This song is said to have been originally a
poem about the Virgin Mary which was
re-written around 1600.
I first heard the
song sung by Maddy prior, before
finding this text in the book "Marrowbones",
where it is described as 'A much condensed
version of ... "The Constant Lover"'.
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Come all you maids who live at a distance
Many a mile from off your swain
Come and assist me this very moment
For to pass away some time
Singing sweetly and completely
Songs of pleasure and of love
For my heart is with him altogether
Though I live not where I love
When I sleep I dream about him
When I wake I find no rest
For every moment thinking of him
My heart ever in his breast
Although far distance may be of assistance
From my mind his love to remove
But my heart is with him altogether
Though I live not where I love
May all the world be of one religion
All living things shall cease to die
If ever I prove false to my jewel
Or any way his love deny
The world may change and be most strange
If ever I my love remove
For my heart is with him altogether
Though I live not where I love
So farewell lads and farewell lasses
Now I think I've got my choice
I will away to yonder mountain
Where I think I hear his voice
And if he holler I will follow
Through the world though it be so wide
For fair Thomas he did promise
I should be his lawful bride
Come all you maids who live at a distance
Many a mile from off your swain
Come and assist me this very moment
For to pass away some time
Singing sweetly and completely
Songs of pleasure and of love
For my heart is with him altogether
Though I live not where I love |
Here is a version atributed to Martin Parker,
written around 1630:
Loyal lovers, that are distant
From your sweethearts, many a mile,
Pray come and help me at this instant
In mirth to spend away the while
Singing sweetly and completely
In commendation of my love
Resolving ever to part never
Though I live not where I love
My constancy shall ne'er be failing
Whatso'er betide me here,
Of her virtue I'll be telling
Be my biding far or near
And though blind fortune prove uncertain
From her presence me to remove
Yet I'll be constant every instant
Though I live not where I love
Thouh our bodies thus are parted,
And asunder many a mile,
Yet I vow to be true-hearted
And be faithful all the while.
Though with mine eye I cannot spy
For distance great my dearest love,
My heart is with her all together
Though I live not where I love
The birds shall leave their airy region
The fishes in the air shall fly,
All the world shall be one religion
All living things shall cease to die
All things shall change to shapes most
strange,
Above that I disloyal prove,
Or any way my love decay,
Though I live not where I love |