Lukas: “This is our interpretation of a traditional song that has inspired countless recordings and variations. As far as we've been able to establish this version of the song is called The Berkshire Tragedy and is one of many variations of The Two Sisters.
It's easy to confuse it with Roud 263 - another song also called The Berkshire Tragedy which also features a miller and a murder but appears to have an entirely different history!”
lyrics
A farmer lived in the West Country (with a hey-down, bow-down), a farmer lived in the West Country and he had daughters, one, two, three.
As they were walking the river’s brim (with a hey-down bow-down), as they were walking the river’s brim the eldest pushed the youngest in.
I’ll be true to my love, I’ll be true to thee, I’ll be true to my love if my love will be true to me.
Oh sister, sister, give me your hand (with a hey-down bow-down), oh sister, sister, give me your hand! I’ll give you both house and land.
Well I’ll neither give thee hand nor glove (with a hey-down bow-down), I’ll neither give thee hand nor glove unless you give me your true love...”
I’ll be true to my love, I’ll be true to thee, I’ll be true to my love if my love will be true to me.
So down she sank and away she swam (with a hey-down bow-down), oh down she sank and away she swam until she came to the miller’s dam.
Well the miller he fetched his pole and hook (with a hey-down bow-down), oh the miller he fetched his pole and hook and fished the fair maid from the brook.
I’ll be true to my love, I’ll be true to thee, I’ll be true to my love if my love will be true to me.
Oh miller I’ll give thee guineas ten (with a hey-down bow-down), oh miller I’ll give thee guineas ten if you’ll fetch me back to my father again.
The miller he took her guineas ten (with a hey-down bow-down), well the miller he took her guineas ten… pushed the fair maid in again!
I’ll be true to my love, I’ll be true to thee, I’ll be true to my love if my love will be true to me.
credits
from Findings,
released September 14, 2016
Ange Hardy (vocals, guitar), Lukas Drinkwater (vocals, guitar, double bass).
Nominated for the Horizon Award for best emerging talent at the 2015 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Ange Hardy is a folk singer,
songwriter and recording artist from West Somerset, England. Ange performs original contemporary songs written in a traditional style with an emphasis on vocal harmony....more
supported by 6 fans who also own “The Berkshire Tragedy (Roud 8)”
This is the perfect soundtrack for my journey to finding my inner peace and calm. Meditative at times, uplifting at others. I love to listen to it on a dark and dreich winter afternoon with candlelight in my bathtub after yoga. stpaulisinger
This album speaks to the continuum of African diasporic culture that is central to the vibrant canon of Americana folk music. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 29, 2020
Sweet harmonies & strummed melodies; the duo delve into decades-old folk, jazz, and country to find a timeless kind of love and connection. Bandcamp New & Notable May 23, 2018
Collaborating remotely with 12 songwriters from all over the world, Kim Edgar emerged with a work of striking art pop. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 11, 2023
supported by 5 fans who also own “The Berkshire Tragedy (Roud 8)”
Iona has the best celtic voice around...
Fully melodic. Great traditional music. Great scottish band full of promises!
200% recommended. Iona's voice will reach your heart. Greg