In 1990 I was living in Galway, Ireland. I found a cassette tape in the flat I was renting, and I swear the tape said Ossian on it, but I’ll never know for sure because I lost it in my move back to the US. There was a haunting song on it, sort of medium tempo, with these lyrics: "I was a young man, I was a rover, nothing would satisfy me in life, soon as I reached the age of 20, weary grew I of the single life. The very first day that we was married , out of her company I could not stay . Her voice was as sweet as a lark or a linnett, or a nightangle on the braek of day. "
The song goes on to see the young couple was not ready to marry and they soon seperate. Any idea on the musicians who sang, played this? Brian
when I was a young man I was a rover
nothing would satisfy me but a wife
soon as I reached the age of 20
weary was I of a single life.
the very first year that I was married
out of her company I could not stay
her voice was sweet as the lark or the linnet
or a nightingale at the break of day
Now she’s fairly old and demeaning
Now she’s fairly changed her tune
nothing but scolding comes from her mouth
and the poor man’s labor is never done
the very first year that we were married
scarce could I get one half hour’s sleep
with her two heels she rubbed my shins
says husband dear put down your feet
the baby cried she bitterly scolded
down for the door I was forced to run
without trousers a wig or a waistcoat
the poor man’s labor’s never done
I went up to the top of the hill for
to view my sheep that had all gone astray
when I came back she was lying in the bed
at 12 o’clock on a winter’s day
when I came back all wet and weary
weary and wet now where could I run
she was lying in the bed the fire on beside her
she said young man put the kettle on
l’ll go o’er to my aged mother
she’ll be sitting all alone
She says there’s plenty of young women to be had now
why should I be tied to one
oh young man what it is to marry
though they’ll grief you evermore
death oh death come take my wife
and then my trouble will be o’er
Oisin recorded this song on “Traditional Irish Songs, Ballads And Instrumentals”. The recording was released by Ossian Publications, Cork, Ireland. It was originally issued on the Tara label. My cd liner notes say
that it was produced by Paul Brady and recorded in 1976.
Oisin Musicians: Geraldine McGowan; Tom McDonagh; Mick Davis; Brian McDonagh; Seamus McGowan. They released several recordings which still get played around my house.
Well gosh… I recognize the tune lyrics now… The Battlefield Band did a version of it too, on their “At The Front” album from 1978, called “The Batchelor”. I like it. I’ve not heard the one Ossian or the Cordelia’s Dad versions.
I’m pretty sure Martin Carthy recorded this sometime in the 70’s also. I can hear it in my mind with .. with a mountain dulcimer ?? behind his voice.. it was called When I Was a Young Man.
That was fast! I ordered the cd and printed the lyrics too. i ordered the Oisin from Ossian Records, and should get it soon. To think I didn’t have to wait 15 years! Brian
Lance Frodsham recorded it accompanying himself on mountain dulcimer. I have a vague recollection of Martin singing it, too, but I can’t quite place it either.
There is a very nice and short version of it on Live At Mona’s (Patrick Orceau & Eamonn O’Leary). Forget the name of the singer now, but liner notes say that he learned it off Oisin, as I recall.