Delapre abbey, Northampton, was the inspiration behind this song. During Henry VIII reign he sought to remove the wealth power and influenece, that Catholic (Papal) establishments possessed. It was called the English reformation.
Our song follows the struggles of Clementina, the last Abbess of Delapre, as she fought to stop Henry from taking her Abbey and lands.
lyrics
Whitethroat and blackcap come sing me to rest
when I am weary, take me to your breast
fill the wide air with your chattering song
Dear sweet green meadow
It's for you that I long
Down in the meadow my true love lies
Yarrow and Kingcup are all I desire
Soft grass and raindrops the riches I crave
My darling my meadow,
teach me your ways
Of the meadow
Of the meadow
Red Kite and Kestrel circle the sky
Henry is greedy, there's gold in his eye
He'll melt us all down to be weighed on the scale
and measure my meadow
By rod and by rail
Of the meadow
Of the meadow
I'll fight for my meadow, I'll swoop and I'll soar
to keep from the richest the land of the poor
Blackcap and Whitethroat will fight by my side
My true love, my meadow
O'er you I preside
Of the meadow
Of the meadow
Stonechat and Goldcrest of the meadow are born
Scatter and fly o'er the old abbey walls
Think of me sisters, when you're on the wing
Our true love, our meadow
It's of you that we sing.
Of the meadow
Of the meadow
Of the meadow
Of the meadow.
credits
from Fortune and Folly,
released March 6, 2019
Arrangement - Gary Painting
Words - Kate Beresford
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