The band consisted of two of the superstars of British folk guitar, Bert Jansch (3rd November 1943 - 5th October 2011) and John Renbourn (8 August 1944 - 26 March 2015) both of whom also sang, singer Jacqui McShee, bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Terry Cox. The original line-up lasted until the early 70s. They then split acrimoniously, but reformed by mutual consent around 15 years later. The original lineup worked together briefly but Renbourn left to pursue studies and other projects, leading to a succession of lineup changes and erratic output, which continued through the 80s and 90s with Jansch and McShee the only constant members. When Jansch eventually left, McShee continued to lead a distantly-related group under the name Jacqui McShee's Pentangle.
The core of the band's identity was the eclectic virtuosity of Jansch and Renbourn, who added elements of Middle Eastern music, blues, jazz and Classical to their style. At various times, they also experimented with electric guitar and sitar.
Once I Had A Sweetheart
The Pentangle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once I had a sweetheart and now I have none
He's gone and left me He's gone and left me
Gone and left me in sorrow to mourn
Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see
Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see
My own darling jewel sat smiling by me
My own darling jewel sat smiling by me
But when I awakened I found it not so
My eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed
Eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed
I'll venture through England, through France and through Spain
I'll venture through England, through France and through Spain
My life I'll venture on watery main
My life I'll venture on watery main
I'll set sail of silver and steer toward the sun
I'll set sail of silver and steer toward the sun
And my false love will weep, my false love will weep
False love will weep for me after I'm gone
After I'm gone, After I'm gone, After I'm gone...
The Pentangle's song "Once I Had A Sweetheart" is a traditional folk ballad about a woman who has been abandoned by her lover. The first two verses convey the sorrow of the singer over the loss of her sweetheart. The repetition of the line "Once I had a sweetheart and now I have none" emphasizes the sense of loss and loneliness the singer feels. The third and fourth verses describe a dream the singer has in which her beloved is still with her, but when she awakens she is left only with her tears.
The fifth and sixth verses reveal the singer's plan to travel through England, France, and Spain in order to escape her pain. The line "My life I'll venture on watery main" suggests that she may even set out on a dangerous sea voyage. The final two verses express the singer's determination to move on and start a new life, while also acknowledging that her former love will feel regret after she has gone.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I had a sweetheart and now I have none
I used to have a lover, but now I don't.
He's gone and left me He's gone and left me
My lover has left me and gone away.
Gone and left me in sorrow to mourn
His departure has left me in deep sadness and grief.
Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see
Last night, I dreamt that I saw my beloved.
My own darling jewel sat smiling by me
In the dream, my lover sat by me and smiled.
But when I awakened I found it not so
However, when I woke up, I realized that it was just a dream.
Eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed
I cried so much that my eyes were like a fountain overflowing with tears.
I'll venture through England, through France and through Spain
I'll travel through England, France, and Spain.
My life I'll venture on watery main
I'll risk my life sailing on the seas.
I'll set sail of silver and steer toward the sun
I'll sail a silver ship towards the sun.
And my false love will weep, my false love will weep
My deceitful lover will cry for me once I'm gone.
False love will weep for me after I'm gone
Even though my lover tricked me, they will regret losing me after I'm gone.
After I'm gone, After I'm gone, After I'm gone...
This will be true even after I'm no longer here in this world.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: SONYA HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind