He was born in Hatfield and grew up in Hampstead, London. After training as an actor he sang in coffee bars. He became a resident at the Troubador folk club in Earls Court in the late 1950s. He joined Redd Sullivan's Thameside Four in 1961. He is a renowned solo performer of traditional songs in a very distinctive style, accompanying himself on his trusty old Martin Guitar; his style is marked by the use of alternate tunings, and a strongly percussive picking style that emphasizes the melody. His debut album, Martin Carthy, was released in 1965, and also featured Dave Swarbrick playing fiddle on some tracks, although he was not mentioned in the album's sleeve notes.
He has also been involved with many musical collaborations. He has sung with The Watersons since 1972, was an early member of the UK folk rock group Steeleye Span, and was part of the innovative Brass Monkey ensemble, which mixed a range of brass instruments with Carthy's guitar and mandolin and John Kirkpatrick's accordion, melodeon and concertina.
For many years Carthy has enjoyed a creative partnership with fiddle player Dave Swarbrick. More recently, Waterson:Carthy has provided the forum for a successful partnership with partner Norma Waterson together with their daughter Eliza Carthy.
In June 1998 he was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. He was named Folk Singer of the Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2002, and again in 2005 when he also won the award for Best Traditional Track for 'Famous Flower of Serving Men'.
Here's Adieu to All Judges and Juries
Martin Carthy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Justice and Old Bailey, too.
Seven years you've transported my true love,
Seven years he's transported, you know.
Oh, hard is the place of confinement
That leads me from my heart's delight.
Cold irons and chains all bound round me
Oh, if I had the wings of an eagle
High up on these pinions I'd fly.
I'd fly to the arms of my true love
And in her soft bosom I'd lie.
Oh, my love she is dark and she's proper,
My love's like the linnet in spring.
Oh the nightingale sleeps in her bosom
And love do fly high on her wing.
Oh if e'er I return from the ocean,
Stores of riches I'll bring for my dear.
And it's all for the sake of my true love,
I will cross the salt seas without fear.
Here's adieu to all judges and juries!
Justice and Old Bailey, too.
Seven years you've transported my true love,
Seven years he's transported, you know.
The lyrics to Martin Carthy's song "Here's Adieu to All Judges and Juries" tell the story of a person who has been separated from their true love due to a prison sentence. The singer is saying goodbye to the judges, juries, and justice system that has taken their love away from them. They express the difficulty of confinement and the pain of being away from their beloved, who is described as dark, proper and like a linnet in spring. The singer longs to be with their love, even wishing for wings to fly to their embrace. The song ends with a promise to return from the ocean with riches for their love, despite any fear.
The lyrics of this song are a reflection of the hardships faced by those who have been separated from their loved ones due to the justice system. It highlights the deep pain and longing that can be felt in such a situation. The promise of returning with riches is a symbol of the hope and determination that can be found even in difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's adieu to all judges and juries!
Farewell to the courts and justice system!
Justice and Old Bailey, too.
This includes the Old Bailey courthouse in London, a symbol of British justice.
Seven years you've transported my true love,
My lover has been sent away for seven years of exile or transportation.
Seven years he's transported, you know.
And I've spent those seven years missing him terribly.
Oh, hard is the place of confinement
Being locked away from my beloved is unbearable.
That leads me from my heart's delight.
My confinement keeps me from the one I love most.
Cold irons and chains all bound round me
I am imprisoned in shackles and chains, in a cold and inhumane environment.
And a plank for my pillow at night.
I am given nothing but a hard wooden board to sleep on.
Oh, if I had the wings of an eagle
If only I could escape and be with my true love once more.
High up on these pinions I'd fly.
I would soar above my confinement.
I'd fly to the arms of my true love
I would go to my beloved's open embrace.
And in her soft bosom I'd lie.
I would find comfort and shelter in her loving arms.
Oh, my love she is dark and she's proper,
She may be of lower social standing, but she is beautiful and respectable.
My love's like the linnet in spring.
My love makes my heart sing like the bird in springtime.
Oh the nightingale sleeps in her bosom
A beautiful and poetic way to describe her warm and loving personality.
And love do fly high on her wing.
She lifts me up and brings me joy and happiness.
Oh if e'er I return from the ocean,
If I survive and make it back from my dangerous voyage at sea,
Stores of riches I'll bring for my dear.
I will come back to her with wealth and treasures to show my love.
And it's all for the sake of my true love,
Everything I do and all that I am is for the woman I adore.
I will cross the salt seas without fear.
No danger or obstacle will keep me from her side.
Contributed by Reagan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Daniel
on Lovely Joan
Hello ! The lyrics here art alle wrong. An' it's got tae be a frog-eater a-tellin' thee....