Bramble Briar from Nightjar by Liz Overs
Learnt from the singing of A L Lloyd (Great British Ballads Not included in The Child Collection recorded with Ewan MacColl)
I chose this because it refers to Birling Gap, my favourite local haunt and swimming spot since childhood. I've never found a song that references the place before and recorded this before I started working with Neill. The song felt like a signpost to him, but now when I think about it, so much folk music history leads to his family. Recorded live in the studio.
Since I wrote these notes I've read the history on Mainly Norfolk. I think this must have been updated recently as I don't remember seeing it when I looked at the song. In any event, it seems I was wrong and a little over excited about the placement of the song, that it possibly refers to a 'Lord Burlington' as the Burling Gap. Whatever its history, it's an interesting example of historical male dominance of female relatives and their choices.
Tracklist
| 4. | Bramble Briar | 3:19 |
Lyrics
In Birling Gap lived a rich merchant
Who had two sons and one daughter dear
By day and night they were contriving
To fill their sister’s heart with fear
One night, one night of restless slumber
One brother rose up from his bed
He heard a servant court their sister
He heard they had a mind to wed
Dear brothers, brothers why do you whisper
And what’s become of that serving man?
We’ve lost him where he’s been a hunting
We’ve lost him where he’ll never be found
Don’t weep for me my own dear jewel
And don’t you mourn and don’t you cry
Go over the hills and the lofty mountains
And in the bramble briar my body you’ll find
Dear sister, sister why do you whisper
And won’t you tell us where you’ve been
Stand up, stand up you are deceitful
My love and me you both have slain
Now to avoid all shame and anger
These brothers sailed across the waves
The wind did blow and the storm did thunder
And the raging sea did prove their grave
Credits
License
All rights reserved.
Liz Overs is a songwriter and singer of traditional Folk.
Her recent history includes writing and singing with Chalk Horse Music and she presented Mostly Folk for five years, a monthly radio show with a primary focus on the traditions, social history, folklore and folk music of Sussex.
Liz's solo album Nightjar is released later this year.