“Pleasant and Delightful”

Description

On a "pleasant and delightful" midsummer's morn, a sailor bids farewell to his true love. She gives him a token, and begs to come along with him. He forbids it, but promises that they will be wed "if ever I return again."

Notes

This song shares many similarities with "Farewell, Charming Nancy" [Laws K14]; it is not impossible that they have a common ancestor. But the degree of difference is now so large that, until an intermediate version shows up, I must regard them as separate. - RBW

Cross references

Broadsides

  • Bodleian, 2806 c.18(276), "The Sailor and his Truelove" ("As a young sailor and his truelove one morning in May"), J. Jennings (London), 1790-1840; also Firth c.12(147), Harding B 17(266b), "Sailor and his Truelove"

Recordings

  • Sam Larner, "Happy and Delightful" (on SLarner02)
  • Cyril Poacher, "A Sailor and His True Love" (on Voice02)

References

  1. DT, PLESDELT*
  2. Roud #660
  3. BI, DTplesde

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: before 1841 (broadside, Bodleian 2806 c.18(276))
Found in: Britain(England)