[English Folk Song] A collection of classic British trad masterpieces

The Lark In the MorningAirurando min’yō

The Lark In the Morning

“The Lark in the Morning” is a folk song that has long been cherished in England.

It has been sung for generations, and many musicians have included it on records and CDs.

There are several versions of the lyrics, but most tell the story of a country boy falling in love with a girl.

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Lavender’s BlueInguranndo min’yō

Lavender’s Blue Dilly Dilly (Cinderella 2015)

It’s a famous English folk song known for its heartwarming melody.

Originally, it was a lively, slightly mature love song sung in 17th-century taverns, but over time its lyrics evolved into something sweet and child-friendly.

The way it conveys straightforward feelings by likening them to a king and queen is truly endearing.

The song gained worldwide recognition when Burl Ives performed it in the 1948 Disney film “So Dear to My Heart,” and it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1950.

It’s also well known for being covered by the British band Marillion on their album “Misplaced Childhood.” It’s perfect as background music for a calm afternoon or a leisurely day off.

I Will Give My Love An AppleInguranndo min’yō

ANÚNA : I Will Give My Love an Apple

Among English folk songs, this is a particularly charming piece known as a riddle song.

Its mysterious lyrics tickle the imagination, as the singer offers their beloved things like “an apple without a core” and “a house without a door.” The song is structured so that the riddle is revealed in the latter half: it turns out to be a deeply romantic allegory about offering one’s whole self—one’s head and heart—to the beloved.

One of its appeals is the simple pentatonic melody, which further highlights the purity of that feeling.

The song has been passed down since long ago, with a record showing it was notated in Dorset in 1906.

Benjamin Britten’s arrangement is also well known, and you can hear it on the classic album Music for Voice and Guitar, performed by tenor Peter Pears and guitarist Julian Bream.

It’s the perfect piece for those who want to savor the deep affection hidden behind wordplay, or for a quiet night of reflecting on someone dear.

Early One MorningInguranndo min’yō

Early One Morning – Nana Mouskouri with lyrics

In English folk songs, there are quite a few pieces that, despite their heartwarming melodies, actually depict rather poignant stories.

This work is one of them: its theme is the lament of a maiden whose lover has had a change of heart early one morning.

At first listen the tune sounds bright, but beneath it lies the despair and helplessness of lost love—the contrast is indescribably striking (and a bit ironic).

The lyrics are said to have first appeared in print around 1787.

Sarah Brightman included the song on her debut album, The Trees They Grow So High, and from late 1978 it was also long cherished as a BBC Radio theme.

It’s a perfect piece for anyone drawn to narrative-rich music and the depth of British culture.

Adieu, AdieuInguranndo min’yō

The Watersons – Adieu Adieu

Various stories have been passed down through English folk songs, and this piece belongs to the genre known as the “Goodnight Song,” portraying the sorrowful end of a man who lived as a highwayman.

He steps onto the path of crime to save his beloved wife from poverty, only to be captured after a fleeting spell of splendor.

In his monologue before execution, one senses a quiet resolve that accepts fate alongside regret.

The distinctive rhythm, alternating between 5/4 and 3/2 time, seems to symbolize the turmoil in his heart.

The song’s origins are said to go back as far as the late 18th century, and it became widely known when the English folk group The Watersons included it on their 1975 classic album For Pence and Spicy Ale.

You can also hear Eliza Carthy’s rendition on her 1998 album Red Rice, which was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize.

It’s a perfect recommendation for nights when you want to immerse yourself deeply in a story.

Clyde’s WaterInguranndo min’yō

Nic Jones – Clyde Water

Among the ballads handed down in England and Scotland are not only heartwarming tales but also many heartrending tragedies.

A prime example is this narrative song, also known as “The Drowned Lovers.” It tells the endlessly sorrowful fate of two lovers: a young man defies his mother’s objections to go to his beloved, only to be stopped by a river and lose his life; upon learning of this, his lover follows him and throws herself into the water.

The earliest known recording was made in July 1951 by the singer John Strachan, and the song has since been passed down by many folk singers.

One of the pleasures of this piece is comparing the differing interpretations by performers—for instance, on Nic Jones’s acclaimed album Penguin Eggs and Martin Carthy’s album Skin and Bone.

Dominion of the SwordInguranndo min’yō

Martin Carthy Dominion Of The Sword

A searing satire in which brute force rules over law and speech—an unforgettable English folk song.

Originally a ballad born amid the turmoil of the 17th-century Civil War, it was revived in modern times by a titan of the British folk scene, Martin Carthy.

Set to a traditional Breton melody, the steely ring of his guitar and his spoken-like vocal delivery sharpen the song’s timeless message.

You can hear it on the album “Right of Passage,” released in November 1988.

Its selection as theme music for Shakespeare’s history play Henry VI also seems to attest to the work’s strong narrative power.

It’s a track you’ll want to sit with when you feel like contemplating society’s contradictions and the surges of history.