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When a man's in love

from Traces by Chris Foster

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about

A beautiful night visiting song. Courting was never straightforward. I first heard this song 40 or more years ago, sung by Paddy Tunney on a vinyl album called if memory serves me correctly Songs of Courtship. I recorded it on my first vinyl album, 'Layers' for Topic Records in 1977. I've been singing it ever since and decided to record it again.

lyrics

When a man’s in love he feels no cold, like me not long ago.
Like a hero bold, to see his girl, he’ll plough through frost and snow.
The moon she gently shed her light along my dreary way.
Until I came to that sweet spot where all my treasure lay.

I knocked at my love’s window saying “My dear are you within.”
And softly she undid the latch and slyly I slipped in.
Her hand was soft and her breath was sweet, her tongue did gently glide.
I stole a kiss, it was no miss and I asked her to be my bride.

“And take me to your chamber love. Take me to your bed.
Take me to your chamber love, to rest my weary head.”
“To take you to my chamber love, my parents they won’t agree,
but sit you down by yon bright fire and I will sit close by thee.”

“Many’s the time I’ve courted you against your father’s will,
but you never once said that you would be my bride, so now my dear sit still.
Tonight I am going to cross the sea to far Columbia’s shore
and you will never, never see your youthful lover more.”

“And many’s the dark and stormy night I came to visit you.
Whether tossed about by cold winter winds or wet by the morning dew.
Tonight our courtship is at an end, between my love and me.
So fare the well my favourite girl, a long farewell to thee.”

“And are you going to leave me now, pray what can I do?
I would break through every bond of love to go along with you.
Perhaps my parents won’t forget, but maybe they will forgive.
For from this hour I am resolved along with you to live.”

credits

from Traces, track released January 1, 1999
Chris Foster - vocal and guitar.

Arranged and produced by Chris Foster. Recorded by Ken Macpherson at Track Station Recording, Burton upon Trent.

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Chris Foster Reykjavik, Iceland

Chris Foster grew up in the south west of England. A master of his trade, he was recently described as “one of the finest singers and most inventive guitar accompanists of English folk songs, meriting legend status.” Over the past 40 years, he has toured throughout the UK, Europe, Canada and the USA. He has recorded six solo albums as well as working on many collaborative projects. ... more

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