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Alexander

from "Rule of Thumb" by Sean Smith

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From the repertoire of the inimitable Eddie Butcher, a traditional singer from County Derry in Northern Ireland.

lyrics

Oh, it’s don’t you know the reason, love, this night that I am here?
It is in order to obtain the love of you, my dear.

Your sweet celestial charms have wounded quite my brain,
Your skin is whiter than the swan swims o’er yon purling stream.

You are tall, genteel and handsome, you are modest, mild and free
And as the lodestone varies you draw the heart from me.

The reason my love scorns me it is because I'm poor
But I have all that I'm allowed I cannot ask for more.

She thinks she’s of a noble birth, me of a mean degree,
But I am come from Adam’s race, my dear, as well as thee.

Don’t fix your mind on riches, love, nor such yon worldly store
But think on Alexander and you’ll love me all the more.

For when he'd conquered all the world he sat down and wept full sore
For there was just but the one world and he could gain no more.

I will travel to Mount Hareb where Noah’s ark does stand,
Likewise to Mount Albareen wall for to view the land.

I never will quit roving as long as I've a shoe
And like some wounded lover, my dear, I'll mourn the loss of you.

To his sorrowful lamentations, to her true love she gave ear,
She took him in her arms and embraced him as her dear.

And now they have got married, the truth I will unfold
Her father has bestowed on them 500 pounds in gold.

credits

from "Rule of Thumb", released November 6, 2017

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Sean T. Smith Boston, Massachusetts

Sean Smith has been playing folk music since his teens, with a focus on the traditions of Ireland, Scotland and England in particular. He's been active in the Greater Boston music scene since the early '80s, and been part of numerous collaborations. He also writes about music for BostonIrish.com, helps organize an annual Celtic music festival, and has been known to drink Ballantine Ale. ... more

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