The Snows They Melt the Soonest
Encyclopedia
"The Snows They Melt the Soonest" is a British folk
song dating back at least as far as 1821. It was mentioned, along with the lyrics, in Blackwood's Magazine (Edinburgh) of that year.
(1790–1870), who put it to a melody ("My Love is Newly Listed") learned from a Newcastle
street singer. Thomas Doubleday was a radical agitator who often contributed to Blackwood's.
The singer Anne Briggs
first popularized the song in the 1960s and recorded it in 1971. It was later learned by Archie Fisher
who passed it on to Dick Gaughan
. Gaughan recorded it on his Handful of Earth album, the success of which further popularized the song.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
song dating back at least as far as 1821. It was mentioned, along with the lyrics, in Blackwood's Magazine (Edinburgh) of that year.
History
The melody was printed in Bruce and Stokoe's Northumbrian Minstrelsy in 1882, which also mentioned its publication in 1821 and noted that the contributor of the song was Thomas DoubledayThomas Doubleday
Thomas Doubleday was an English politician and author born in Newcastle-on-Tyne.In early life he adopted the views of William Cobbett, and was active in promoting the agitation which resulted in the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832...
(1790–1870), who put it to a melody ("My Love is Newly Listed") learned from a Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
street singer. Thomas Doubleday was a radical agitator who often contributed to Blackwood's.
The singer Anne Briggs
Anne Briggs
Anne Briggs is an English folk singer. Although she traveled widely in the 1960s and early 1970s, appearing at folk clubs and venues in England and Ireland, she never aspired to commercial success or to achieve widespread public acknowledgment of her music...
first popularized the song in the 1960s and recorded it in 1971. It was later learned by Archie Fisher
Archie Fisher
Archie Fisher MBE is a Scottish folk singer and song writer.-The early years:Archie Fisher was born in Glasgow on 23 October 1939 into a large singing family. His sister Cilla Fisher is also a professional singer, as was his late sister Ray. In 1960 he moved to Edinburgh and appeared regularly at...
who passed it on to Dick Gaughan
Dick Gaughan
Richard Peter Gaughan usually known as Dick Gaughan is a Scottish musician, singer, and songwriter, particularly of folk and social protest songs.-Early years:...
. Gaughan recorded it on his Handful of Earth album, the success of which further popularized the song.
Lyrics
The original lyrics as printed in Blackwood's Magazine, 1821, are:- O, the snow it melts the soonest when the winds begin to sing;
- And the corn it ripens fastest when the frosts are setting in;
- And when a woman tells me that my face she'll soon forget,
- Before we part, I wad a crown, she's fain to follow't yet.
- The snow it melts the soonest when the wind begins to sing;
- And the swallow skims without a thought as long as it is spring;
- But when spring goes, and winter blows, my lass, an ye'll be fain,
- For all your pride, to follow me, were't cross the stormy main.
- O, the snow it melts the soonest when the wind begins to sing;
- The bee that flew when summer shined, in winter cannot sting;
- I've seen a woman's anger melt between the night and morn,
- And it's surely not a harder thing to tame a woman's scorn.
- O, never say me farewell here -no farewell I'll receive,
- For you shall set me to the stile, and kiss and take your leave;
- But I'll stay here till the woodcock comes, and the martlet takes his wing,
- Since the snow aye melts the soonest, lass, when the wind begins to sing.
Recordings
- Archie FisherArchie FisherArchie Fisher MBE is a Scottish folk singer and song writer.-The early years:Archie Fisher was born in Glasgow on 23 October 1939 into a large singing family. His sister Cilla Fisher is also a professional singer, as was his late sister Ray. In 1960 he moved to Edinburgh and appeared regularly at...
, Archie Fisher (1968) - Anne BriggsAnne BriggsAnne Briggs is an English folk singer. Although she traveled widely in the 1960s and early 1970s, appearing at folk clubs and venues in England and Ireland, she never aspired to commercial success or to achieve widespread public acknowledgment of her music...
, Anne Briggs, Topic 12T207 (April 1971) - PentanglePentangle (band)Pentangle are a British folk rock band with some folk jazz influences. The original band were active in the late 1960s and early 1970s and a later version has been active since the early 1980s...
, Solomon's SealSolomon's Seal (album)Solomon's Seal was an album recorded in 1972 by folk-rock band Pentangle: Terry Cox, Bert Jansch, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn and Danny Thompson. It was the last album recorded by the original Pentangle line-up, before the band split in 1973. Jacqui McShee has stated that it is her favourite...
(1972) - HorslipsHorslipsHorslips are an Irish Celtic rock band that compose, arrange and perform songs based on traditional Irish jigs and reels. The group are regarded as 'founding fathers of Celtic rock' for their fusion of traditional Irish music with rock music and went on to inspire many local and international acts....
, Drive the Cold Winter Away (1975) - The Furey FamilyThe FureysThe Fureys are an Irish male folk band of four brothers - Eddie, Finbar, Paul and George, from Ballyfermot, Dublin. They have also been credited as The Fureys and Davey Arthur.The group formed in 1978 and consisted initially of four brothers....
, without title (recorded 1975, released 1977) - Dick GaughanDick GaughanRichard Peter Gaughan usually known as Dick Gaughan is a Scottish musician, singer, and songwriter, particularly of folk and social protest songs.-Early years:...
, Handful of Earth, (Topic 12TS419) (1981) - Christine Kydd, Heading Home (Fellside FECD93) (1993)
- John RenbournJohn RenbournJohn Renbourn is an English guitarist and songwriter. He is possibly best known for his collaboration with guitarist Bert Jansch as well as his work with the folk group Pentangle, although he maintained a solo career before, during and after that band's existence .While most commonly labelled a...
& Robin WilliamsonRobin WilliamsonRobin Williamson is a Scottish multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, songwriter and storyteller, who first made his name as a founder member of The Incredible String Band.-Career:...
, Wheel of Fortune (1993) - Old Blind DogsOld Blind DogsOld Blind Dogs is a Scottish musical group which plays traditional Scottish folk music and Celtic music, with influences from rock, reggae, jazz, blues and Middle Eastern music rhythms...
, Legacy (Old Blind Dogs album (1995) - James Yorkston and the Athletes, Just Beyond the RiverJust Beyond the RiverJust Beyond the River is an album by James Yorkston and the Athletes.Released in October 2004, Just Beyond the River is the second studio album by James Yorkston and the Athletes. The album was released on 12" vinyl and on CD, initial copies of the CD came with a 3-track CD of folk standards and...
(2004) - Cara DillonCara DillonCara Dillon is an Irish folk singer. In 2001, she launched her career as a solo artist in the UK with the eponymous Cara Dillon album...
, After the morning (2006) - Sting, If On a Winter's Night... (2009)