Macidol Mac music community

Song Information:

Robert came upon this poem and thought it would make a great folk song.

Caroline Norton lived in Victorian England where a married woman was considered to be little more than the property of her husband with a lack of civil rights that would now be considered completely unacceptable. She had a husband who beat her, deserted her, deprived her of her children and took away her money but despite all this she managed to help change the laws of England to give married women at least a few basic human rights that had been denied to them before. She also wrote some exceedingly beautiful poetry but, for reasons which hardly need explanation, most of it was completely forgotten. Perhaps we can redress that!

Song Lyrics:

The Crooked Sixpence
by Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Sheridan Norton

TAKE then back your foolish token,
Since it cannot change like you;
When I feel my heart is broken,
Shall it still proclaim you true?
When you gave it, you besought me
Never from that pledge to part:
If I am what then you thought me,
You have spurned an honest heart!

Chorus:
When, far hence, the boisterous billows
Rage upon the stormy deep;
And your landsmen press their pillows,
Careless how we sailors sleep:
Think how happy you had made him -
Think how grieved he was to part; -
Who, though harshly you upbraid him,
Loved ye, with an honest heart!

Farewell, Nancy, but if ever
Eyes you love grow gloomy, then,
Oh! remember, though we sever
You have still a friend in Ben.
Yes; dear girl, he'll still defend you;
And some comfort 'twill impart,
Aid of any sort to lend you
Though you broke an honest heart!

Chorus

(c)2004 RC Andrews Music