An English folk song, the lyrics for "Early One
Morning" can be found in publications as early as
1787. However these often fell under different titles
such as "The Lamenting Maid" or "The Lovesick Maid". As
far as the melody is concerned, this was first printed
in William Chappell's "Collection of National English
Airs" from c.1855-1859. This melody may be derived from
another song "The Forsaken Lover". Chappell wrote in
his later "Popular Music of the Olden Time" :
"If I we...(+)
An English folk song, the lyrics for "Early One
Morning" can be found in publications as early as
1787. However these often fell under different titles
such as "The Lamenting Maid" or "The Lovesick Maid". As
far as the melody is concerned, this was first printed
in William Chappell's "Collection of National English
Airs" from c.1855-1859. This melody may be derived from
another song "The Forsaken Lover". Chappell wrote in
his later "Popular Music of the Olden Time" :
"If I were required to name three of the most popular
songs among the servant-maids of the present
generation, I should say, from my own experience, that
they are Cupid's Garden, I sow'd the seeds of love, and
Early one morning. I have heard Early one morning sung
by servants who came from Leeds, from Hereford and from
Devonshire, and by others from parts nearer to London.
The tune... was, I believe first printed in my
collection.... from one of the penny song-books
collected by Ritson, and it is curious that scarely any
two copies agree beyond the second line, although the
subject is always the same - a damsel's complaint for
the loss of her lover."
The music featured in the opening bars of the "Radio 4
UK Theme" by Fritz Spiegl, which could be heard every
morning at 5.30 am on BBC Radio 4.
SHEET MUSIC