Lamorna (folk song)

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Lamorna is a traditional folk song associated with Cornwall, and dealing with the courtship of a man and a woman , who turned out to be his wife. There seems to be some evidence that a similar song exists titled Pomona which originates from Manchester in the north of England. It is not clear which is the earliest version.

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[edit] History

The song is believed to date from the Victorian/Edwardian eras but gained popularity in the 1960's.

[edit] Usage

Often sung at Cornish folk clubs or by Cornish male voice choirs. Versions of the song have been recorded by Brenda Wootton, The Yetties, and The Spinners on the album- ('All Day Singing') (1977).

[edit] Lyrics

Lamorna

So now I'll sing to you, about a maiden fair,
I met the other evening at the corner of the square.
She had a dark and roving eye, she was a charming rover,
And we rode all night, through the pale moonlight
away down to Lamorna.

Chorus
Twas down in Albert square
I never shall forget,
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
and the evening it was wet, wet, wet.
Her hair hung down in curls,
she was a charming rover,
And we rode all night,
through the pale moonlight,
away down to Lamorna.

As we got in the cab, I asked her for her name,
And when she gave it me, well, mine it was the same,
So I lifted up her veil, for her face was covered over,
And to my surprise, it was my wife,
I took down to Lamorna.

Chorus

She said, I know you now, I knew you all along,
I knew you in the dark, but I did it for a lark,
And for that lark you'll pay, for the taking of the donah:
You'll pay the fare, for I declare,
away down to Lamorna.

Chorus

[edit] Notes

  • It is claimed that the Albert Square in the song was a place in Penzance now called Albert street. There are claims by the folk group "The Yetties" ,that Albert square was in fact in Manchester and the place was Pomona Docks.
  • The cab referred to in the song would have been a horse drawn cab.
  • donah in verse 3 is pronounced 'doe-na' is Polari slang for a woman.
  • Some versions of the song interchange roved with rode both versions are acceptable.
  • "they rode all night" comes from the habit of couples hiring a cab with curtained windows so that the two could "be alone" for several hours if necessary. Women (possibly married) would disguise themselves with a veil so that they would not be recognised by their acquaintances while they picked up a young gentleman for the evening.

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