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When I Was Not But Sweet Sixteen

from My Mind From Love Being Free by Lindsay Straw

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about

Roud 5138. This is one I learned just from Jeannie Robertson; I’ve actually never come across a version sung by Lizzie. It was included on The Voice of the People, Volume 10. I was immediately obsessed with Jeannie’s emotive singing of it, which I felt was intensely sad and regretful. But Mainly Norfolk has an interesting quote from Hamish Henderson that was
included in the sleeve notes of one of Jeannie’s albums: “This song of the forsaken maiden is less tragic than most of the same type. The reproach levelled at the wanton and deceiving ploughboy lads is not without affection. The song is best known on Speyside, and, indeed, is often called Peggy on the Banks o’ the Spey.” If you listen to other versions, such as June Tabor’s, you will find it is indeed a little more emotionally ambiguous, with a verse about enjoying the company and kisses of the ploughboy lads.

lyrics

When I was not but sweet sixteen
And beauty just a-­blooming-­o.
Oh, little, little, did I think
At nineteen I’d be grieving­-o.

CHORUS:
For the ploughman lads, the gay wee lads,
They’re false and they’re deceiving-­o.
They’ll take your all and they’ll go away
And they leave their lassies grieving-­o

Oh, if I’d have known what I now know
I’d have taken my mother’s warning­-o.
And I wouldn’t be sitting by your fireside,
Crying hush­-a-­bye my baby­-o

CHORUS

Oh, hush-­a-­bye, for I’m your ma,
And lord knows where is your daddy-­o.
But I’ll take good care and I’ll be aware
Of the young men in the gloaming­-o.

CHORUS

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from My Mind From Love Being Free, released May 1, 2015

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Lindsay Straw Boston, Massachusetts

Traditional folk singer, guitarist & bouzouki player.

"Hearken(s) back to more innocent times, of Greenwich Village and pure folk." - The Living Tradition

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