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 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 lyrics to Steeleye Span's "One Misty Morning" describe a chance encounter between the singer and an old man clothed in leather, followed by a meeting with a milkmaid named Dolly. The singer engages in flirtatious banter with Dolly, eventually proposing marriage and receiving her parents' consent. The celebration of the wedding includes the playing of music and dancing by the newlyweds and their friends.
The song is a traditional English folk ballad that dates back to the 17th century. Its narrative style is typical for this genre, using a conversational tone to tell a simple story. The theme of courtship and marriage is one that has been explored by countless folk songs throughout history, often using light-hearted and humorous lyrics to depict the pursuit of love.
The lyrics also contain descriptions of rural life and imagery that evokes the natural world, such as the misty morning and the leather bottle. The use of these details creates a sense of time and place, helping to transport the listener back to a simpler time and a different way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
One misty moisty morning when cloudy was the weather
On a misty and wet morning when the sky was cloudy
I met with an old man a-clothed all in leather
I encountered an elderly man dressed entirely in leather
He was clothed all in leather with a cap beneath his chin
He wore leather clothing and a hat fastened under his chin
Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
He greeted me with a repetitive singing of 'How do you do'
This rustic was a thresher as on his way he hied
This man was a farmer who threshed crops as he traveled
And with a leather bottle fast buckled by his side
He carried a leather bottle securely fastened to his side
He wore no shirt upon his back but wool unto his skin
He had no shirt on his back, only wool against his skin
I went a little further and there I met a maid
I walked a bit farther and encountered a young woman
A-going a-milking, a-milking Sir she said
She was on her way to milk cows and greeted me politely
Then I began to compliment and she began to sing
I started to flatter her and she responded by singing
Saying how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
She repeated the same greeting of 'How do you do'
This maid her name was Dolly clothed in a gown of grey
The young woman's name was Dolly and she wore a grey dress
I being somewhat jolly persuaded her to stay
I was feeling cheerful and convinced her to spend time with me
And straight I fell a-courting her in hopes her love to win
I immediately began to court her, hoping to win her affection
I having time and leisure, I spent a vacant hour
Having free time, I spent an idle hour with her
A-telling of my treasure while sitting in the bower
I shared stories about my possessions while sitting in a covered area
With many kind embraces I stroke her double chin
I hugged her warmly and gently touched her chin
Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
We sang the same greeting again and again
I said that I would married be and she would be my bride
I proposed that we get married and she become my wife
And long we should not tarry and twenty things beside
We wouldn't delay long and had many other things to discuss
I'll plough and sow and reap and mow and you shall sit and spin
I would work the land while she stayed home and spun thread
Her parents then consented, all parties were agreed
Her parents gave their approval and everyone agreed
Her portion thirty shillings, we married were with speed
Her dowry was 30 shillings and we were quickly married
Then Will the piper he did play whilst others dance and sing
The piper named Will played music while others danced and sang
Saying how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again
They continued to repeat the greeting throughout the festivities
Then lusty Ralph and Robin with many damsels gay
Two energetic men named Ralph and Robin arrived with many happy ladies
Did ride on Roan and Dobbin to celebrate the day
They rode horses named Roan and Dobbin to celebrate the occasion
And when they met together their caps they off did fling
When they gathered, they took off their caps in a show of respect
Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do
They joined in with the repeated greeting of 'How do you do'
And how do you do again
And continued to repeat it
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
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.