EARLY, EARLY IN THE SPRING
Created on 03/04/2021Latest update on 16/10/2023
Artist: Robert Cinnamond
Author: traditional
Label: Topic
Year: 1955
As Twas Early Early All In Spring, Sean O'Boyle recording in Co. Antrim, Ulster. On Cinnamond's Topic album You Rambling Boys Of Pleasure (1975) and on Voice of the People Vol 15 (1998). In 1952 Hamish Henderson recorded a version by Willie Mathieson (as Twas Early Early All In The Spring). Lyrics match late 18th century broadsides entitled The Sea Man's Complaint or The Dissappointed Sailor.
Covers:
- 1960:
Bob Roberts [as The Single Sailor]
- 1962:
Peggy Seeger [as So Early, Early In The Spring; about a sailor leaving his loved one behind and by the time his ship returned she'd married a richer man]
- 1964:
Cyril Tawney [as One Morning In The Spring on the anthology Farewell Nancy: Sea Songs And shanties]
- 1965:
Judy Collins [as So Early, Early In The Spring]
- 1971:
- 2006:
Akron/Family [as One Spring Morning on Rogue's Gallery]
- 2014:
Linde Nijland [as So Early In The Spring]
Vaughan Williams spotted the tune with a singer from Norfolk but lacked noting all the lyrics. His widow finished the job based upon a set spotted by Cecil Sharp in North Carolina. Domestic UK versions from Aberdeen to Somerset.
