Debra Cowan - Cruel Was My Father Lyrics
I had learned a version of this called “In the Month of January” that was collected by Peter Kennedy from Sarah Makem. To me, Makem's tune was always hauntingly beautiful, but the story never quite made sense. Many years later I found another version of the song in the Helen Hartness Flanders Collection, sung by Mrs. Christine Henry of Providence, RI. We decided to put Mrs. Henry's lyrics to Mrs. Makem's tune to give this sad tale a setting that befits it.lyrics‘Twas on a frosty morning the snow lay on the groundA fair maid was walking a few miles out of townA few miles out of town against the winter's frost and snowShe had a baby in her arms she had nowhere to goO cruel was my mother she barred the door to meAnd cruel was my father for I know he kept the keyCruel was that winter's night that pierced my heart with coldBut crueler was the false young man who sold his love for goldShe came unto to a lonely grove and there she did kneel downShe prayed unto her Saviour dear for mercy on her soulShe kissed her little baby’s lips and laid it by her sideShe raised her eyes to heaven aboveAnd then laid down and diedEarly the next morning this fair maid was foundHer little baby’s fingers were frozen to the groundWhen her mother heard of this, she wrung her hands and she criedIt was for her father’s cruelty that caused them both to dieSo come all ye pretty fair maids a warning take by meNever try to build your nest at the top of any treeFor the leaves they will wither and the roots they will decayAnd the beauty of a fair young maid it soon will fade away
