Comments on: Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy

By: Dan Kaufman

Dan Kaufman — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:53:04 +0000

I’ve heard different versions that have the sailors either fighting FOR the crown or against it. (This version has them fighting for the crown.) I know it’s the folk process, but I’m curious whether anyone knows what the original is, or if the song refers to any specific conflict.

By: Diana

Diana — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:10:25 +0000

Where did you find a review Linda – all I found was a mentionm of a few of the songs so I pre-ordered it blind. Sure that I will enjoy same.

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:20:10 +0000

Wow that was a contrast to yesterday. Catching up after the weekend
@Diana, have pre ordered, what a write up really looking forward to Lowry. Have seats for Derby last nite of tour!!!!!

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:01:58 +0000

A lovely gentle song. Love the guitar accompaniment as well – very plaintive and not overdone. A change from the glut of killings of young maidens too.

By: John Biggs

John Biggs — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 10:38:27 +0000

Such a gentle and sincere song of parting. You really hope he makes it home o.k. and that Nancy is still waiting for him when he gets there. Of course the last line is the killer; when the money is all spent , he must go to sea once more.
I agree with Jane, that Phil Beer performs this song beautifully, in many styles, including an up beat version with the Phil Beer Band. However, Jon’s performance, and the wistful guitar makes this another of my favourites. (There are so many ! )

By: Jane Ramsden

Jane Ramsden — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 02:21:47 +0000

Still one of my favourites. Here’s a link to Show of Hands ending their concert at Sweeps Festival Rochester, May 2008, with this song and ‘Haul Away, Joe.’ The latter contains the cracking line ‘he went and got his head cut off, which spoilt his constitution.’ I wouldn’t have minded that this week with the upper respiratory tract infection!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIJhOdlAMyI

This is Phil Beer singing it on his own with guitar accompaniment instead of his fiddle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZcIvK_v3BU&feature=related

And The Copper Family themselves:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L1KfrO45tc

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:55:39 +0000

Or one of the ones where Polly drags up and goes along with Willie… or goes along on her own and never gets discovered… or goes to America dressed as a boy and never gets discovered… Or here’s a challenge: Peter Blegvad’s Shirt and Comb, a modern song with roots in the tradition:

You cannot go with me, my love
They don’t take volunteers
But there’s one thing I promise you:
Although I may be gone for many years,

No shirt shall ever touch my back
Nor comb go through my hair
But I’ll think of the bed you’re in
And wish that I were lying with you there.

By: Christopher John Bridgman

Christopher John Bridgman — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:42:23 +0000

So many songs of separation! Why not balance these out by singing the song about Willie taking Polly to the cruel wars in High Germany?

By: Jo Breeze

Jo Breeze — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:10:26 +0000

More about Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy from the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library at the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

There are 12 records of Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy in the Library, most (though not all) from the singing of the Copper family.

http://tinyurl.com/lovelynancy1

We used the Roud number to cross reference against different titles for the song. When searched on Roud No. 165, this produces 87 records, including versions collected by Cecil Sharp in Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset.

http://tinyurl.com/lovelynancy2

If you wish to see more detail on each record, change the ‘output’ to ‘record’ and press ‘submit query’.

There is one record of the song in the Francis M Collinson collection, from the singing of the Copper family.

http://tinyurl.com/lovelynancy3

We use the Roud index and the Take 6 online collections in the search for information on Jon’s selections.

For more information, or to carry out your own search for songs, please visit http://www.efdss.org/front/access-the-library-online/access-the-library-online/115

If you need any help accessing the library online or have any questions, please contact the VWML on 020 7485 2206 or library@efdss.org.

By: Glyn Adams

Glyn Adams — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:04:37 +0000

I saw James Findlay perform this at the BBC Younf Folk Awards. His is my faviorate version but its nice to hear this slower rendition. Thanks Jon.