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 Night as I Lay on My Bed
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I dreamed about a pretty maid.
I was so oppressed,
I could take no rest;
Love did torment me so.
So away to my true love I did go.
And when I came to my love's window,
“For your sweet sake
I'm come here this late,
Through this bitter frost and snow,
So open your window, my love, do.”
“My mam and dad they are both awake,
And they will sure for to hear us speak.
There'll be no excuse
Then but sore abuse,
Many a bitter word and blow.
So begone from my window, my love, do.”
“Your mam and dad they are both asleep,
And they are sure not to hear us speak,
They're sleeping sound
On their bed of down,
And they draw they breath so low.
So open the window, my love, do.”
My lover rose and she opened the door,
And just like an angel she stood on the floor.
Her eyes shone bright
Like the stars at night,
No diamonds could shine so.
So in with my true love I did go.
The start of the song describes a restless night for the singer, who is unable to find peace due to the torment of love. He takes the decision to visit his loved one in the middle of the night, braving the bitter cold and snow. When he reaches her window, he calls out to her, and she responds with caution, fearing the wrath of her parents if they were to get caught. The singer tries to reassure her that her parents are fast asleep, and that they can converse without any fear of getting caught. Eventually, after initial reluctance, she opens the door for him, and the song ends on a happy note as they get to spend time together.
The beauty of this lovely song lies in the simplicity of the lyrics, which convey a tale of young love, innocence, and passion. The singer expresses his love for the girl, and she reciprocates those feelings. The song is also about longing and how true love can overcome all obstacles. The cold, the snow, and the fear of getting caught by the girl's parents cannot dissuade the singer from being with his love. He is willing to brave all odds to be with her.
Line by Line Meaning
One night as I lay on my bed,
As I lay in bed one night, I had a dream about a beautiful woman.
I dreamed about a pretty maid.
In my dream, I saw a lovely woman.
I was so oppressed,
In reality, I was feeling burdened and troubled.
I could take no rest;
I couldn't sleep and was restless.
Love did torment me so.
My love for someone was causing me pain and anguish.
So away to my true love I did go.
So I decided to visit my true love.
And when I came to my love's window,
When I arrived at my love's window,
I boldly called her by her name,
I confidently called out her name.
“For your sweet sake
I am here for you,
I'm come here this late,
Even if it's late at night,
Through this bitter frost and snow,
Despite the cold and snow,
So open your window, my love, do.”
Please open your window so I can see you.
“My mam and dad they are both awake,
My parents are awake,
And they will sure for to hear us speak.
And they are likely to hear us talking.
There'll be no excuse
There is no justification,
Then but sore abuse,
Only insults and scolding,
Many a bitter word and blow.
And maybe even physical punishment.
So begone from my window, my love, do.”
So please leave and go away from my window.
“Your mam and dad they are both asleep,
Your parents are both asleep,
And they are sure not to hear us speak,
They are unlikely to hear us talking,
They're sleeping sound
They are sleeping deeply,
On their bed of down,
On their comfortable bed,
And they draw they breath so low.
And are breathing quietly.
So open the window, my love, do.”
So please open the window for me, my love.
My lover rose and she opened the door,
My lover got up and opened the door,
And just like an angel she stood on the floor.
And she looked like an angel standing there.
Her eyes shone bright
Her eyes were bright,
Like the stars at night,
Like the stars in the sky,
No diamonds could shine so.
Nothing could sparkle more than her.
So in with my true love I did go.
So I went inside with my true love.
Contributed by Kaelyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
gerrit brouwer
After all these years still impressed by Dave Mattacks' forceful contribution making this song its energetic self. Beautiful!
petiauk7
20k views. Zero dislikes. Can't even describe how good this is. Each instrument and the harmonies are so sublime. Add to that some of the finest drumming and bass you'll ever hear and you have a real gem of a track. 😊😊😊
Lucky Barritt
my God what an underrated band and what a cool cool song
William Mclaughlan
Exactly, I agree with you 100%
Will Star
Awesome, awesome song, true and honest music.
William StClaire
Another great classic from a truly awesome group of people.
James Stuart
Great folk music from a gentler, more meaningful time.
B.M.T.H.
@Rachel McDonough Britain wasn't in the Vietnam war, so yes, more than likely it was a gentler time in the UK.
Rachel McDonough
a gentler, more meaningful time? You mean the Vietnam War? That was real gentle...
Kris Fotheringham
correct