This is for the Traditional Ballad challenge. And as is traditional, it doesn't end well.
Verse
In the merry month of May
Hard by the village square
On an errand for my mistress
When first I saw you there
By the smithy you stood laughing
Your smile beguiled me so
You were tall, and broad, and handsome
But your name I did not know
Chorus
Come away with me my darling
To the greenwood, you and I
We will spend the night together
Beneath a starry sky
When the morning light comes creeping
You and I will have to part
While you must go a soldiering
You're ever in my heart
Verse
So I lingered there a little
Hoping I could catch your eye
But I dared not tarry longer
Lest I catch the mistress' ire
But when next I chanced to market
You were waiting for me there
WIth a hand and friendly smile
And a mane of flaxen hair
Chorus
Come away with me my darling
To the greenwood, you and I
We will spend the night together
Beneath a starry sky
When the morning light comes creeping
You and I will have to part
While you must go a soldiering
You're ever in my heart
Verse
All through the summer's sunshine
And through the summers' rain
We met for stolen moments
Again and yet again
Oh, my brave and loving Johnny
Come and kiss your little maid
Let us sit and talk together
Of the plans that we have laid
Chorus
Come away with me my darling
To the greenwood, you and I
We will spend the night together
Beneath a starry sky
When the morning light comes creeping
You and I will have to part
While you must go a soldiering
You're ever in my heart
Verse
My servitude would end soon
And a wedding we had planned
When my Johnny's unit called up
Under our lord's command
He covered me with kisses
Before he marched away
But none of those brave lads returned
From the fighting on that day
Chorus
Come away with me my darling
To the greenwood, you and I
We will spend the night together
Beneath a starry sky
When the morning light comes creeping
You and I will have to part
Though you are laid below the ground
You're ever in my heart
(c) Elisabeth Garber-Miller 2022
@tageule Feb 2022
A classic story, poetic lyrics and an utterly lovely melody... A beautiful ballad.
@williamjames Feb 2022
Very medieval sounding melody, works very well in this story telling format of a song. I love the way your voice kind of break at the high parts it adds so much emotion! Very touching lyrics it really encapsulates these tragic relationships well!
@davidbreslin101 Feb 2022
What a lovely, lilting tune! The rippling uke pick goes really well with the nostalgic feel of the lyrics.
@leslie333 Feb 2022
This is so pretty - love the picking. This totally fits the bill, lyrics aren't forced into the mold - sound natural. And I need a copy so I can sing it!!
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
You got all the ballad phrase in there, like tarry and greenwood and flaxen. Nice delivery and a really good write in the tradition.