Bedlam from Outsiders by Chris Foster
I sang this typical broadside song - of young lovers from different social classes forcibly parted by the woman’s unsympathetic parents - for many years. Then it drifted out of my repertoire. I rediscovered it when flicking through ‘The Wanton Seed’, another of Frank Purslow’s four little books, where I had originally found it.
The song was collected from Moses Blake at Emery Down, Lyndhurst, Hampshire in 1906 by George Gardiner. In days gone by it was also a common pastime for voyeurs to visit places like the Old Bethlem Hospital (the Bedlam of the title), which was located in Moorfields, London from 1675 – 1814. Hence the line ‘or have you come hither to make a fool of me’ in verse 5.
Tracklist
| 7. | Bedlam | 4:13 |
Lyrics
It was through Moorfields I rambled by myself all alone
I heard a maid in Bedlam making her sad moan
She was ringing of her tender hands and a-tearing of her hair
Crying O my cruel parents you have proved to me severe
It was all through my own true love your apprentice boy you know
You have forced him to the seas which has proved my overthrow
And this sad disconsolation which makes me to complain
Crying O shall I never see my own true love again
It was early the next morning this young sailor came on shore
He walked and he talked down alongside of Bedlam door
He overheard this fair young maid most grievously complain
I am afraid I shall never see the lad I love again
The sailor looked around him and he stood in a surprise
Then looking through a window he saw her lovely eyes
Then he gave to the porter a shining piece of gold
Saying “Show me to my wife for she’s the joy of my soul.”
Well when that the young man this young damsel he did see
He took her from her strawy bed and he set her on his knee
“O are you that young man that my father sent to sea
Or are you just come hither to make a fool of me?”
“O yes I am that young man that your parents sent to sea
And I have now come back again all for the love of thee”
“Well if it be so I can go free all my sorrows they are fled
I’ll bid adieu unto these chains and this cold and strawy bed”
Credits
Chris Foster - vocal & guitar
License
All rights reserved.
Chris Foster grew up in the south west of England. A master of his trade, he was recently described as “one of the finest singers and most inventive guitar accompanists of English folk songs, meriting legend status.” Over the past 40 years, he has toured throughout the UK, Europe, Canada and the USA. He has recorded six solo albums as well as working on many collaborative projects.