The Broom of Cowdenknowes (Thomas Billington)
Music files
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- (Posted 2021-10-04) CPDL #66046:
- Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2021-10-04). Score information: A4, 2 pages, 58 kB Copyright: CC BY SA
- Edition notes: Includes a keyboard reduction of the a cappella choral score. Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.
General Information
Title: The Broom of Cowdenknowes
Composer: Thomas Billington
Lyricist: Anon
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Glee
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: c.1788
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
How blithe I was each morn to see
My swain come o'er the hill;
He leaped the brook and flew to me,
I met him with good will.
O the broom, the bonny, bonny broom,
The broom of Cowdenknowes,
I wish I were with my dear swain,
With his pipe and my ewes.
Hard fate, that I must banished be,
Gang heavily and mourn,
Because I loved the kindest swain
That ever yet was born.
O the broom ...
I wanted neither ewe nor lamb
While his flock near me lay;
He gathered in my flock at night,
And cheered me all the day.
O the broom ...
He tuned his pipe and played so sweet,
The birds sat list'ning by;
E'en the dull cattle stood and gazed,
Charmed with the melody.
O the broom ...
Adieu, ye Cowdenknowes, adieu,
Farewell all pleasures there;
Ye gods, restore me to my swain
Is all I crave or care.
O the broom ...