“Begone Dull Care”
Description
"Begone dull care, I prithee be gone from me, Begone dull care, thou and I shall never agree; long time thou hast been tarrying here, and fain though wouldst me kill...." The singer warns of how excess care can age and weary its victims
Notes
The notes in at the National Library of Scotland site claim this dates back to the reign of James II and VII (1685-1688/1689), without offering secondary evidence. The notes also report that it might be derived from a French piece. Finally, they claim it is popular. Popular it does indeed seem to have been, with broadside printers. Field collections are, however, few. - RBW
Broadsides
- NLScotland, L.C.178.A.2(256), "Begone Dull Care," unknown, c. 1860
References
- Roud #13896
- BI, BrBeDuCa