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Wiltshire Community History

Folk Song Information

Book Title

Author

Date

Notes

Song Title	Ere around the huge oak
Roud No.	1251
Collected From	Cook, Henry
Location	Arlington
County	Gloucestershire
Collected By	Williams, Alfred
Alternative Title
Tune
Date
Source Primary	WSRO: 2598/36 Packet 2 - Gloucestershire: Williams, A: MS collection No Gl 42
Source Secondary	Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 23rd June, 1916, p 3, Part 34, No. 4: Williams, A: Folk songs of the Upper Thames, 1923 p 83
Recording

Song Lyrics
Verse 1 Ere around the huge oak, that overshadows yon mill, The fond ivy had dared to entwine, Ere the church was a ruin, that nods on the hill, Or a rook built its nest on the pine. Verse 2 Could I trace back the time, a far, distant date, Since my forefathers toiled in this field; And the farm I now hold on your honour's estate, Is the same which my grandfather tilled. Verse 3 He, dying, bequeathed to his son a good name, Which unsullied, descended to me; For my child I've preserved it, unblemished with shame, And it still from a spot shall be free.

Print Song Lyrics

Notes
Note 1 Williams, Alfred: Ms / WGS / FSUT: 'This I first heard at Lechlade, which as I have said before, once abounded in old songs. The copy I obtained of Henry Cook, Arlington, Bibury. I do not think it is quite complete.' Note 2 The manuscript contains two names crossed out. One is Henry Cook, Arlington, the other is Mrs Gosling, Lechlade, who therefore, may be his other source. Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2010.