Strawberry Fair (song)

Strawberry Fair is an English folk song (Roud Folk Song Index [http://library.efdss.org/cgi-bin/query.cgi?index_roud=on&cross=off&type=Song&access=off&op_9=or&field_9=&op_12=or&field_12=&op_13=or&field_13=&op_14=or&field_14=&op_15=or&field_15=&op_47=or&field_47=&op_16=or&field_16=&op_0=or&field_0=&op_17=or&field_17=&op_10=or&field_10=&op_11=or&field_11=&op_18=or&field_18=&op_19=or&field_19=&op_20=or&field_20=&op_21=or&field_21=&op_22=or&field_22=&op_23=or&field_23=&op_24=or&field_24=&op_5=or&field_5=&op_25=or&field_25=&op_26=or&field_26=&fieldshow=single&op=precise&query=strawberry+fair&field=9&output=Record&length=5&submit=Submit+query 173] ).

The song was collected by H. Fleetwood Sheppard in Broadstone, Devon in 1891. The text may have been re-written by Sabine Baring Gould and Fleetwood Sheppard.

Lyrics

As I was going to Strawberry Fair,Singing, singing, Butter-cups and DaisiesI met a maiden taking her ware,Fol-de-dee!Her eyes were blue and golden her hair,As she went on to Strawberry Fair,Ri-fol, Ri-fol, Tol-de-riddle-li-do,Ri-fol, Ri-fol, Tol-de-riddle-dee.

"Kind Sir, pray pick of my basket!" she said,Singing, &c."My cherries ripe, or my roses red,Fol-de-dee!My strawberries sweet, I can of them spare,As I go on to Strawberry Fair."Ri-fol &c.

I want to purchase a generous heart,Singing, &c.A tongue that neither is nimble or tart.Tol-de-dee!An honest mind, but such trifles are rareI doubt if they're found at Strawberry Fair.Ri-fol &c.

The price I offer, my sweet pretty maidSinging, &c.A ring of gold on your finger displayed,Tol-de-dee!So come- make over to me your ware,In church today at Strawberry Fair.Ri-fol &c.

Versions

*A version was recorded by Anthony Newley (Decca F11295, 1960, "Strawberry Fair/ A Boy Without A Girl") which reached number 3 in the UK Charts. The beginning is the same as the traditional version, but then the rest is altered for humourous effect, for example: "I told her straight / I want a girl with a generous heart / (Singing, singing buttercups and oojahs) / Without a tongue that is wicked or smart / (Foldadee) / And an honest mind but these are rare / I doubt If I'll find 'em at this crummy old fair / (Rifle, Rifle, Tolderiddleay)"

References

*Sabine Baring Gould and H. Fleetwood Sheppard, "Songs of the West", 1905.

External links

* [http://www.folk-network.com/audio/Strawberry_Fair.mid MIDI file]