Tarry trowsers (Volkslieder (Folksongs), set by G. Butterworth) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


 One fine morning as I was walking,
 The weather being bright and clear,
 I overheard a tender mother,
 Talking to her daughter dear.

 "Daughter, I would have you marry,
 No longer lead a single life."
 "O no," said she, "I'd rather tarry,
 For my jolly sailor bright."

 "Sailors they are given to roving,
 Into foreign parts they go;
 Then they leave you broken-hearted,
 Full of sorrow, grief and woe."

 "Mother, would you have me wed a farmer,
 Take from me my heart's delight!
 Give me the lad whose tarry tarry trowsers
 Shine to my eyes like diamonds bright."

Authorship

Volkslieder (Folksongs)

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

George Sainton Kaye Butterworth (1885-1916)

Folk Songs from Sussex

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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