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.
The Blacksmith
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He fairly won my heart, wrote me a letter
With his hammer in his hand he looked so clever
And if I were with my love I would live forever
Oh where has my love gone with his cheeks like roses
He is gone across the sea gathering primroses
I'm afraid the shining sun might burn and scorch his beauty
Strange news is a-come to town, strange news is carried
Strange news flies up and down that my love is married
Oh I wish them both great joy, though they don't hear me
And if I were with my love I would do my duty
What did you promise me when you lay beside me
You said you'd marry me and not deny me
If I said I'd marry you twas only to try you
So bring your witness love and I'll not deny you
The song "The Blacksmith" by Steeleye Span is a traditional English folk ballad that tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a blacksmith. The first stanza of the song reveals that the blacksmith won her heart through his skilled work and wrote her a letter expressing his affection. Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of duty, as the singer expresses her willingness to do her part in the relationship.
In the second stanza, the singer expresses her concern for her lover who has gone across the sea to gather primroses. She worries that the sun may "burn and scorch his beauty," highlighting the delicate and fleeting nature of love. Despite this, the singer remains committed to doing her duty and waiting for her lover's return.
The third stanza brings a twist to the story as strange news arrives in town that the singer's love has married. Although she wishes them both great joy, she remains steadfast in her devotion, stating that if she were with her love, she would do her duty. The final stanza reveals that the blacksmith had promised to marry the singer, but it turns out that he was only testing her commitment to him.
Overall, the song explores the themes of love, duty, and betrayal, and highlights the complexity of romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
A blacksmith courted me nine months or better
A blacksmith pursued me as a romantic partner for a prolonged period of time
He fairly won my heart, wrote me a letter
He captured my affections and sent me a message expressing his feelings
With his hammer in his hand he looked so clever
He appeared skilled and innovative as a blacksmith with his tool in his grasp
And if I were with my love I would live forever
If I were together with my beloved, life would be eternal and fulfilling
Oh where has my love gone with his cheeks like roses
Where has my sweetheart vanished to with his facial features resembling the petals of a flower
He is gone across the sea gathering primroses
He sailed out to gather primroses from other lands
I'm afraid the shining sun might burn and scorch his beauty
I fear the sun's rays may ruin his handsome appearance
And if I were with my love I would do my duty
I would fulfill my obligations as a dedicated partner if I were with my beloved
Strange news is a-come to town, strange news is carried
Unusual or surprising reports have arrived and spread throughout the community
Strange news flies up and down that my love is married
The rumors suggest that my beloved has wed someone else
Oh I wish them both great joy, though they don't hear me
Although they are unaware of my thoughts, I genuinely want them to be happy together
And if I were with my love I would do my duty
I would fulfill my responsibilities as a loving partner if I were with my beloved
What did you promise me when you lay beside me
What commitments did you make to me while we were intimate?
You said you'd marry me and not deny me
You claimed you would wed me and not refuse me
If I said I'd marry you twas only to try you
If I hinted at the idea of marrying you, it was merely to test you
So bring your witness love and I'll not deny you
Therefore, present your proof of our agreement, and I will keep my word
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GEOFF SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
on Bonny Moorhen
Hi Stuart, We have corrected the description above.
Stuart Tartan
on Bonny Moorhen
This description of the song completely misses the point in every way. It IS NOT about a bird.
It is an allegorical Jacobite-era song about Bonny Prince Charlie (the bonny moorhen). The colours mentioned, for instance, are the colours of the Clan Stuart tartan.