Written in response to the traditional song When I was in my prime. A friend sings that song beautifully but Sid always felt sorry for the gardener character and decided to rewrite it from his viewpoint. It’s still unsure whether he gets the girl but at least we hear more of his story. The album version features some fine fiddling from Aaron Catlow who now plays in a great duo with Kit Hawes.
The Gardener
When my hands are in the soil and the sweat upon me
It’s then I think on my true love for she is wondrous bonnie
She’s wondrous bonnie
She is like some heather bell in her autumn colours
Though I’d not pluck her from the hill It’s me she will not follow
It’s me she’ll not follow
I will give my love a rose of the deepest colour
And I will tend it as it grows and she will want no other
She’ll want no other
Oh the pink rose that did grow to my love I could not show
For it fades as soon as it does bloom as pale as winter snow
And the violet rose that grew was far too pale a hue
I’ll give my blood to the red red rose, my fate is all in you
My fate is all in you
And the blood red rose that grew I planted faithfully
And when I did return again there stood a willow tree
There stood a willow tree
From the willow I shall weave the new shoots every year
A basket lined with a gauze so fine I’ll catch her crystal tears
I’ll catch her crystal tears
Sid Goldsmith