Seeger's father was Charles Seeger (1886–1979), an important folklorist and musicologist; her mother was Seeger's second wife, Ruth Porter Crawford Ruth Crawford seeger (1901–1953), a modernist composer who was one of the first women to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship. ... (family photo)
One of her brothers is Mike Seeger, and the well-known songwriter Pete Seeger is her half-brother.
One of Peggy Seeger's first recordings was "American Folk Songs for Children" (1955), considered one of her most enduring, and probably the best-selling, collection of children's songs ever recorded.
Together with MacColl, Seeger joined The Critics Group, performing satirical songs in a mixture of theatre, comedy and song. Seeger and MacColl recorded as a duo and as solo artists; MacColl wrote "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in Seeger's honor.
John Riley
Peggy Seeger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To take the sweet and pleasant air
Who should I spy but a fair young lady
Her cheeks being like a lily fair
I stepped up to her, right boldly asking
Would she be a sailor's wife?
"Oh no, kind sir, I'd rather tarry
"Tell me, kind Miss and what makes you differ
From the rest of womankind?"
"I see you're fair, you are young, you're handsome
And for to marry might be inclined"
"The truth, kind Sir, I will plainly tell you
I might have married three years ago
To one John Riley who left this country
He is the cause of all my woe"
"Come along with me, don't you think on Riley
Come along with me to some distant shore
We will set sail for Pennsylvania
Adieu, sweet England, forevermore"
I"'ll not go with you to Pennsylvania
I'll not go with you to that distant shore
My heart's with Riley, I will ne'er forget him
Although I may never see him no more"
And when he seen she truly loved him
He give her kisses, one two and three
Says, "I am Riley, your own true lover
That's been the cause of your misery"
"If you be he and your name is Riley
I'll go with you to that distant shore
We will set sail to Pennsylvania
Adieu, kind friends, forevermore"
The song "John Riley" by Peggy Seeger is a traditional ballad that tells the story of a young lady who has been waiting for John Riley, her lover, to return from sea for the last three years. As she walks in the morning air, a young man approaches her and offers to take her away to Pennsylvania. However, the fair lady declines because her heart belongs to John Riley, and she will never forget him. As the young man persists, she finally reveals the truth - John Riley is the cause of all her woe.
The man then reveals himself as John Riley, and they embrace. John Riley tells her that he has finally returned, and they can now leave for Pennsylvania together. The song is a beautiful love story about waiting for true love and the joy of being reunited with your beloved. It also talks about how love can cause heartbreak, but it is still the most beautiful feeling in the world.
Overall, the song is a beautiful reminder of the power of true love and the joy that comes with being reunited with the person you love.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walked out one morning early
The singer talks about a certain morning where they were out walking early.
To take the sweet and pleasant air
The singer wanted to enjoy the fresh air that morning.
Who should I spy but a fair young lady
The singer saw a beautiful young lady.
Her cheeks being like a lily fair
The girl's cheeks were as fresh and pure as a lily.
I stepped up to her, right boldly asking
The singer confidently approached the lady and inquired.
Would she be a sailor's wife?
The singer asked the lady if she would marry a sailor.
"Oh no, kind sir, I'd rather tarry
The lady politely declined the offer by saying that she would rather stay unmarried.
And remain single for all my life"
The lady was firm about her decision to not get married.
"Tell me, kind Miss and what makes you differ
The singer asked the lady what sets her apart from other women.
From the rest of womankind?"
The singer was curious about what made the lady unique from other women.
"I see you're fair, you are young, you're handsome
The singer complimented the lady for her beauty and youth.
And for to marry might be inclined"
The singer hinted at the possibility of marrying the lady.
"The truth, kind Sir, I will plainly tell you
The lady decided to reveal the reason behind her aversion to marriage.
I might have married three years ago
The lady confessed that she was supposed to marry three years ago.
To one John Riley who left this country
The lady's ex-fiance, John Riley, left the country, causing her misery.
He is the cause of all my woe"
The lady blamed John Riley for her sadness and misery.
"Come along with me, don't you think on Riley
The singer insisted on taking the lady away from her past and starting anew.
Come along with me to some distant shore
The singer suggested they leave for another place to start their lives.
We will set sail for Pennsylvania
The singer proposed that they sail together to Pennsylvania.
Adieu, sweet England, forevermore"
The singer said goodbye to England, probably never to return again.
"I'll not go with you to Pennsylvania
The lady declined the singer's offer to leave with him.
I'll not go with you to that distant shore
The lady refused to leave with the singer to another place.
My heart's with Riley, I will ne'er forget him
The lady still loved John Riley and could not forget him.
Although I may never see him no more"
The lady understood that she may never see John Riley again.
And when he seen she truly loved him
When John Riley saw that the lady loved him truly.
He give her kisses, one two and three
John Riley kissed the lady several times.
Says, "I am Riley, your own true lover
John Riley revealed himself as the lady's true lover.
That's been the cause of your misery"
John Riley admitted that he was the cause of the lady's pain and sorrow.
"If you be he and your name is Riley
The lady wanted to confirm that the man before her was indeed John Riley.
I'll go with you to that distant shore
The lady agreed to leave with John Riley to another place.
We will set sail to Pennsylvania
The couple decided to sail together to Pennsylvania.
Adieu, kind friends, forevermore"
The couple said their goodbyes to their friends, bidding them farewell forever.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, ACUM Ltd.
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind