Llangollen Market
"Llangollen Market" is a song from early 19th-century Wales. It is known to have been performed at an eisteddfod at Llangollen in 1858.[1]
The text of the song survives in a manuscript held by the
National Museum of Wales, which came into the possession of singer Mary Davies, a co-founder of the Welsh Folk-Song Society.[2]
The song tells the tale of a young man from the
Siobhan Owen
, Calennig and Siwsann George.
Lyrics
- It’s far beyond the mountains that look so distant here,
- To fight his country’s battles, last Mayday went my dear;
- Ah, well shall I remember with bitter sighs the day,
- Why, Owen, did you leave me? At home why did I stay?
- Ah, cruel was my father that did my flight restrain,
- And I was cruel-hearted that did at home remain,
- With you, my love, contented, I’d journey far away;
- Why, Owen, did you leave me? At home why did I stay?
- While thinking of my Owen, my eyes with tears do fill,
- And then my mother chides me because my wheel stands still,
- But how can I think of spinning when my Owen’s far away;
- Why, Owen, did you leave me? At home why did I stay?
- To market at Llangollen each morning do I go,
- But how to strike a bargain no longer do I know;
- My father chides at evening, my mother all the day;
- Why, Owen, did you leave me, at home why did I stay?
- Oh, would it please kind heaven to shield my love from harm,
- To clasp him to my bosom would every care disarm,
- But alas, I fear, 'tis distant - that happy, happy day;
- Why, Owen, did you leave me, at home why did stay?
References
- ISBN 978-1-317-33458-3.
- ISBN 978-0-7083-2358-8.
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