Brigg Fair: a Song My Tradition-Loving Soul Must Play Every Fifth of August

Normally I play the version of this by Chanticlere, but because I'm having spacial issues in this new flat and can't unpack half my stuff until I get some shelves put up, I can't bloody well get at my f*** CDS. ('Scuse me, I'm still miffed about this, not that you could tell or anything. Hehehe.) I could sing it for you guys instead, but I don't want to cause any sudden deaths while driving or anything. ;-) So instead I'm playing a version which is almost as good asChanticlere's. It's by the Tredici Chamber Choir of London. This is a setting of a traditional English folksong. It's also the same setting Chanticlere sang on their fabulous Wondrous Love album. It was arranged by the Australian composer Percy Grainger. The lyrics are as follows: It was on the fifth of August, And the weather fine and fair, Unto Brigg Fair I did repair, for love I was inclined. I rose up with the lark in the morning, with my heart so full of glee, Of thinking there to meet my dear, long time I'd wished to see. I took hold of her lily-white hand, O and merrily was her heart: "And now we're met together, I hope we ne'er shall part". For it's meeting is a pleasure, and parting is a grief, But an unconstant lover is worse than any thief. The green leaves they shall wither and the branches they shall die If ever I prove false to her, to the girl that loves not me. #choirs #folksongs #Grainger #music #tradition