Lewis Jones: Created page with "No. 34. The Sprig of Thyme Although this and the preceding song probably spring from the same root, it is, I think, quite possible to distinguish them, both tunes and words...."

2018-10-30T21:57:00Z

Created page with "No. 34. The Sprig of Thyme Although this and the preceding song probably spring from the same root, it is, I think, quite possible to distinguish them, both tunes and words...."

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No. 34. The Sprig of Thyme

Although this and the preceding song probably spring from the same root, it is, I think, quite possible to distinguish them, both tunes and words. The ''Sprig of Thyme'' is, I imagine, the older of the two. Its tone is usually modal, very sad and intense, and somewhat rugged and forceful in character; while its words are abstract and reflective, and sometimes obscure. On the other hand, the words of ''The Seeds of Love'', although symbolical, are quite clear in their meaning; they are more modern in their diction, and are usually sung to a bright, flowing melody, generally in the major mode.

For other versions with words, see the ''Journal of the Folk-Song Society'' (volume ii, p. 288); ''Folk Songs from Dorset'' (p. 10); and ''Songs of the West'' (No. 7, 2d ed.).

The words in the text are those that the singer sang me, supplemented from those of other sets in my collection. I used the tune, which is in the Æolian mode, for the “Still music” in Mr. Granville Barker’s production of ''A Midsummer Night’s Dream'' (Act iv, Sc. 1).

Cecil Sharp's Note 34 (1916) - Revision history

Lewis Jones: Created page with "No. 34. The Sprig of Thyme Although this and the preceding song probably spring from the same root, it is, I think, quite possible to distinguish them, both tunes and words...."