"The Blacksmith" by Cheryl Shantz

A Piano and Instrumental arrangement of the traditional English folksong "The Blacksmith" by composer Cheryl Shantz. The solo Piano version appears in her book "Folksongs for Piano: A Classical Interpretation" (www.kallistimusic.com). The British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, who collected the folksong from the Herefordshire district of England, had a special liking for this sad tune. It is the story of a young woman and a blacksmith. Her love for him is so strong that she feels she would live forever if she was always with him. He leads her on, but then she hears news of his marriage to another and is overcome with anguish and despair. In the final lines, she pours out her grief and wishes God's wrath upon him for deceiving her. To see a listing of other folksong arrangements by Cheryl Shantz, visit the following website: http://cshantz.blogspot.com/ To see a listing of her original song compositions, visit the following website: http://cmshantz.blogspot.com/ For a listing of Cheryl Shantz's compositions for full orchestra visit: http://www.cherylshantz.blogspot.com/ Below are the lyrics to "The Blacksmith." "The Blacksmith"

A blacksmith courted me
Nine months and better
He fairly won my heart
Wrote me a letter.
With his hammer in his hand
He looked so clever
And if I was with my love
I would live forever.

But where is my love gone
With his cheeks like roses
And his good black Billycock on
Decked around with primroses.
I fear the shining sun
May burn and scorch his beauty
And if I was with my love
I would do my duty.

Strange news is come to town
Strange news is carried
Strange news flies up and down
That my love is married.
I wish them both much joy
Though they can't hear me
And may God reward him well
For the slighting of me.

Don't you remember when
You lay beside me
And you said you'd marry me
And not deny me.
If I said I'd marry you
It was only for to try you
So bring your witness love
And I'll not deny you.

No, witness have I none
Save God Almighty
And may he reward you well
For the slighting of me.
Her lips grew pale and wan
It made a poor heart tremble
To think she loved a one
And he proved deceitful.

A blacksmith courted me
Nine months and better
He fairly won my heart
Wrote me a letter.
With his hammer in his hand
He looked so clever
And if I was with my love I would live forever.