Lovely Joan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lovely Joan is a traditional English folk song (Roud #592), and the tune to which it is sung. Its melody is most familiar to modern audiences as the counterpoint tune used in British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams's Fantasia on "Greensleeves".
[edit] Lyrics
The words to "Lovely Joan," as printed in The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs, are as follows:
- A fine young man it was indeed,
- He was mounted on his milk-white steed;
- He rode, he rode himself all alone,
- Until he came to lovely Joan.
- "Good morning to you, pretty maid."
- And, "Twice good morning, sir", she said.
- He gave her a wink, she rolled her eye.
- Says he to himself, "I'll be there by and by."
- "Oh don't you think those pooks of hay
- A pretty place for us to play?
- So come with me like a sweet young thing
- And I'll give you my golden ring."
- Then he pulled off his ring of gold.
- "My pretty little miss, do this behold.
- I'd freely give it for your maidenhead."
- And her cheeks they blushed like the roses red.
- "Give me that ring into my hand
- And I will neither stay nor stand,
- For this would do more good to me
- Than twenty maidenheads," said she.
- And as he made for the pooks of hay
- She leaped on his horse and tore away.
- He called, he called, but it was all in vain
- Young Joan she never looked back again.
- She didn't think herself quite safe,
- No, not till she came to her true love's gate.
- She's robbed him of his horse and ring,
- And left him to rage in the meadows green.
Sung by C. Jay, Acle, Norfolk (R.V.W. 1908).
