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Title
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Downhill of life
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Singer
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Herbert, George
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Notes
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Note 1
Williams, Alfred: Ms: 'Song popular at Kempsford and Poulton.'
Williams, Alfred: Ms / WGS: 'In the course of my enquiries I come across many songs of a moral or helpful nature, and sometimes pieces perfect in form and otherwise commendable, but which scarcely rank as folk songs. This however I admit as a folk song though it may not meet with the approbation of everyone. It is very old, having been sung in Poulton for at least a hundred years by a family of blacksmiths. Words supplied by George Herbert, the aged blacksmith, Poulton.'
Williams, Alfred: FSUT: 'I admit this as a folk song. It is old, having been sung in Poulton for at least a hundred years by a family of blacksmiths. Words supplied by George Herbert, the aged blacksmith, Poulton. Known also at Kempsfield'
Note 2
In Verse 2 Line 3 the original text read:
But at night may repose fall on me more sweetly
Note 3
A comparison of the published version of the song with this shows that it includes an additional Verse 3 with this Verse 3 becoming Verse 4. That [Gl 96] was collected in Kempsford. This is one of the few examples where it is possible to identify how Williams linked his collected versions together. That verse, which differs in print from the manuscript, is as follows:
With a porch at my door, both for shelter and shade too,
Or sunshine or rain may prevail
A small plot of ground for the use of my spade too,
And a barn for the use of my flail;
A cow for my dairy, a dog for my game
A purse when a friend wants to borrow
I'll not envy a Nabob his riches or fame
Or what honours may wait him tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow,
Or what honours may wait him tomorrow
There is, in addition to Williams fair copy, another sheet which may be in the hand of George Herbert.
Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2010.
