DESCRIPTION:
Ancient english folk song, believed to date back to the middle ages. Lyrics are mysterious, contradictory or simply fragmented from an original text, forever lost due to the march of time. It was retrieved by folklorist Cecil Sharp in the Appalachian region, about one hundred years ago. The melody was used by Bob Dylan for his "Masters of war". My take was inspired by the Davey Graham and Shirely Collins recording (Folk roots new routes, 1964). I use a McIlroy A35, DADGAD tuning.


Nottamun town

In Nottamun town, not a soul would look up,
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down,
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down,
To show me the way to fair Nottamun town.

I rode a big horse, that was called grey mare,
Grey mane and grey tail, grey stripes down her back,
Grey mane and grey tail, green stripes down her back,
There wa'nt a hair on her but what was coal black.

She stood so still, she threw me to the dirt,
She tore my hide and bruised my shirt.
From saddle to stirrup I mounted again,
And on my ten toes I rode over the plain.

So the King and Queen and the company of men,

A-walking behind and a-riding before

A stark-naked drummer came marching along

With his hands in his bosom a-beating his drum.

Sat down on a hard, cold frozen stone,
Ten thousand square round me, yet I was alone.
Took my hat in my hand to keep my head warm,
Ten thousand got drownded that never was born.