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.
Sovay
The Pentangle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She dressed herself in man's array
With a brace of pistols all by her side
To meet her true love, to meet her true love, she ride
As she was riding over the plain
She met her true love and bid him on his hand
she said stop
"And If an you do not, and if an you do not, I'll shoot you dead''
He delivered up his golden store
And still she craved for one thing more
"That diamond ring, that diamond ring that I see you wear
Oh hand it over, oh hand it over, and your life I'll spare''
"That diamond ring I wouldn't part
For it's a token from me sweetheart
You shoot and be damned you rogue" said he
"And you'll be hanged and you'll be hanged for murdering me''
Next morning in the garden green
Young Sophie and her love were seen
He spied his watch hanging by her clothes
Which made him blush lads, which made him blush lads like any rose
"Why do you blush you silly thing
I thought to have that diamond ring
Twas I who robbed you all on the plain
So here's your gold, so here's your gold and your watch again''
"I only did it for to know
If you were be a man or no
If you had given me that ring she said
I'd have pulled the trigger I'd pulled the trigger and shot you dead''
The Pentangle's song "Sovay" tells the tale of a young woman who disguises herself as a man to test the loyalty of her lover. She dresses herself in a man's clothing and arms herself with pistols and rides out to meet him. Once she finds him, she holds him up and demands that he turn over all of his valuables, including a diamond ring that she has her eye on. Her lover obliges, but when she asks for the ring, he refuses, telling her that it is a token from his sweetheart. The woman threatens to shoot him, and he tells her that he would rather die than give up the ring. The song ends with the revelation that the woman's lover had actually robbed her earlier, and he returns her stolen possessions to her.
The lyrics of "Sovay" provide a fascinating look into the traditional themes of ballads from the British Isles, which often center around love, betrayal, and loyalty. The story told in the song contains several elements that are common to ballads, including disguises, violence, and reversals of fortune. The woman's decision to dress as a man and hold up her own lover is a particularly notable component of the story, as it subverts traditional gender roles and expectations. Overall, "Sovay" is a captivating tale that offers insight into the cultural and social norms of the time period in which it was written.
Line by Line Meaning
Sovay Sovay all on a day
This is the title of the song - it sets the scene for the story.
She dressed herself in man's array
She dressed like a man, which was unusual for a woman at that time.
With a brace of pistols all by her side
She carried two guns with her, most likely for protection.
To meet her true love, to meet her true love, she ride
She was on her way to meet her lover, who she apparently cared deeply for.
As she was riding over the plain
She was traveling over a grassy, open area.
She met her true love and bid him on his hand
She greeted her lover and took his hand.
she said stop
She ordered him to stop moving.
"Stand and deliver, come sir,'' she said
She demanded that he give her something of value.
"And If an you do not, and if an you do not, I'll shoot you dead''
She threatened to kill him if he refused to comply with her demands.
He delivered up his golden store
He gave her all of his valuable possessions.
And still she craved for one thing more
She wanted one particular item, even after he gave her everything else.
"That diamond ring, that diamond ring that I see you wear
She specifically wanted his diamond ring.
Oh hand it over, oh hand it over, and your life I'll spare''
She offered to let him live if he gave her the ring.
"That diamond ring I wouldn't part
He refused to give her the ring, even though she threatened him.
For it's a token from me sweetheart
The ring had sentimental value to him, because it was a gift from someone he loved.
"You shoot and be damned you rogue" said he
He insulted her and didn't back down, even though she had a gun pointed at him.
"And you'll be hanged and you'll be hanged for murdering me''
He didn't fear death and told her that if she killed him, she would be punished for it.
Next morning in the garden green
The next day, they were outside surrounded by nature.
Young Sophie and her love were seen
Sophie and her lover were together again.
He spied his watch hanging by her clothes
He noticed that she had taken his watch before, but had returned it.
Which made him blush lads, which made him blush lads like any rose
He was embarrassed because he had been robbed by a woman.
"Why do you blush you silly thing
Sophie noticed that her lover was blushing, and asked him about it.
I thought to have that diamond ring
He admitted that he had expected her to take his ring.
Twas I who robbed you all on the plain
He confessed to robbing her in the first place.
So here's your gold, so here's your gold and your watch again''
He returned everything he had taken from her, including the watch she had noticed earlier.
"I only did it for to know
Sophie explained that she had robbed him to test his character.
If you were be a man or no
She wanted to see if he had the courage to stand up for himself and his possessions.
If you had given me that ring she said
She explained that if he had given her the ring, she would have shot him, because it would have shown that he was weak and afraid.
I'd have pulled the trigger I'd pulled the trigger and shot you dead''
She meant what she said earlier - if he had given her the ring, she would have killed him.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DAVE SWARBRICK, MARTIN CARTHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Holly Soules
1. Sovay Sovay all on a day
She dressed herself in man's array
With sword and pistols down by her side
To meet her true love, to meet her true love, away did ride.
2. She met her true love all on the plain
She stepped up to him and bade him stand:
“Stand and deliver unto me
“Or else this moment, or else this moment I'll shoot you dead.”
3. He gave her all his golden store
But still she said, “There is one thing more:
A diamond ring, sir, I've seen you wear;
Make haste and give it, make haste and give it, your life I'll spare.”
4. “This diamond ring is a pledge of love;
My life I'll lose before the ring I'll give.”
Being tender-hearted just like a dove,
She turned around, she turned around and left her love.
Chorus: Sovay Sovay all on a day...
5. One day after these two were seen
Walking together in the garden green,
He spied his watch hanging by her clothes
Which made him blush, made him blush like any rose.
6. “What makes you blush so silly a thing,
I fain would have had your diamond ring.
It was I who robbed you down on the plain
So here's your watch, love, here's your watch and your gold again.”
7. “I did it just for to know
If that you were a true love or no;
But if you'd have given me that ring,” she said,
“I'd have pulled the trigger, I'd have pulled the trigger and shot you dead.”
Chorus: Sovay Sovay all on a day...
STPickrell
And Sovay's beloved slept with one eye open for the rest of his life.
Andrew Roddick
An 18th century English folk song revived by Bert Lloyd in the 1950s and recorded by Martin Carthy some years later. I find Pentangle's version very appealing, especially the modal guitar arrangement. It's one of their first songs I heard and have been listening to it, untiring, for nearly 40 years!
jak855
Love this tune! Wonderful, witty, wicked twist at the end. The Pentangle is one of my favorites. What talent! Thank you for posting this.
Tommy Never
It's an English song about a roving thief (highwayman) who was actually a woman dressed up as a man. Here she confronts her boyfriend in this disguise, and tests his faithfulness by demanding he hand over the ring she gave him. The name "Sovay" is probably derived from "Sophie" or similar. This is an example of the kind of very repetitive but charmingly "primitive" melody found in a lot of surviving English folk songs, with a strong emphasis on tonic and dominant notes.
Rob Holmes
The name Sovay is derived from Sylvia. Which is later the name of the song too.
Chalice Guard
Love Pentangle (and John Renbourn Group). Thank you for uploading their songs!
LOST IN MUSIC
Magnificent and therefore in my World & Folk playlist
MignonJuju
Beautiful! My thanks to you for posting this. I was looking up old folk songs, and this is the first time I've heard Pentangle. I believe I've found a new favorite!
Holly Soules
1. Sovay Sovay all on a day
She dressed herself in man's array
With sword and pistols down by her side
To meet her true love, to meet her true love, away did ride.
2. She met her true love all on the plain
She stepped up to him and bade him stand:
“Stand and deliver unto me
“Or else this moment, or else this moment I'll shoot you dead.”
3. He gave her all his golden store
But still she said, “There is one thing more:
A diamond ring, sir, I've seen you wear;
Make haste and give it, make haste and give it, your life I'll spare.”
4. “This diamond ring is a pledge of love;
My life I'll lose before the ring I'll give.”
Being tender-hearted just like a dove,
She turned around, she turned around and left her love.
Chorus: Sovay Sovay all on a day...
5. One day after these two were seen
Walking together in the garden green,
He spied his watch hanging by her clothes
Which made him blush, made him blush like any rose.
6. “What makes you blush so silly a thing,
I fain would have had your diamond ring.
It was I who robbed you down on the plain
So here's your watch, love, here's your watch and your gold again.”
7. “I did it just for to know
If that you were a true love or no;
But if you'd have given me that ring,” she said,
“I'd have pulled the trigger, I'd have pulled the trigger and shot you dead.”
Chorus: Sovay Sovay all on a day...
ultraworld99
That "very repetitive" and "charmingly primitive melody" is called history and culture stretching back 1000's of years, something which western culture in Australia could only dream of having. :)