Tensions between the band grew during the production in 1970 of their first album, Hark! The Village Wait to the point where they never again worked together after its completion, but the music itself shows no signs of these difficulties. While having a rock sensibility there is a greater sense of the authentic folk tradition than even in the best of Fairport, and a particular beauty arising from the two pairs of voices. The Woods being replaced by admired folk stalwart Martin Carthy, with violinist Peter Knight to widen the musical textures, the group late in 1970 recorded their most admired record Please to see the King. Ten Man Mop followed in 1971, more accomplished but generally felt to be less exciting. The expensive gatefold sleeve swallowed the band's royalties, and was referred to as a tombstone, since Hutchings and Carthy then left, to pursue Hutchings' new vision of a specifically English strand of folk rock with The Albion Band, and Steeleye Mk 2 folded.
However the inclusion of the less celebrated and more rock orientated replacements Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson led to the most commercially successful phase in the band's existence, vocalist Maddy Prior becoming the primary focus of the band, and a run of well received albums, from Below the Salt and Now we Are Six, their first with drummer Nigel Pegrum, to their eighth, and most commercially successful, All Around my Hat, in 1975.
Still active, they have a claim to be one of the longest-lived and perhaps the most commercially successful of all the folk rock bands of the era, thanks to their hit singles Gaudete and All Around My Hat, 3 top 40 albums and even a certified "gold" record with All Around My Hat.
Tim Hart died of lung cancer on 24 December 2009, aged 61.
Lovely On the Water
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the springtime of the year
I overheard a sailor boy
Likewise a lady fair
They sang a song together
Made the valleys for to ring
While the birds on the spray in the meadows gay
Said Willy unto Nancy
Oh we soon must sail away
For its lovely on the water
To hear the music play
For our Queen she do want seamen
So I will not stay on shore
I will brave the wars for my country
Where the blund'ring cannons roar
Poor Nancy fell and fainted
But soon he brought her to
For it's there they kissed and there embraced
And took a fond adieu
Come change your ring with me my love
For we may meet once more
But there's one above that will guard you love
Where the blund'ring cannons roar
For pounds it is our bounty
And that must do for thee
But to help the aged parents
While I am on the sea
For Tower Hill is crowded
With mother's weeping sore
For their sons are gone to face the war
Where the blundering cannons roar
The Steeleye Span song "Lovely On the Water" tells the story of a sailor named Willy who is sharing a moment with his lover, Nancy, on the banks of a river. The song takes place in the springtime, which the birds in the surrounding area joyfully proclaim. Both Willy and Nancy sing together, and their song fills the valleys with music. Willy tells Nancy that they will soon have to sail away because Queen Elizabeth I is in need of seamen. Willy is ready to leave and fight in the wars to defend his country. Nancy falls and faints in sorrow at Willy's departure, but Willy holds her and reassures her that they will meet again—that is, unless they don't, and in that case, a higher power will protect her. He gives her a ring to remember him while he is gone on his mission to serve his country.
The lyrics in this song paint a picture of love and sacrifice. Willy is willing to leave his lover behind to fight for his queen and his country. Nancy expresses her grief at Willy leaving, but Willy assures her that he will come back to her if possible. The song also touches on the idea of parenthood and aging. Willy decides to use his bounty to help his own parents while he is away protecting his home. The mothers left behind cry as their sons go off to face the war, which is symbolized by the blundering cannons that roar in the distance. In a sense, the song is a reminder of the sacrifices made for love and duty.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walked out one morning
The singer sets the scene for us by stating that they were walking out during the springtime of the year.
In the springtime of the year
The time of year is spring.
I overheard a sailor boy
The singer heard a conversation between a sailor boy and a lady.
Likewise a lady fair
The conversation was between the sailor boy and a beautiful lady.
They sang a song together
The sailor boy and the lady sang a song together.
Made the valleys for to ring
Their singing was so beautiful that it echoed through the valleys.
While the birds on the spray in the meadows gay
The birds in the fields were singing and chirping as well.
Proclaimed the lovely spring
All the sounds of nature combined to celebrate the arrival of spring.
Said Willy unto Nancy
The sailor boy's name was Willy, and the lady's name was Nancy.
Oh we soon must sail away
Willy tells Nancy that they must sail away soon.
For its lovely on the water
Willy enjoys being out at sea.
To hear the music play
He enjoys listening to the sounds of the sea.
For our Queen she do want seamen
Willy must leave to serve their queen as a sailor.
So I will not stay on shore
Willy chooses to serve their queen instead of staying on shore with Nancy.
I will brave the wars for my country
Willy is willing to fight in the wars in order to serve their queen and country.
Where the blund'ring cannons roar
The sounds of war are loud and chaotic.
Poor Nancy fell and fainted
When Nancy heard that Willy had to leave, she fainted.
But soon he brought her to
Willy quickly helped Nancy recover.
For it's there they kissed and there embraced
Willy and Nancy shared a tender moment.
And took a fond adieu
They said goodbye to each other.
Come change your ring with me my love
Willy asks Nancy to exchange rings with him.
For we may meet once more
Willy hopes that they will meet again someday.
But there's one above that will guard you love
Willy believes that God will protect Nancy while he is away.
Where the blund'ring cannons roar
Even in the midst of war, Nancy will be protected.
For pounds it is our bounty
Willy will be paid for his service as a sailor.
And that must do for thee
The money he earns must be enough to take care of Nancy while he is away.
But to help the aged parents
Some of the money will go towards supporting Nancy's elderly parents.
While I am on the sea
Willy will send money home while he is away at sea.
For Tower Hill is crowded
Tower Hill, a place where people went to watch ships depart, is crowded.
With mother's weeping sore
Mothers are crying as their sons leave for war.
For their sons are gone to face the war
The sons are headed off to fight in the war.
Where the blundering cannons roar
The sounds of war are deafening and chaotic.
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
zzz wy
As I walked out one morning
In the springtime of the year
I overheard a sailor boy
Likewise a lady fair
They sang a song together
Made the valleys for to ring
While the birds on the spray in the meadows gay
Proclaimed the lovely spring
Said Willy unto Nancy
Oh we soon must sail away
For its lovely on the water
To hear the music play
For our Queen she do want seamen
So I will not stay on shore
I will brave the wars for my country
Where the blund'ring cannons roar
Poor Nancy fell and fainted
But soon he brought her to
For it's there they kissed and there embraced
And took a fond adieu
Come change your ring with me my love
For we may meet once more
But there's one above that will guard you love
Where the blund'ring cannons roar
For pounds it is our bounty
And that must do for thee
But to help the aged parents
While I am on the sea
For Tower Hill is crowded
With mother's weeping sore
For their sons are gone to face the war
Where the blundering cannons roar
folkmusicgirl
This song "Lovely on the Water" is my favorite Steeleye Span song and Maddy's voice is just like pure gold. Her voice in perfect form with crystal clear folk soprano. A song that can bring you to tears.......it is so outstanding.
AvalonFriend
I'm shedding a tear right now at its pure perfection
tovarisch
All true, and the MUSIC -- what an arrangement! What a melody.
Peter Ivanovich Bagration
Steeleye Span are to folk what the Beatles were to Pop. Legends in their own genre. This song is just fantastic, it takes you right back in time... Love them.
Anders Eckstrand
Hear hear!!! ☝️
Rodney Cooper
An amazing band. The kind only England can produce.
Ransom DeBow
This song and Maddy’s voice were made for each other.
folkmusicgirl
This was the first Steeleye Span song I ever heard. I loved the way Maddy sang - so hauntingly beautiful. I was so young - a young girl and just in awe of this song and the beautiful arrangement. I thought - who is this girl with such a powerful voice that had me hanging on to every word as she sang the song? Afterwards, I found out who it was - and a fan ever since. This is probably my favourite song of S.S.
maxwellfan55
What a lovey comment. I do so hope you are still listening to this wonderful song and enjoying it just as much. I had the incredible privilege to sing and accompany a woman on guitar who had a similarly powerful, melodic voice, so Tim hart must have been in heaven.
Dave Williams
This was the first Steeleye Span song I ever heard, and I don't think I've ever fallen so far in love with a band so quickly. Truly a magical piece from a magical time...