We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Lasses from Banyan

from Songs by Ed, Will and Ginger

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £0.50 GBP  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

We learned this song from an 83 year old fellow, who had a 20 year old son.

His father used to sing him this song, and perhaps the chain continues backward. George had a constant tear in his eye as he sung, although he did laugh wickedly at 'hook & a goat & a cow' (sung "ook, n koat, n ah gow").

George made us dinner, thick sliced white with marge, a slab of corned beef on top. We were slightly dismayed by this choice of fare, thinking it processed and unhealthful, but when he brought it to table, and set it down with hospitable pride, it was transformed into a feast of golden proportions. So we were well-fed.

This song is rarely busked, as it is so middle-folk, so strangely of its era, and almost alien in the belief systems it exhibits. It is difficult for modern audiences. It is almost psychedelic, but also a bit boring. It tells of an age when the family bed was something to be treasured, and passed on. People in modern Britain have more trouble disposing of old beds than in acquiring new ones.

Anyroad. It's Will's favorite song on the album, to sing. He hopes you learn and like it too.

lyrics

There were two lovely lasses from banyan, from banyan, from banyan,
There were two lovely lasses from banyan,
And I am the best of them all,
O and I am the best of them all,

And my father has 40 white shillings, shillings, shillings,
And my father has 40 white shillings,
And an hook and a goat and a cow,
And a hook and a goat and a cow.

And my mother she says I can marry, marry, marry,
And my mother has said I can marry,
And she’ll leave me her bed when she dies.

And I’m sending my dress to the menders, menders, menders,
And I’m sending my shoes to the menders,
And my petticoat to be dyed green,

And tomorrow morning I shall meet him, meet him, meet him,
And tomorrow morning I shall meet him,
And I shall be dressed like a queen,
O, and I shall be dressed like a queen.

credits

from Songs, released January 1, 2010

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

A Walk Around Britain image

A Walk Around Britain UK

Wayfaring songs from journeys on foot around Britain.

With Ed, Will & Ginger. And others.

contact / help

Contact A Walk Around Britain

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like A Walk Around Britain, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now