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THE NON-WORKS
of
SAMUEL TYLDSLEY
 
 

CHAPTER 5

      This ballad was found among notes for a magazine article which was never finished.  The folder¹²  was dated 1965, June.  It should be noted, however, that Tyldsley filed such material by deadline when the work had been commissioned and by subject matter when it was unsolicited.
        This piece was probably written while Tyldsley was working on Sunday Memories but before he had started Gilded Dreams.¹³
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  Dance ye maids gayly.
  swing thy hips freely.
  Let no heart be still
  until first light of day.
 
 
 

                                          Hither rides Mary,
                                          from yonder valley;
                                          no spouse hath she
                                          to protect her from ill.
                                          She fears no ills,
                                          nay, comes hither to seek them.
                                          What will she do when
                                                         she grows old and grey?

                                          Hither rides Mary
                                          to this town of Essex.
                                          Seeketh she here
                                          a man of well means.
                                          She walketh no streets
                                          nor frequents our taverns,
                                          direct to our banker
                                                          she soon makes her way.

                                          Banker Mark Swithen
                                          so asks her her business,
                                          seeing full well
                                          her beauty so fair.
                                          She sayeth to him,
                                          "I have land for to mortgage
                                          or sell as it please thee
                                                           once thou hast surveyed."

                                          Hither rides Mary
                                          with our banker Swithen,
                                          returning they now
                                          from viewing her land.
                                          He purchased the deed
                                          and asks for the bargain,
                                          mightn't she please
                                                             to dine with him this day?

                                          Dinner - come breakfast
                                          they yet lie together;
                                          thus they begin
                                          their uncourtly love.
                                          Our Markus has longed
                                          e'er so much for a loved one,
                                          with stars in his eyes
                                                              he begs her to stay.

                                          Henceforth a bride
                                          becomes our sweet Mary.
                                          One final toast
                                          on her wedding night
                                          makes her a widow,
                                          though faultless the vineyard.
                                          Alone lies poor Swithen;
                                                               affection betrayed.

                                           Poor bereaved widow
                                           plays our glad Mary.
                                           Memories here
                                           persuade her to leave.
                                           Far o'er the sea
                                           to a village in Norway,
                                           merrily spending,
                                                                she'll grow old and grey.
 
 
 

  Dance ye maids gayly.
  Swing thy hips freely.
  Let no heart be still
  until first light of day.
 
 

        The music playing is "She's Like The Swallow".  It was sequenced by Barry Taylor and can be found at  The Midi Music Page.