O who will o'er the downs so free - Pearsall, Robert

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""The words of this song are written in allusion to an event supposed to have taken place in the neighbourhood of Winterborne, in Gloucestershire. One Hickenstirn (or Hickery Stirn, as he is called by the common people), who lies buried in the church there, is said to have been a knight who lived by pillage. He fell in love with a neighbour's daughter, won her affections, was refused by her parents; but, with the assistance of his friends, carried her off from her father's house. Such events were not uncommon in the middle ages.""

⌛ Period → Romantic ◈ Genre → Partsongs

♯ Key C major

⁄ Time Signature 4/4

♬ Voicing → SATB, ATTB, TTBB

◆ Difficulty

Beginner

↕ Range G2 – A4

¶ Language → English

Measures 55

Texture mixed texture

Parts 4

Instruments A cappella

Pages 4

CPDL # 56100

Editor James Gibb

Posted 2019-11-27

License CPDL License

♫Pitch Ranges

Alto

B3 – A4

Tenor I

G3 – F4

Tenor II

E3 – C4

Bass

G2 – A3

¶Lyrics / Text

O who will o'er the downs so free O who will with me ride, O who will up and follow me To win a blooming bride? Her father he has lock'd the door, Her mother keeps the key, But neither door nor bolt shall part My own true love from me. I saw her bow'r at twilight grey, 'Twas guarded safe and sure, I saw her bow'r at break of day, 'Twas guarded then no more! The varlets they were all asleep And none was near to see The greeting fair that passed there Between my love and me. I promis'd her to come at night With comrades brave and true, A gallant band with sword in hand To break her prison through. I promis'd her to come at night She's waiting now for me, And ere the dawn of morning light I'll set my true love free.