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To Hold a Candle to the Devil

by Halfpence and Haypenny

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1.
In the valley of darkness, I'm walkin alone I've got my heart in a cradle Cause everything's gone all wrong again I might lose my footsteps, my light flicker in the wind But as the dawn will rise, I'll see my way again Trouble on Monday, Tuesday's so cold Gettin' down on the weekend, it won't ease this weary soul Take me back to that place where, life was simple and fine Oh Lord take me back, take me back to that blessed time In the valley of darkness, I'm walkin alone I've got my heart in a cradle Cause everything's gone all wrong again I might lose my footsteps, my light flicker in the wind But as the dawn will rise, I'll see my way again Old habits might cost me, I can't bear to let em go They might be takin' me under, but where else can I go It's gonna take somethin' bigger, than myself to set me free I'm prayin' good lord, I hope your grace can reach me In the valley of darkness, I'm walkin alone I've got my heart in a cradle Cause everything's gone all wrong again I might lose my footsteps, my light flicker in the wind But as the dawn will rise, I'll see my way again In the valley of darkness, I'm walkin alone I've got my heart in a cradle Cause everything's gone all wrong again I might lose my footsteps, my light flicker in the wind But as the dawn will rise, I'll see my way again
2.
Knockin at the window, tappin at the door You hear the clatter of the rattlin bones Give it all up, cause it's all gonna change They'll make a racket till your mamas come home Peices of the puzzle all scattered on the floor You might never come back as you're duckin out the door But the winds gonna blow like ya never known before Make a racket till your mamas come home Knockin at the window, tappin at the door You hear the clatter of the rattlin bones Give it all up, cause it's all gonna change They'll make a racket till your papas come home Tuck yourself away in a quiet little place Oh, just a little rest in the empty space but You know you can't hide without leavin a trace They'll make a racket till your papas come home Knockin at the window, tappin at the door You hear the clatter of the rattlin bones Give it all up, cause it's all gonna change They'll make a racket till you're comin on home Turn around the corner, double back tip it over Still you see it comin lookin over your shoulder Time to give it up cause it's all gonna change They'll make a racket till you're comin' on home Knockin at the window, tappin at the door You hear the clatter of the rattlin bones Give it all up, cause it's all gonna change They'll make a racket till you're comin on home Knockin at the window, tappin at the door You hear the clatter of the rattlin bones Give it all up, cause it's all gonna change They'll make a racket till you're comin on home You feel it in your hands and you feel it in your feet Oh, you feel it in your chest when your heart skips a beat Well it ain't so tidy bein' picked so clean Make a racket till you're comin on home Knockin at the window, tappin at the door You hear the clatter of the rattlin bones Give it all up, cause it's all gonna change They'll make a racket till you're comin on home Knockin at the window, tappin at the door You hear the clatter of the rattlin bones Give it all up, cause it's all gonna change They'll make a racket till you're comin on home
3.
Who are you, me pretty fair maid, Who are you, me honey? Oh who are you, my pretty fair maid, And who are you, me honey? She answered me modestly, I am me mummy's darlin With me Too-ry-ay Fol-de-diddle-day Di-re fol-de-diddle Dai-rie oh Oh will you come to me mammie's house, When the moon is shining clearly? Oh will you come to me mammie's house When the moon is shining clearly? I'll open the door and I'll let you in And divil 'o one would hear us With me Too-ry-ay Fol-de-diddle-day Di-re fol-de-diddle Dai-rie oh So I went to her house in the middle of the night When the moon was shining clearly Oh I went to her house in the middle of the night When the moon was shining clearly She opened the door and she let me in and divil the one did hear us With me Too-ry-ay Fol-de-diddle-day Di-re fol-de-diddle Dai-rie oh She took me horse by the bridle and the bit And led him to the stable She took me horse by the bridle and the bit And led him to the stable Saying "There's plenty of oats for a soldier's horse, To eat them if he's able" With me Too-ry-ay Fol-de-diddle-day Di-re fol-de-diddle Dai-rie oh Then she took me by the lily-white hand Led me to the table Oh she took me now by the lily-white hand and she led me to the table "There's plenty of wine for a soldier boy, To drink if you're able" With me Too-ry-ay Fol-de-diddle-day Di-re fol-de-diddle Dai-rie oh Then she got up and she made the bed Now she made it nice and easy Oh she got up and she made the bed Now she made it nice and easy Oh she got up and she laid me down "I hope to god you're able!" With me Too-ry-ay Fol-de-diddle-day Di-re fol-de-diddle Dai-rie oh And there we lay till the break of day Divil the one did hear us And there we lay till the break of day And divil the one did hear us Then I arose and put on me clothes "Darlin, I must leave you" With me Too-ry-ay Fol-de-diddle-day Di-re fol-de-diddle Dai-rie oh Oh when will you return again And when will we get married? Oh when will you return again And when will we get married? When broken shells make Christmas bells We might well get married With me Too-ry-ay Fol-de-diddle-day Di-re fol-de-diddle Dai-rie oh
4.
Down by the riverbank, early in the morn A fair young maid along a path well worn A basket in her hand, a twinkle in her eye To pick some berries for her grandmother's pie The sun was just a'risin the brambles a'laden She heard the bird song, a sweet serenadin Turnin her head a pretty flower caught her eye A thorn in her finger made the young girl cry Chorus~ Lum da da dai, Dai da da~~~~~~~~~~~Dai da dai da dai There by the bank he heard the tears of the maid One look at the pretty lass his plan was a laid A bundle of his herbs and the shyest of smiles Out stepped the fairy boy his luck did try May I tend to your wound that the black berry made So sincere his look, her hand she gave With eyes of the river and a voice of the wind His touch was cool and a rhyme did he spin Chorus Oh on arrivin home her grandmother did run Gatherin her up in a circle they spun My girl nine days you've been gone without a trace Put her hands on her shoulders, looked her square in the face Oh the wise old woman now she knew right then The dreamy look in her eye, the bundle in her hand Speakin of the mornin she'd been gone for days Lost to the world by the touch of the fae Chorus Well she set right to work, a weavin a charm A thick magic in a ruby oh the spell to disarm Around her neck as she slept for when she woke in the night Down to the river her steps did alight He was there awaitin a sadness in his eyes When he saw the jewel sparkle in the soft moonlight He kissed her on the brow, from the dream she awoke In the mornin sun underneath the sturdy oak Chorus Heartbroken she wept there it seemed forever but the girl was bold and twice as clever This charm I can use for a passin through the veils Come and go as I please, oh, a weave my own tale Chorus
5.
King Henry 05:28
Let never a man a wooing wend That lacketh things three, A store of gold, and open heart, And full of charity; And this was seen of King Henry Though he lay quite alone, For he's taken him to a haunted hall Seven miles from the town. He's chased the deer now him before And the doe down by the den Till the fattest buck in all the flock King Henry he has slain. His huntsmen followed him to the hall To make them burly cheer, When loud the wind was heard to sound And an earthquake rocked the floor. And darkness covered all the hall Where they sat at their meat, The grey dogs, yowling, left their food And crept to Henry's feet. And louder howled the rising wind And burst the fastened door, And in there came a grisly ghost Stramping on the floor. Her head hit the roof-tree of the house, Her middle you could not span, Each frightened huntsman fled the hall And left the king alone, Her teeth were like the tether stakes, Her nose like club or mell, And nothing less she seemed to be Than a fiend that comes form hell. Some meat, some meat you King Henry, Some meat you give to me, Go kill your horse you King Henry And bring him here to me; Oh when he's slain his berry brown steed It made his heart full sore, For she's eaten him up both skin and bone Left nothing but hide and hair. More meat, more meat you King Henry More meat you give to me, Go Kill your greyhounds King Henry And bring them here to me; And when he's slain his good greyhounds, It made his heart full sore, She's eaten them up both skin and bone, Left nothing but hide and hair. More meat, more meat you King Henry More meat you give to me, Go kill your goshawks King Henry And bring them here to me; And when he's slain his gay goshawks, It made his heart full sore, She's eaten them up both skin and bone, Left nothing but feathers bare. Some drink, some drink you King Henry Some drink you give to me, Oh you sew up your horse's hide And bring the drink to me, And he's sewed up the bloody hide A pipe of wine put in, Now she's drank it up all in one draught Left never a drop therein. A bed, a bed oh you King Henry, A bed you'll make for me, Oh you pull the heather green And make it soft for me; And pulled has he the heather green And made for her a bed, And off he's taken his gay mantle And o'er it he has spread. Take off your clothes now King Henry And lie down by my side, Now swear, now swear you King Henry To take me for your bride. Oh God forbid, says King Henry, That ever the like betide, That ever a fiend that comes from hell Should stretch down by my side. When the night was gone and the day was come And the sun shone through the hall, The fairest lady that ever was seen Lay between him and the wall. I've met with many a gentle knight That gave me such a fill, But never before with a courteous knight That gave me all my will
6.
7.
Child Grove 04:47
Upon forgotten years is the tale of the lonely maid Who'd heard of a myth of a wise old crone Find the hidden path and a come upon her dwelling A wish would come to pass that would never be undone Long have I lived a life of burden, so now I'll travel Seek and I will find her, or ever shall I roam Tattered is my dress, how my hair hangs in curtains around me Slaven to this hearth, cursed to live my life alone In time she came upon the cottage, deep within the forest hidden Surely there appeared the old woman of the lore Far have you come, now I ask you what you seek my child This magic it is strong, it can open any door Oh a lover to carry me away in his arms forever Now will you give to me the spell to have my way My dear I can grant you this but warning I will give to you Choose with your heart, or you shall be led astray My parents oh they meant me well, they raised me up to wed a farmer But I'll be leaving that burden far behind Hastily she drank down the potion that the woman gave her Set herself to finding the one who'd be her prize Rushing off she headed for the village just beyond the woods She'd heard of the prince who would visit on this day Oh I know that his riches will lead me to a life of pleasure Nevermore will I have to work my life away Surely now his eyes they fell upon her all a robed in glamour Sinking to his knees, she saw his love struck eyes Ever have I dreamed of a lady who would be my treasure Far have I sought for to take her as my bride He took her hand to claim her, but grief would ever haunt her days For there beyond she saw the one who'd always have her heart Sorrow for a wedding gown would fit this lonely bride to be The loyal knight he was her true love, they'd ever be apart
8.
Well met, well met, my own true love Well met, well met, cried he I've just returned from the salt, salt sea And it's all for the love of thee Come in, come in, my own true love And have a drink with me It's been three quarters of a long, long year Since together we have been No I can't come in, I can't sit down I have but a moment's time They say that you're married to a house carpenter And your love it will never be mine I could have married the king's daughter dear So free she was with me But I have forsaken her crowns and her gold And its all for the love of thee Well, if you could have married The king's daughter dear I'm sure you are to blame For I am married to a house carpenter And I'm sure he's a fine young man Oh, will you forsake your house carpenter And go along with me? I'll take you to where the grass grows green To the banks of the sweet Dundee Well, if I forsake upon my house carpenter And go along with thee What have you there to support me with And keep me from slavery? Well I have six ships they will soon be on land And seven more at see Three hundred ten all bold sailor men At your command shall be She picked up her tiny little babe And kisses gave him three Sayin, "Stay right here my darlin little babe, And keep your papa company" She dressed herself in a suit of red Her maiden waist in green And every town that she passed by They took her to be some queen They'd not been on that ship two weeks Oh I swear now it was not three When she spied his cloven foot And began to weep most bitterly Oh, are you weepin for your house and your land Or are you weepin for your store Or are you weepin for that house carpenter That I am sure you will see no more No I'm not weepin for my house and my land Oh, I'm not weepin for my store Oh I am weepin for that darlin little babe That I never will see no more Well, they'd not been on that ship three weeks I'm sure it was not four When that ship well it sprang a leak And it drifted to the dark sea floor What are those hills over yonder my love They look as white as the snow Those are the hills of heaven my dear That you and I will never know What are those hills over yonder my love They look as black as the night Those are the hills of hellfire my dear Where you and I will unite Oh I wish that I was with my house carpenter I am sure he would treat me well Here I am in the raging sea My soul it is bound for hell Well met, Well met, oh my own true love Well me, well met, cried she I've just returned from the salt, salt sea And it's all for the love of thee Oh, it's all for the love of thee
9.
Curtain Fall 03:14
Don't you want to be a sparklin child We'll undo all the little knots we tie We'll let the racket tumble out If I linger in the shadow of a doubt I'll Tip a penny in the fountain and let the curtain fall Paint you in a brush that I've dipped in gold My dear I see you startin to unfold You caught me in an awkward smile my Thoughts may linger on awhile This is why my tounge got tied I let the curtain fall Maybe in the later afternoon I'll let a little thought reach right up, to the moon You tell me that you have a plan to Furnish a gypsy van We'll make a good rock and roll band Lets let the curtain fall Now I see you standin at my door I try to figure out why you've got those clothes all on I want to see you bear it all We're tender behind the walls Won't you meet the best of me Let's let the curtain fall Out on the road we're free to fly My dog is in the back and now we're passin by Oh right on by We're headed to the open spaces Curing up the lonely places I've had enough of common place Let's let the curtain fall In the morning I could cry You come over and dry my eyes You're sweeter than pumpkin pie Let's let the curtain fall
10.
Way deep down in the greenwood, oh A-rap, tap, tapping on a window A young blade and a ramblin boy A-crossed the wide river to go The river was wide, the river was deep And all within the cottage seemed asleep By and by, a young girl came Blinking sleep from her dark eye She put her finger to her lip So young and yet not so shy The river and deep, the river and wide He went to the scullery and step inside I tell to ye a rovin' tale Or recite to you a fable If you will give to me some bread And a little hot soup if you're able The river is wide, the river is deep The ferryman my father is asleep Then she put on a cloak of wool And a pair of fine boots of deerskin Lowering her pretty dark eye When he caught a glimpse of her fair skin The river is wide, the river is deep The ferryman my father is asleep He laid her down in the greenwood, oh Squirrel and a rabbit did a-scamper He sang her the ancient a-roving tale And melody did enchant her The river is wide, the river is deep The ferryman her father lay asleep They bid farewell by the riverbank He looked long into her dark eye An otter splashed and quickly sank Greylag goose in the gray sky The river is wide, the river is deep The ferryman her father lay asleep
11.
Darlin' Cora 04:26
Wake up, wake up Darlin Cora What makes you sleep so sound Those highway robbers are comin Just to tear your still house down The first time I saw Darlin Cora She was standin in the door Her shoes and her stockings in her hand Her feet are all over the floor Go away from me Darlin Cora Quit hanging around my bed You pretty women run me distracted Your corn liquor's killin me dead Oh the next time I saw Darlin Cora She was standin by the banks of the sea She had two pistols strapped around her body And a banjo on her knee Last night I lay on my pillow Last night I lay on my bed Last night I lay on my pillow And I dreamed my Darlin Cora was dead Oh the last time I saw Darlin Cora She'd a wine glass in her hand She was drinkin the cold pizen liquor With a low down sorry man Go dig me a hole in the meadow A hole in the cold, cold ground Go dig me a hole in the meadow Just to lay my Darlin Cora down Don't you hear them bluebirds singin They're singin that mournful sound They're preaching at Darlin' Cora's funeral In the lonesome graveyard ground Wake up, wake up Darlin' Cora What makes you sleep so sound Those highway robbers are comin Just to tear your still house down

about

Produced by Halfpence and Haypenny
Engineered and Mixed by Alex and Jhon Renoir
Artwork by Eva Riihiluoma

Eva Riihiluoma~ vocals, classical guitar, mandola, bodhran, octave mandolin

Sage Arias~ mandola, Irish bouzouki, hurdy gurdy, banjo

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released December 7, 2014

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Halfpence and Haypenny Nevada City, California

Vintage music in the tradition of the Old World bardic minstrels. Renditions and original music, from sultry and haunted to soulful revelation.

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