Comments

Western Wind

Anyone here come across this tune?

Not sure where it comes from, but the book I'm currently trawling through for inspiration dates it to the the sixteenth century. The only lyrics given go:

"Western wind, when will thou blow? The small rain down doth rain, Christ. if my love were in my arms, or I in my bed again."

I tried looking it up here under 'tunes' with no luck, but I did find a great 1970's folk/rock version by US group Major Arcana on YT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAo8RVJbAkg

Any other links most appreciated,
Tim
http://timwhistles.blogspot.com/

# Posted on September 2nd 2011 by TimWhistles

Re: Western Wind

Try this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westron_Wynde

# Posted on September 2nd 2011 by Toppish

Re: Western Wind

Cheers Toppish!

And yet again I manage to embarrass myself! Good ol'Wikipedia - always the first call, doh!

Tim

# Posted on September 2nd 2011 by TimWhistles

Re: Western Wind

I heard a second verse somewhere. Don't know if it's original or not.

Deep and wide, the river flows
That bears my love away
But I must bide it here alone
And can not bid him stay

# Posted on September 2nd 2011 by bc_box_player

Re: Western Wind

With 'and' rather than 'or' in the last line it seems complete at that to me. A second first is a bit like carrying on after the punch-line of a joke.

# Posted on September 2nd 2011 by David50

Re: Western Wind

John Renbourn played a nice arrangement of the tune on his 1970 "Lady & the Unicorn" album.

And Maddy Prior & Tim Hart sang it on their 1971 "Summer Solstice" album.

# Posted on September 2nd 2011 by DavyR

Re: Western Wind

" Maddy Prior & Tim Hart sang it on their 1971 "Summer Solstice" album."

It is such a short track that the whole lot fits in the preview:

http://www.amazon.com/Westron-Wynde/dp/B000QOFNQG

# Posted on September 2nd 2011 by Weejie