We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Brown Adam (Child 98)

from Blood & Roses Volume 5 by Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger

/

about

Unlike Peter Buchan's 42-stanza version of this ballad, ours is a simple tale told without embellishment. Brown Adam is a banished man; We are not told the reason for his banishment, nor do we need to know. The story deals with an isolated incident and the small cast of characters fulfil their appointed tasks like the figures in a mediaeval tapestry. The fairy-tale-like mood of the story is maintained right up until the final line of the song, when it is suddenly shattered by a single act of violence.

lyrics

O, wha would wish the wind tae blaw,
And the green leaves fa' therewith? fall
And wha would wish a lealer love
Than Brown Adam, the smith?

His hammer's o' the beaten gowd
His study's o' the steel,
His fingers white are my delight,
He blaws his bellows weel.

But they've banished him, Brown Adam,
Fae his faither and his mither,
They hae banished him, Brown Adam
Frae his sister and his brither.

They hae banished him, Brown Adam,
Fae the flooer o' a' his kin;
And he's biggit a bower on yon burn side
To haud his lady and him.

Then it fell oot upon a day
He rose up wi' the sun;
And he is tae the greenwood gane
To hunt for venison.

Wi' his bent bow ower his shouther
And his sword intil his haund;
He has gane tae the gay green wood
As fast as he could gang.

He's shot the hare upon the hill
And the bird upon the briar;
And sent them tae his ain true love
Bade her be o' good cheer.

O; he's shot up and he's shot doon
The bird upon the thorn,
And sent it tae his ain true love
Sayin' he'd be hame the morn.

And when he cam' tae his lady's bower,
He stood a while forbye;
And there he hard a fause knicht
A-tempting his lady.

This knicht's ta'en oot a gay gold ring,
Worth guineas mair than ten;
Says, Grant me love for love, lady,
And this shall be your ain.
I lo'e Brown Adam weel, she said
And I ken that he loves me,
And I wad nae gie Brown Adam's love
For a knicht as fause as thee.

This knicht's ta'en oot a purse o' gowd,
Was fu' richt tae the string;
Grant me love for love; lady,
And this shall be your ain.

I lo'e Brown Adam weel, she said,
And I ken that he loves me;
And I wouldnae be your licht leman
For a' that ye could gie.

Then he's ta'en oot his lang, lang sword
And held it tae her e'en;
Grant me love for love, lady,
Or through ye this will gang.

The lady grat and sighed fu' sair,
Brown Adam tarries lang!
Then up it starts Brown Adam,
Sayin', I'm here, lass at your hand.

He's made him leave his bow, his bow,
And he's made him leave his brand;
He's gart him leave a better pledge;
Four fingers of his right hand.

credits

from Blood & Roses Volume 5, released September 14, 1986
Ewan MacColl - vocals

Produced by Calum MacColl
Engineered by Nigel Cazaly

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Ewan MacColl image

Ewan MacColl London, UK

This site is maintained by the MacColl family, aiming to make Ewan's catalogue available to download.
Ewan MacColl is known to most as a songwriter and singer, but he was also of significant influence in the worlds of theatre and radio broadcasting. His art reached huge numbers through the folk clubs, greater numbers through his recordings and untold millions through the radio. ... more

contact / help

Contact Ewan MacColl

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Ewan MacColl recommends:

If you like Ewan MacColl, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now