THE NIGHTINGALE
(Traditional)

Notes

A song with a history dating back to the 17th century! We were on a highly interesting historic trip in unearthing some information about this traditional tune. What didn't make the task easier is the fact that there is another rather old song with the title "The Nightingale" which is completely different which tells the story of a maid whose love "was a rich farmers son".
 
The song has gone through a lot of changes, text-wise, through the centuries, until becoming as it is known today. Considering this aspect, the tune can be traced way back to 1675 (yes, 1675). Over the years, it has appeared under different titles: "The Nightingale", "The Nightingale's Song", "The Soldier's Rare Musick And Maid's Recreation". As the latter it was printed by W. Olney of London in 1675, where also was noted that it should be sung to the tune of "No, No, Not I" or "Peggy And The Soldier". The explanation to the song said back then: "The Song adviseth Maidens have a care, and of a Souldiers knap-sack to beware". We stumbled across an highly sophisticated examination somewhere (we really can't remember where, sorry) and there it was explained that the soldier's "fiddle" which plays such a merry tune very well could be understood as a very sexual implication - the lyrics back from 1675 and their difference to what is sung nowadays may underline that assumption; but you can judge yourself, as we have added the original lyrics at the bottom of the page. If you want to dig even deeper, you should visit Bruce Olson's fantastic website about tons of old songs.  
Today, there are several other versions of the song next to the well-known Irish one. You can find the one here and an "americanized" text (mostly replacing place names, using Mexico instead of India and the like) under the title The Wild Rippling Waters on Mudcat Cafe.

Lyrics

As I went a walking one morning in May
I spied a young couple who fondly did stray
One was a young maid so sweet and so fair
And the other was a soldier and a brave grenadier

[/Chorus]
And they kissed so sweet and comforting as they clung to each other
They went arm in arm along the road like sister and brother
They went arm in arm along the road til they came to a stream
And they both sat down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing
[Chorus/]

From out of his knapsack he took a fine fiddle
And he played her such a merry tune that you ever did hear
He played her such merry tunes that the valleys did ring
And softly cried the fair maid hear the nightingale sing

[Chorus]

"Oh soldier, oh soldier, will you marry me?"
"Oh no", says the soldier, "however can that be?"
For I have a wife at home in my own country
And she is the sweetest little thing that you ever did see

[Chorus]

Now I'm off to India for seven long years
Drinking wines and strong whiskey instead of cool beers
And if ever I return again it will be in the spring
And we'll both sit down together love to hear the nightingale sing

[Chorus]

Original lyrics

As I went forth one Sun-shining Day,
A dainty young Couple were gathering May;
The one a fair Damosel of beauty most clear,
The other a Souldier, as it doth appear.

With kisses and compliments, to her he said
Good morrow sweet honey thou well favour'd Maid,
I think my self happy, I met with you here
As you are a Virgin, and I a Souldier.

And now if you pleased be, I will you bring,
Wheras you shall hear the sweet nightingale sing:
With other rare pastimes, my skill shall be try'd
If you will walk with me, to the merry green-wood side.

Sweet Sir (said the Damosel) If you will do so,
Then hand in hand with you, along I will go,
It is recreation for maids in the Spring,
To see Flowers grow, and hear the Nightingale sing.

And having thus spoken, together they went,
Unto the merry green-wood, where some time they spent,
In walking and talking, of many an odd thing,
But yet could not hear the Nightingale sing.

A danty clear river, was running them by,
A Bank of sweet Violets, and Primroses nigh:
Then said the young Gallant, sit down by this spring,
We'l here take our pleasure till the Nightingale sing.

The Maid seem'd unwilling, and said she'd be gone,
And yet she was loath for to leave him alone,
At last she resolved her self to the thing,
To stay till they heard, the sweet Nightingale sing.

Amongst the sweet flowers they Straightway sat down,
The young-man in kindness, gave her a green Gown,
He also presented to her a Gold Ring,
'Cause she should stay there, till the Nightongale sing.

And having thus done, he took her about the middle,
And forth of his Knap-sack, he pull'd a fare Fiddle,
And plaid her a fit, made the Vallies to ring,
Oh now (quoth she) I hear the Nightingale sing.

Then now said the Souldier 'tis time to give ore,
Nay prithee (quoth she) play me one Lesson more:
I like both the setting, and tuning the string,
Far better than hearing the Nightingale sing.'

He struck up his musick, unto a high strain,
And plaid the tune over again and again:
Gramercy brave Souldier (quoth she) that did bring
Me hither to hear the rare Nightingale sing.

Their sport being ended, then homeward they went,
Each one thought the time to be very well spent:
It was quoth the Damosel, a very rare thing,
Whilst thou play'd thy part, to hear the Nightingale sing.

At last with a deep sigh, these words spake she,
I pray thee good Souldier wilt thou marry me:
Else my hasty pleasure, sweet Sorrows will bring,
And I may repent I heard the Nightingale sing.

Oh no, quoth the Souldier, I may not do so,
Along with my Captain, to morrow I must go,
But if I come this way, again the next Spring,
We'll walk once more to hear the sweet Nightingale sing.

You Maides of the City, and Country that be,
Addicted to pleasure, take warning by me,
Let no flattering Young-man tempt ye to this thing,
To go to the wood to hear the Nightingale sing.

Make bargain before hand, for fear you miscarry,
Know whether or no they are minded to marry:
If I had been wise, and I had done such a thing,
I need not repent I heard the Nightingale sing.