“Blow the Candle Out”

Description

The singer comes to visit his love on a moonlit night. She lets him in. He points out that her parents are in bed in the next room; he suggests rolling into his arms and blowing out the candles. (Nine months later, when he is gone, she has a child)

Cross references

• cf. "Dash Along" (tune, per broadside Bodleian Johnson Ballads 1279)
• cf. "Come Into My Arms" (tune, per broadside Bodleian Harding B 17(30b))

Broadsides

• Bodleian, Johnson Ballads 168, "Blow the Candle Out," J. Catnach (London), 1813-1838; also Harding B 11(335), Harding B 20(139), Firth c.18(294), Firth b.25(299), Harding B 11(336), Harding B 16(26c), Johnson Ballads 1279, Firth b.34(33), Harding B 17(30b), "Blow the Candle Out"

Recordings

• Jumbo Brightwell, "Blow the Candle Out" (on Voice10)
• Jimmy Gilhaney, "Blow the Candle Out" (on FSB2, FSB2CD)
• Martin Howley, "Blow the Candle Out" (on IRClare01)

References

1. Laws P17, "Blow the Candle Out"
2. Randolph-Legman I, pp. 61-65, "Blow the Candle Out" (2 texts, 2 tunes)
3. Combs/Wilgus 114, pp. 140-141, "The Jolly Boatsman" (1 text)
4. Kennedy 170, "Blow the Candle Out" (1 text, 1 tune)
5. OLochlainn-More 74, "Blow the Candle Out" (1 text, 1 tune)
6. Lomax-FSNA 160, "Blow the Candle Out" (1 text, 1 tune)
7. Hodgart, p.247, "Blow the Candle Out" (1 text)
8. Ord, p. 95, "Blow the Candle Out" (1 text)
9. Silber-FSWB, p. 156, "Blow The Candles Out" (1 text)
10. DT 499, CANDLOUT*
11. Roud #368
12. BI, LP17