. how many still keep up this mourning period. i still grieve for luke nearly 31 years after he left us as i am sure many others do.mind u this year and a day is only for spouse, fiances. luke will be loved and mourned forever. r.i.p. legend
The wind doth blow today my love
A few small drops of rain
Never have I had but one true love
In cold clay she is lain
I'll do as much for my true love
As any young man may
I'll sit and mourn all on her grave
A twelve month and a day
The twelve month and the day being gone
A voice spoke from the deep
"Who is it sits all on my grave
And will not let me sleep?"
'tis I 'tis I thine own true love
Who sits upon your grave
For I crave one kiss from your sweet lips
And that is all I seek
"You crave one kiss from my clay cold lips
But my breath is earthy strong
Had you one kiss from my clay cold lips
Your time would not be long."
My time be long, my time be short
Tomorrow or today
May God in heaven have all my soul
But I'll kiss your lips of clay
"See down in yonder garden green
Love where we used to walk
The sweetest flower that ever grew
Is withered to the stalk"
"The stalk is withered dry my love
So will our hearts decay
So make yourself content, my love
Till death calls you away"
This is by far the best stuff I've ever heard!!! you irish guys can be really proud of that magnificent traditional music and singers you have (and had)!! oh and thanks a lot to kellyoneill for sharing it, otherwise I probably would have never got to hear all these songs by luke! Kisses from Austria!
Well, Im 18 and live in Sweden. I have the same scenaro, my parents had only heard about the Dubliners before I started to explain, now all in my family listen to them :)
I also plays banjo, and the only songs I can play is Lukes songs :)
R.I.P Luke
