Black Is The Colour

from DAMANTA - Ceol Damanta - (2005) by DAMANTA

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about

"Black Is the Color (of My True Love's Hair)" (Roud 3103) is a traditional folk song first known in the US in the Appalachian Mountains but originating from Scotland, as attributed to the reference to the Clyde in the song's lyrics. The musicologist Alan Lomax supported this Scottish origin, saying that the song was an American "re-make of British materials."[1]

Many different versions of this song exist, some addressed to females and others addressed to males, as well as other differences:

...like some rosy fair... or ...like a rose so fair... or ... something wondrous fair
...the prettiest face and the neatest hands... or ...the sweetest face and the gentlest hands... or ...the clearest eyes and the strongest hands
...still I hope the time will come... or ...some times I wish the day will come... or ... I shall count my life as well begun, when he and I shall be as one.
...you and I shall be as one... or ...s/he and I can be as one...

lyrics

Black is the colour of my true loves hair
His lips are like some roses fair
He has the sweetest smile and the gentlest hands
And I love the ground whereon he stands
I love my love and well he knows
I love the ground whereon he goes
I wish that day would soon come
When he and I can be as one
I go to the Clyde and I mourn and weep
For satisfied I never sleep
I write him letters just a few short lines
And I suffer death ten thousand times
Black is…

credits

from DAMANTA - Ceol Damanta - (2005), released May 1, 2005
Vocals by Elegwen O'Maoileoin

license

about

DAMANTA (Elegwen O'Maoileoin) Vancouver, British Columbia

Damanta is the original Irish/Celtic music project begun by Elegwen O'Maoileoin for the Vancouver CelticFest in 2005, which he opened on the outdoor stage at Granville and Georgia to the pre-parade mob.

Damanta is the Irish word for AWESOME. I know, I know.
That's not true. But it is. You just haven't spoken with enough old, old people in rural Ireland. But that is really how it was once used. ... more