As a child she was always singing. Edale, in Derbyshire, was the ideal place to nurture this natural ability, with an abundance of communal song. Having played the fiddle a small amount at school, Bella attended a Folkworks Youth Summer School in Durham age 13. Motivated by the number of young people playing folk music, she was inspired to begin working on folk fiddle. She also met many of her great friends and musical companions.
Some of these new friends arranged to meet up again, and on New Year's Day a year later The Pack was formed. Initially The Pack was a way for this group of people to get free tickets to festivals. The spirited performances and complex arrangements of the 12 piece band proved a resounding success, and they went on to play many of the scene's greatest stages, including Cambridge Folk Festival main stage in 2003. In 2002, the only Pack album 12 Little Devils was released, with fRoots calling it "... a genuine feel good album. Get yours now!".
Hardy released her debut solo album Night Visiting in 2007, to critical acclaim. Mojo gave her a 4* 'Brilliant' rating, fRoots wrote "Bella Hardy is more than a new generation folk revivalist... Her potential is massive", and Taplas Magazine noted "...her debut CD solo album is a piece of wondrous beauty and inventive incisiveness". In 2008 she was nominated for the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. She was also nominated for Best Original Song the same year with Three Black Feathers, which Jim Moray went on to record on his 2008 album Low Culture.
Hardy released her second solo album In The Shadow of Mountains in 2009 at the Cambridge Folk Festival. Again it gained critical acclaim. English Dance and Song Magazine wrote "It's astounding and somewhat daunting to realise this is only Bella's second album... Surely no-one has any right to be writing songs with the sophistication of 'Sylvie Sovay', so early in their career..."
Greenwood Laddie
Bella Hardy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Traditional. Learnt as a teenager from Peter Kennedy’s ‘Folksongs of Britain and Ireland’.
If you had seen my dearest and his eyes shine the clearest
His cheeks like the red blood that's new dropped on snow
He is neat, fair and slender, and his hands soft and tender
He'll be my greenwood laddie wherever he goes
For you have no money wrapped up in your store
But the more that they slight you it’s the more I'll invite you
To be my greenwood laddie, whom I'll always adore
It's down yonder bower I've spent manys the hour
A-pulling the flowers by yon shaded shore
It was his sweetest kisses caused my fondest wishes
He'll be my greenwood laddie ‘til time is no more
If I had the wealth of the East or West Indies
Or I had the gold of the west African shore
Or if I could gain thousands, I would lie in your bosom
You'd be my greenwood laddie whom I'll always adore
You'd be my greenwood laddie, you'd be my greenwood laddie
My greenwood laddie, my greenwood laddie
"Greenwood Laddie" is a traditional folk song that speaks of love and devotion. The singer describes their beloved with admiration, focusing on their clear eyes, fair complexion, and tender hands. Despite their parents' disapproval of the beloved due to their lack of wealth, the singer expresses an unwavering commitment to be with them. The image of the "greenwood laddie" signifies a connection to nature and simplicity, emphasizing the singer's willingness to choose love and companionship over material wealth.
The lyrics also touch upon the singer's fond memories in the bower, a secluded area near a shaded shore, where they spent many hours picking flowers. It was in this intimate setting that the beloved showered the singer with sweet kisses, leading to heartfelt desires. The singer conveys a willingness to give up everything, including great wealth, to be with their beloved. The repeated phrase "my greenwood laddie" emphasizes the deep affection and loyalty they have for their partner.
Overall, "Greenwood Laddie" is a beautiful traditional folk song that celebrates love and devotion, urging listeners to prioritize emotional connections over material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
If you had seen my dearest and his eyes shine the clearest
If you had witnessed the remarkable sparkle in my beloved's eyes
His cheeks like the red blood that's new dropped on snow
His cheeks resembling the vibrant redness of freshly fallen blood on snow
He is neat, fair and slender, and his hands soft and tender
He possesses an impeccable, delicate appearance, with hands that are gentle and soothing
He'll be my greenwood laddie wherever he goes
No matter where he wanders, he will always be my beloved and companion
My parents, my darling, they slight you with scorn
Regrettably, my parents treat you with disdain, my beloved
For you have no money wrapped up in your store
Because you do not possess material wealth or treasures in abundance
But the more that they slight you it’s the more I'll invite you
Paradoxically, the more they demean you, the stronger my desire to embrace you
To be my greenwood laddie, whom I'll always adore
To be the one I cherish, my eternal greenwood laddie
It's down yonder bower I've spent manys the hour
Many hours I have spent in the distant shelter
A-pulling the flowers by yon shaded shore
Gently plucking flowers along the serene shore over there
It was his sweetest kisses caused my fondest wishes
His affectionate kisses have evoked my deepest desires
He'll be my greenwood laddie ‘til time is no more
He will remain my cherished greenwood laddie for all eternity
If I had the wealth of the East or West Indies
Even if I possessed the riches of both the East and West Indies
Or I had the gold of the west African shore
Or if I obtained the gold from the shores of Western Africa
Or if I could gain thousands, I would lie in your bosom
Or if I could amass great fortunes, I would seek solace in your embrace
You'd be my greenwood laddie whom I'll always adore
You, my beloved, would be my forever cherished greenwood laddie
You'd be my greenwood laddie, you'd be my greenwood laddie
You would hold the title of my beloved greenwood laddie
My greenwood laddie, my greenwood laddie
You are, and forever will be, my beloved greenwood laddie
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Traditional, Bella Hardy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind