The Nobleman's Wedding
| TYPE | 3 - Complex Melody |
| TOPIC | Love |
| TUNE STRUCTURE | abb'a (2 bars) |
| VERSE STRUCTURE | 7v 4l |
| TIME SIGNATURE | C |
| KEY SIGNATURE | ♭ |
| TONAL CENTRE | F |
| INCIPIT | GGBD'E'D'D'BGBA |
| GENRE | Ballad |
| TEXT SOURCE | P.W. Joyce, Old Irish Folk Music (Dublin: Hodges Figgis, 1909), pp.224-5 |
| TUNE SOURCE | as above |
| FIRST LINE | Once I was invited to a nobleman's wedding. |
| NOTATED INCIPIT | |
| Joyce states that this was a favourite song from his childhood. Although Petrie published the air and a set of the words (1855), he took these from Joyce. Joyce would later correct Petrie's discussion of his sources. For these reasons we have chosen Joyce's setting for the database. | |
The Nobleman's WeddingOnce I was invited to a nobleman's wedding.She was a young virgin that proved unkind:And now that she's married she thinks on her lossesHer former true lover still runs in her mind.The supper being ended and all things being ready,The bridegroom and bride stood among the nobles all;And scarcely the words of the marriage rite were spoken,When her former true lover appeared in the hall."How can you lie on another man's pillow.You that were a true love of mine so long?Now you have left me to wear green willow,Quite broken-hearted for your sake alone."Here is a ring, like your vows it is broken;Here it is back for you again;You gave it to me as a true lover's token,But now it no longer with me shall remain!"The bride as she sat at the head of the table,Each word that he spoke she marked it right well;To bear it longer she was quite unable,And down at the bridegroom's feet she fell."Here is just one request that I ask for,It is the first and the very last to be,To sleep this one night along with my mother,And ever ever after along with thee."This one request it was granted her fairly,Sighing and sobbing she went to her bed;The very next morning, early full early.They rose and they found this young bride was dead.