Sunday, March 11, 2012

Joan Baez - Michael




In the time spent in the foggy dew 
With the raven and the dove 
Barefoot she walked the winter streets 
In search of her own true love 

For she was Mary Hamilton 
And lover of John Riley 
And the maid of constant sorrow 
And the mother of the doomed Geordie 

One day by the banks of the river 
Midst tears and gossamer 
Sweet Michael rowed his boat ashore 
And came to rescue her 

And fill thee up my loving cup 
Fast and to the brim 
How many fair and tender maids 
Could love as she could then? 

For he was likened to Pretty Boy Floyd 
And also John Riley 
And a rake and rambling railroad boy 
And the Silkie of the Sule Skerry 

And there in the arms of Michael 
In their stolen hour 
Loud rang the bells of Rhymney 
From the ancient church bell tower 

And there in the night with Michael 
While he lay fast asleep 
She put her head to the window pane 
And in the fullness of love did weep 

And fill thee up my loving cup 
Fast and to the brim 
How many fair and tender maids 
Will love as she did then? 

You've heard of the House of the Rising Sun 
And what careless love can do 
You've heard of the wildwood flower 
That fades in the morning dew 

And of the ship that circles three times round 
And sinks beneath the sea 
You've heard of Barbary Allen 
And now you've heard of me 

So fill thee up my loving cup 
Fast and to the brim 
How many fair and tender maids 
Will ever love again 


.