I just listened to this song by the Irish group Dervish. I love the lyrics. The music is haunting. It’s the perfect fairy tale. I love the practicality that this woman deals with sickness, loneliness, and death of a loved one,
“If he’s sick, I will wish him better
If he’s dead, I will wish him rest
But if he’s alive, I will wait upon him.”
I’m not sure I’d have such aplomb.
There was a maid in her father’s garden by Dervish
There was a maid in her father’s garden
And a gentleman, he came passing by
He stood awhile to gaze upon her
And he said, “Fair maid, would you fancy I?”
“But I’m not a lady, I’m a poor girl
A poor man’s daughter of low degree
Therefore, young man, find some other sweetheart
For your servant maid I’m not fit to be
It’s seven years since I had a true love
Seven more since I did him see
And seven more I will wait upon him
But if he’s alive, he’ll come back to me
If he’s sick, I will wish him better
If he’s dead, I will wish him rest
But if he’s alive, I will wait upon him
He’s the only young man I do love best”
“It’s seven years since you had a true love
Seven more since you did him see
And seven more you will wait upon him
Perhaps that young man you ne’er will see”
He put a hand down in his pocket
His gentle fingers, they were thin and small
And up between them he pulled a gold ring
And when she saw it, she down did fall
He picked her up all in his arms
And gave her kisses most tenderly
Saying, “I’m your true love and single sailor
Who came o’er the sea for to wed with thee”
“If you’re my true love and single sailor
Your gentle features, they look strange to me
But seven years makes great alterations
O’er the raging seas between you and me”
There was a maid in her father’s garden
And a gentleman, he came passing by
He stood awhile to gaze upon her
And he said, “Fair maid, would you fancy I?”