“All Things Are Quite Silent”
Description
The singer's lover is taken from their bed by a pressgang; she begs them to spare him but they refuse. She laments, remembering the joys of their life together, but says she will not be downcast, as someday he may return.
Notes
"...by [1835] the system of impressment had almost faded out, although it was never actually abolished by Act of Parliament." -- A. L. Lloyd
Lloyd reports this as the only known version of the song. - PJS
Cross references
- cf. "The Lowlands of Holland" (theme)
References
- Vaughan Williams/Lloyd, p. 13, "All Things Are Quite Silent" (1 text, 1 tune)
- DT, THNGSLNT*
- Roud #2532
- BI, VWL013