We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The ballad of Sarah Gray

from The drowned lover and other dark tales by Paul James

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      €0.80 EUR  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Compact disc with gatefold digi-pack sleeve and 4 page colour information booklet. Designed by Joe James with original artwork by Robin and Bryony Spiers and photography by Jeremy Prout.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The drowned lover and other dark tales via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      €10 EUR or more 

     

about

Traditional English folk song with additional music composed and arranged by Paul James.

lyrics

I'll sing you a song about two young lovers,
Who from Lichfield town they came,
The young man's name was William Taylor,
The maiden’s name was Sarah Gray.

William Taylor, he enlisted,
For a soldier he has gone,
He’s gone and left his own true lover,
For to sigh and for to mourn.

Sarah’s parents, they did despise her,
They filled her heart with grief and woe,
And then at last she vowed and told them,
For a soldier she would go.

She's dressed herself in man's apparel.
Man's apparel she put on,
To go and seek her own true lover,
For to find him she has gone.

One day as she was exercising,
Exercising with the rest,
A silver chain fell from her waistcoat,
And exposed her lily-white breast.

The Sergeant Major he came up to her,
Asked of her what brought her here,
"I've come to seek my own true lover,
Who has proved to me so dear".

"If you've come to seek your own lover
Pray tell to me his name",
"His name, it is Bold William Taylor,
And from Lichfield town he came".

"If his name is William Taylor,
William Taylor he’s not here,
He lately married a rich young lady
Worth ten thousand pound a year."

"If you rise early in the morning,
Just before the break of day,
There you will see Bold William Taylor,
A-walking with his lady fair"

She called out for sword and pistol,
Sword and pistol she put on,
She’s fired and shot bold William Taylor,
With his bride at his right hand.

credits

from The drowned lover and other dark tales, track released January 9, 2016
Paul James – vocals, bass guitar, moog bass, drums, drum programming, organ, piano, saxophones, schawms / Victor Nicholls – electric guitars.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Paul James Heuvelland, Belgium

Paul James is a saxophonist, bagpiper and singer from Newbury, England, who composes, arranges and performs music influenced by English and other European folk traditions.

Paul is a member of the band Blowzabella, and plays with his pan-European band Evening Star, the folk dance band The Playford Liberation Front and composes music for theatre, film and TV.
... more

contact / help

Contact Paul James

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

If you like Paul James, you may also like: