Born in Hampstead, London, Faithfull began her career in 1964 after attending a Rolling Stones party, where she was discovered by Andrew Loog Oldham. Her debut album Marianne Faithfull (released simultaneously with her album Come My Way on April 15, 1965) was a commercial success followed by a number of albums on Decca Records. From 1966 to 1970, she had a highly publicised romantic relationship with Mick Jagger. Her popularity was further enhanced by her film roles, such as those in I'll Never Forget What's'isname (1967), The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968), and Hamlet (1969). However, her popularity was overshadowed by personal problems in the 1970s. During that time she was anorexic, homeless and a heroin addict.
Noted for her distinctive voice, Faithfull's previously melodic and higher-registered vocals (which were prevalent throughout her career in the 1960s) were affected by severe laryngitis, coupled with persistent drug abuse during the 1970s, permanently altering her voice, leaving it raspy, cracked and lower in pitch. This new sound was praised as "whisky soaked" by some critics and seen as having helped to capture the raw emotions expressed in Faithfull's music.
After a long commercial absence, Faithfull made a comeback with the 1979 release of her critically acclaimed album Broken English. The album was a commercial success and marked a resurgence of her musical career. Broken English earned Faithfull a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and is often regarded as her "definitive recording". She followed this with a series of albums, including Dangerous Acquaintances (1981), A Child's Adventure (1983) and Strange Weather (1987). Faithfull also wrote three books about her life: Faithfull: An Autobiography (1994), Memories, Dreams & Reflections (2007) and Marianne Faithfull: A Life on Record (2014).
Faithfull is listed on VH1's "100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll" list. She received the World Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Women's World Awards and was made a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the government of France.
North Country Maid
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
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Although with her nature it did not agree.
So she wept and she sighed and bitterly she cried,
"Oh, I wish once again in the North I could be."
For the oak and the ash and the bonny ivy tree
They all grow green in the North country.
While sadly I roam I regret my dear home,
Where the lads and young lasses are making the hay.Where the birds sweetly sing, and the merry bells do ring
And the maidens and meadows are pleasant and gay.
For the oak and the ash and the bonny ivy tree
They all grow green in the North country.
No doubt if I please, I could marry with ease,
Where maidens are fair, many lovers will come.
But he that I wed must be North country bred
And carry me back to my own country.
For the oak and the ash and the bonny ivy tree
They all grow so green in the North country.
The lyrics to Marianne Faithfull's "North Country Maid" tell the story of a young woman who has left her home in the North country to start a new life in London. However, she quickly finds that the city is not for her and she longs to return to her homeland. The North country maid laments her situation, weeping and sighing as she wishes she could be back home where the oak, the ash, and the bonny ivy tree all grow green. Despite the promises and opportunities of the big city, the maid longs for the simplicity and joy of home where young lasses and lads make hay and the birds sweetly sing.
Throughout the song, the maid expresses her desire to find someone to marry who is also from the North country, someone who can understand and appreciate her love for the land. She acknowledges that she could easily find love in the city, as there are many fair maidens and lovers to choose from, but she insists that her future husband must be from the North so that he can take her back home to where she truly belongs. This song speaks to the universal desire for a sense of place and belonging, a longing for home that transcends time and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
A North country maid up to London has strayed
A girl from the north of the country has gone to London.
Although with her nature it did not agree.
She finds it difficult to adapt to life in the city, which is very different from her upbringing.
So she wept and she sighed and bitterly she cried, Oh, I wish once again in the North I could be.
She is homesick and misses her life back home.
For the oak and the ash and the bonny ivy tree They all grow green in the North country.
The natural landscapes of the north are very beautiful and different from the city.
While sadly I roam I regret my dear home, Where the lads and young lasses are making the hay.
She misses the rural life back home where people are carefree and enjoying nature together.
Where the birds sweetly sing, and the merry bells do ring And the maidens and meadows are pleasant and gay.
Everything in her dear home is beautiful and lively. There's a lot of joy and harmony.
No doubt if I please, I could marry with ease, Where maidens are fair, many lovers will come.
She could find suitors easily if she wants, but she wants someone from her homeland.
But he that I wed must be North country bred And carry me back to my own country.
Her future husband should be from her department so they can raise their family there.
For the oak and the ash and the bonny ivy tree They all grow so green in the North country.
She reiterates the beauty of nature in the north.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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