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.
One Misty Moisty Morning
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I met with an old man a-clothed all in leather
He was clothed all in leather with a cap beneath his chin
Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
This rustic was a thresher as on his way he hied
And with a leather bottle fast buckled by his side
He wore no shirt upon his back but wool unto his skin
I went a little further and there I met a maid
A-going a-milking, a-milking Sir she said
Then I began to compliment and she began to sing
Saying how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
This maid her name was Dolly clothed in a gown of grey
I being somewhat jolly persuaded her to stay
And straight I fell a-courting her in hopes her love to win
Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
I having time and leisure, I spent a vacant hour
A-telling of my treasure while sitting in the bower
With many kind embraces I stroke her double chin
Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
I said that I would married be and she would be my bride
And long we should not tarry and twenty things beside
I'll plough and sow and reap and mow and you shall sit and spin
Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
Her parents then consented, all parties were agreed
Her portion thirty shillings, we married were with speed
Then Will the piper he did play whilst others dance and sing
Saying how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
Then lusty Ralph and Robin with many damsels gay
Did ride on Roan and Dobbin to celebrate the day
And when they met together their caps they off did fling
Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do
And how do you do again
The song "One Misty Moisty Morning" by Steeleye Span has a folk tune to it and is about an encounter with an old man dressed in leather and a maid named Dolly. The song provides a glimpse into rural life in the past. The first verse describes how the singer meets the old man and his attire, and they exchange polite greetings. The second verse describes how the old man had a leather bottle hanging from his side but no shirt on his back. He was a thresher on his way to work who enjoyed singing as he walked.
The third verse tells us about how the singer meets a maid named Dolly who is on her way to milk cows. The singer begins to compliment her beauty, and she returns the compliments with her song. The two sing "how do you do" multiple times, and the fourth verse tells us how the singer falls in love with Dolly and begins to court her. In the fifth verse, the singer spends time with Dolly in a bower, telling her about his life and desires.
In the sixth verse, the singer proposes to Dolly, and she agrees to marry him. They marry quickly and celebrate their wedding with music from a piper named Will. Lusty Ralph and Robin ride their horses, Roan and Dobbin, to celebrate the wedding day. The song emphasizes the simple joys of life and highlights the values of love and community.
Line by Line Meaning
One misty moisty morning when cloudy was the weather
One foggy and damp morning with overcast skies
I met with an old man a-clothed all in leather
I encountered an elderly man who was fully dressed in leather apparel
He was clothed all in leather with a cap beneath his chin
He was outfitted with complete leather attire including a cap under his chin
Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
Merrily singing a friendly greeting of 'How do you do?' repeatedly
This rustic was a thresher as on his way he hied
This man was a farmer who threshed grains and was on his way to work
And with a leather bottle fast buckled by his side
He had a leather bottle fastened at his side
He wore no shirt upon his back but wool unto his skin
He was not wearing a shirt, only wool directly on his skin
I went a little further and there I met a maid
I continued walking and subsequently encountered a young unmarried woman
A-going a-milking, a-milking Sir she said
She was on her way to milk the cows
Then I began to compliment and she began to sing
I started to compliment her and she responded with a song
This maid her name was Dolly clothed in a gown of grey
The young woman's name was Dolly and she was wearing a grey dress
I being somewhat jolly persuaded her to stay
I was in high spirits and convinced her to remain with me
And straight I fell a-courting her in hopes her love to win
Immediately, I began to court her with the intention of winning her love
I having time and leisure, I spent a vacant hour
Having some free time, I spent an empty hour with her
A-telling of my treasure while sitting in the bower
I spoke about my possessions while sitting in a secluded area
With many kind embraces I stroke her double chin
I showed affection by embracing her and stroking her chin
I said that I would married be and she would be my bride
I proposed marriage to her, with me as the groom and her as the bride
And long we should not tarry and twenty things beside
We should not delay, and had many plans for the future
I'll plough and sow and reap and mow and you shall sit and spin
I would take care of the farming and she would take care of the spinning
Her parents then consented, all parties were agreed
Her parents approved and all concerned parties agreed
Her portion thirty shillings, we married were with speed
Her dowry was thirty shillings, and we married quickly after
Then Will the piper he did play whilst others dance and sing
Will played the bagpipes while everyone else danced and sang
Saying how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
Continuing to merrily greet each other with a friendly 'How do you do?'
Then lusty Ralph and Robin with many damsels gay
Soon thereafter, spirited Ralph and Robin along with many cheerful young women
Did ride on Roan and Dobbin to celebrate the day
Rode on their horses, Roan and Dobbin, to festively celebrate the special occasion
And when they met together their caps they off did fling
When they arrived at the party, they removed their hats as a sign of respect
Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do
Joining in the cheerful greeting and continuing to enjoy the festivities
And how do you do again
Another repetition of the friendly greeting of 'How do you do?'
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: TIM HART, ROBERT JOHNSON, RICK KEMP, PETER KNIGHT, MADDY PRIOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wilhelm Taylor
I was made aware of Steeleye Span in 1971. Purchased most of their albums (vinyl). I am amazed that Maddy sounds EXACTLY the same these days. It's a miracle.
Bernd Bruns
I agree, the voice is still perfect
liliameave
First saw them perform in the early 1970’s, followed them ever since, many wonderful memories. Thank you Steeleye in all you formations.
John Martin
My God! These guys are wonderfull!
Rogue Riderhood
@John Martin I should have seen them last year, but bloody Covid 19 stopped that! Looks like I'll have to wait for the 2022 tour now 😢
John Martin
@Rogue Riderhood I know!
John Martin
@Mike Hoster Thanks!
Rogue Riderhood
They get better the more you listen to them.
Mike Hoster
Look up the BBC Boxing Day concert, this was the 1st time and I was hooked.. :))
Chris Tye
Saw them at a gig in Cardiff Castle in the mid-70’s. Rained the entire time except the hour the Span were on stage. Always loved Maddy’s vocals.