Annotation:Waters of Tyne (The)

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WATERS OF TYNE, THE. English, Air and Waltz (3/4 time). D major. Standard tuning (fiddle). One part. The song appears in Thomas & George Allan's Allan's Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings (1891) who sourced it to John Bell's Rhymes of Northern Bards (1812, p. 241).

I cannot get tae my love if I would dee,
For the waters of Tyne run between him and me;
And here I maun stand wi a tear in my ee,
All sighin' and sobbin', my true love to see.

Oh where is the boatman, my bonny hinney,
Oh where is the boatman, go bring him to me;
For to ferry me over the Tyne to my honey,
Or speed him across the rough waters to me.

Oh bring me a boatman, I'll gi all my money,
And you for your trouble rewarded shall be;
If you'll carry me over the Tyne to my honey,
And I will remember the boatman and thee.

I cannot get tae my love if I would dee,
For the waters of Tyne run between him and me;
And here I maun stand wi a tear in my ee,
All sighin' and sobbin', my true love to see.

Sir C. Sharpe, quoted by the Allans, wrote:

The Tyne divides the counties of Durham and Northumberland, and as one of the parties was evidently on the Durham side of the river, this song may be justly admitted into the 'Garland'. A blue stone marks the boundaries of the counties on Newcastle Bridge and one-third of it is supported by and belongs to the Bishoprick.

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; p. 134.

Recorded sources: Grasmere Records, Yetties - "Rolling Home to England" (2001). Transatlantic TRA 110, Ian Campbell Folk Group - "This Is the Ian Campbell Folk Group!" (1963).

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