Fountains Flowing
June Tabor & Oysterband Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leaving these girls behind in grief and sorrow.
What makes you go abroad, fighting for strangers
When you could stop at home, free from all dangers?
You courted me a while just to deceive me
Now my heart you have gained, and you means to leave me
Saying, There′s no belief in men, not my own brother
When I had gold in store oh you did invite me
And now I'm low and poor you seems to slight me
Dry off your brandy tears and leave off weeping
For happy we shall be at our next meeting
Oh I′ll roll you in my arms, me dearest jewel.
So stay at home with me and don't be cruel
She fell down on the ground like one was dying;
This house was full of grief, sighing and crying.
Farewell me dearest friends, father and mother
I am your only child, and I have no brother
It's in vain to weep for me for I am going
To where the lasting joy′s with fountains flowing
The song "Fountains Flowing" by June Tabor & Oysterband is a traditional folk song that tells the story of a woman who is left heartbroken by her lover who has decided to go abroad to fight for strangers. The captain calls for all hands to set sail the next day, leaving behind the women who are left in grief and sorrow. The woman questions why men would choose to go abroad to fight for strangers when they could stay home and be free from danger. She reveals that the man who courted her has deceived her, gained her heart, and intends to leave her. The woman speaks of the lack of trust even in her own brother and encourages girls to love one another.
She reminisces about the past when she had gold and was desired, compared to the present when she is poor and is being disregarded. She implores the man to stop weeping and promises that they will be happy when they meet again. The song ends with the woman bidding goodbye to her family and accepting her fate of being alone since she is her parents' only child. She assures them that they need not weep for her as she is going to a place where joy will be everlasting and where fountains are continually flowing.
This song is not just a story about heartbreak and the pain of love but also speaks of war and all its dangers. It portrays the women who are left behind when men go to war, and how they are expected to carry on with life without them. It also suggests that love and happiness can be found even in the bleakest of circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Our captain cried, All hands and away tomorrow,
The captain shouted to his crew to leave the port tomorrow, leaving behind unhappy women.
Leaving these girls behind in grief and sorrow.
The women are sad and unhappy knowing their men are going away.
What makes you go abroad, fighting for strangers
What is the reason you leave your home behind to fight for people that you do not know?
When you could stop at home, free from all dangers?
If you stayed at home, you wouldn't have to face any danger or risk.
You courted me a while just to deceive me
You pretended to love me, but you just wanted to trick me.
Now my heart you have gained, and you means to leave me
Even though you won my love, you plan to leave me.
Saying, There's no belief in men, not my own brother
Women cannot trust men, even their own brothers.
So girls if you can love, love one another
If women can love, they should love each other because men are not trustworthy.
When I had gold in store oh you did invite me
When I had wealth, you were interested in me, but now that I am poor, you ignore me.
And now I'm low and poor you seems to slight me
Now that I am poor, you treat me poorly and ignore me.
Dry off your brandy tears and leave off weeping
Stop crying and drinking to ease your pain.
For happy we shall be at our next meeting
We will be happy when we meet again.
Oh I'll roll you in my arms, me dearest jewel.
I will embrace and cherish you, my beloved.
So stay at home with me and don't be cruel
Stay with me and don't be unkind.
She fell down on the ground like one was dying;
She collapsed as if she were dying.
This house was full of grief, sighing and crying.
The house was filled with sorrow and crying.
Farewell me dearest friends, father and mother
Goodbye to my dearest friends, father, and mother.
I am your only child, and I have no brother
I am your only child and have no siblings.
It's in vain to weep for me for I am going
Crying is useless because I have to leave.
To where the lasting joy's with fountains flowing
I am going to a place where there is eternal happiness and a continuous flow of water from fountains.
Writer(s): traditional
Contributed by Molly N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gareth Belk
been listening to the oysterband since the 80`s and they are still an incredible band making the best music, junes voice must be a national treasure by now, they compliment each other wonderfully, still the best live gigs although its been a while now
Shane Murphy
Real music ,music of the people
blahblahblah85
She so deserves that award. I have never seen her so happy and bouncy Her voice is great. Her voice is an instrument of the band. .
Ruth music
So so good!!Love hearing June with the Oysterband!!!!
Plunkett Dublin
Amazing. Wonderful combination of the two. June is a legend and John Jones and the boys a national treasure! Beautiful
Vivien Collins
This tune is put to the hymn "To Be A Pilgrim" by John Bunyan, who was born and raised in the parish of Elstow in Bedfordshire and 'Pilgrim' occupies the central pane in the Abbey in Elstow. It is often sung at weddings and funerals and was sung at both of my parents funerals. This very old tune, with these very different lyrics, and sung to perfection by June Tabor brings a tear to my eye, every time I hear it.
Padraig o'neill
the wonderful june tabor and oysterband. this is sublime. from the album RAGGED KINGDOM , do check it out. you will not be disappointed.
Brian Masters
Just bought it.
Shane Murphy
Great tune , very well played and sang
Shane Murphy
This is really really good great vocals and brilliant music ,git the sound right with the button accordian with strings and drums