Tabor's earliest public performances were at the Heart of England Folk Club (at the Fox and Vivian pub) in Leamington Spa in the mid 1960s. In the late 1960s an appearance at the Sidmouth Folk Festival led to folk club bookings and she contributed to various records. One of her earliest recordings was in 1972 on an anthology called Stagfolk Live. She also featured on Rosie Hardman's Firebird (1972) and The First Folk Review Record (1974). At the time she was singing purely traditional unaccompanied material but in 1976 she collaborated with Maddy Prior on the Silly Sisters album and tour, with a full band that included Nic Jones. It provided the launching pad that same year (1976) for her first album in her own right, Airs and Graces. She later joined again with Prior, this time using the name Silly Sisters for their duo. Starting in 1977 Martin Simpson joined her in the recording studio for three albums before he moved to America in 1987. (Simpson has returned from America to be a guest guitarist on albums in the 2000s.) After his departure, she started working closely with pianist Huw Warren.
In 1990, Tabor recorded an album with the folk-rock band OysterBand entitled Freedom and Rain. She went on tour with OysterBand, and the Rykodisc label published a limited-run promotional live album the following year. Many of her current fans first discovered her through this tour and album with the OysterBand. In 1992 Elvis Costello wrote "All This Useless Beauty" specifically for Tabor, and she recorded it on Angel Tiger.
Since then her solo albums have included:
A Quiet Eye (1999)
Rosa Mundi (2001)
An Echo of Hooves (2003)
At the Wood's Heart (2005)
Apples (2007)
Ashore (2011)
Ragged Kingdom is a 2011 album by June Tabor & Oysterband.
Since 2006, Tabor has also been working with Huw Warren and Iain Ballamy as Quercus.
Website: www.junetabor.co.uk
Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight
June Tabor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And walk into these gardens green? In my arms I'll thee embrace.
Ten thousand times I'll kiss your mouth, make sport and let's be merry."
"I thank you, lady, for your kindness, trust me, I may not stay with thee.
For I have killed the Laird Johnstone, I care not for the feud.
My loyal heart did still incline, he was my father's death.
By day and night I did pursue and all on him revenged to be;
Adieu Dumfries, my proper place, adieu, adieu Caerlaverock fair;
Adieu my castle of the Threave, and all my buildings there.
Adieu Lochmaben's gates so fair and the Langholm shank where the birk bops bonny;
Adieu my lady and my only joy, trust me, I may not stay with thee."
Now he has taken a good gold ring whereat hang signets three,
Says, "Take you this, my own dear love, and aye, have mind of me.
"But if you have another lord while I am o'er the sea,
His life is but a three day's lease, trust me, I may not stay with thee."
The wind was fair, the ship was clear, the good Lord went away;
The most part of his friends were there to give him fair convoy.
They ate the meat, they drank the wine, presenting in that good Lord's sight.
Now he is over the floods so grey, Lord Maxwell's taken his last goodnight.
Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight by June Tabor is a song that tells the story of a Scottish lord who is bidding farewell to his love as he sets out on a journey. However, his journey is not for adventure, but rather to escape the consequences of his actions. He confesses to his love that he has killed the Laird Johnstone, who was responsible for his father's death. He is unapologetic about it and explains that it was his duty to avenge his father's death. He is now on the run from the law, and he cannot stay with his love, no matter how much he wants to. He bids farewell to all that he loves and sets sail, hoping to escape the fate that awaits him.
The first paragraph of the lyrics is a depiction of the love and affection that exists between Lord Maxwell and his love. She asks him to stay with her and enjoy the pleasures of life, but he cannot stay because of his guilt. The second paragraph, on the other hand, is a confession and justification of the murder that he committed. He was bound by the Scottish code of honour to avenge his father's death. The third paragraph is a goodbye to all that he cherished in his lifetime, including his love. He gives her a gold ring as a reminder of him and warns her that if she takes another lover while he is away, he will return to punish him.
June Tabor's rendition of the song is a haunting melody that perfectly captures the pain and sorrow of Lord Maxwell as he bids farewell to his love and everything he has ever known. The song is a poignant reflection of the brutal and unforgiving world of medieval Scotland, where honour and loyalty were highly prized. It is a timeless classic that has resonated with audiences for generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Good, my lord, will you stay then about my father's house
Lady invites Lord Maxwell to stay at her father's house.
And walk into these gardens green? In my arms I'll thee embrace.
Lady promises to welcome Lord Maxwell with open arms.
Ten thousand times I'll kiss your mouth, make sport and let's be merry.
Lady suggests having fun and spending time together.
I thank you, lady, for your kindness, trust me, I may not stay with thee.
Lord Maxwell thanks Lady for her offer but declines due to his past actions.
For I have killed the Laird Johnstone, I care not for the feud.
Lord Maxwell has killed his father's adversary and doesn't regret it.
My loyal heart did still incline, he was my father's death.
Lord Maxwell killed Laird Johnstone to avenge his father's death.
By day and night I did pursue and all on him revenged to be;
Lord Maxwell relentlessly pursued Laird Johnstone for revenge.
Now I have gotten what I long sought, trust me, I may not stay with thee.
Lord Maxwell has achieved his goal and cannot stay with Lady any longer.
Adieu Dumfries, my proper place, adieu, adieu Caerlaverock fair;
Lord Maxwell bids farewell to his homeland.
Adieu my castle of the Threave, and all my buildings there.
Lord Maxwell bids farewell to his properties.
Adieu Lochmaben's gates so fair and the Langholm shank where the birk bops bonny;
Lord Maxwell bids farewell to the landmarks he loves.
Adieu my lady and my only joy, trust me, I may not stay with thee.
Lord Maxwell bids farewell to Lady who he loves but cannot stay with.
Now he has taken a good gold ring whereat hang signets three,
Lord Maxwell gives Lady a ring with three signets as a keepsake.
Says, "Take you this, my own dear love, and aye, have mind of me.
Lord Maxwell asks Lady to remember him by the ring he gave her.
"But if you have another lord while I am o'er the sea,
Lord Maxwell warns Lady that if she finds another lover, he will seek vengeance.
His life is but a three day's lease, trust me, I may not stay with thee."
Lord Maxwell threatens the life of any future lover Lady may have.
The wind was fair, the ship was clear, the good Lord went away;
Lord Maxwell sets sail on a clear day.
The most part of his friends were there to give him fair convoy.
Lord Maxwell's friends are there to see him off.
They ate the meat, they drank the wine, presenting in that good Lord's sight.
Lord Maxwell's friends enjoy a feast in his honor.
Now he is over the floods so grey, Lord Maxwell's taken his last goodnight.
Lord Maxwell sails away, taking his leave forever.
Contributed by Alexis L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bucklilli9832
I love these old ballads. I know an American lady who is descended from Lord Maxwell.
@Metal_Connection
1977 Medieval Folk song ⚔️🛡
@shwethagoldman9295
I too have both Tabor's renditions; good and I agree with Jim Hindmarch; Francis Elder's version is unmissable. And Elder's Mary Hamilton? indeed wow! Trad ballad given the 'method' treatment.
@evetelfordfolk1551
I used to know Francis-- would like to get back in touch with him-- does he have 'Lord Maxwell ' on a CD? Eve Telford
@jimhindmarch7120
I have both tabors versions - this cd and on echo of hooves - I heard francis elder do it recently in Oxford - now that one you got to hear - has he done recordings? - mary hamilton is on youtube - wow!
@evetelfordfolk1551
I can't find Francis' 'Mary Hamilton'on YouTube... Best, Eve Telford