From Bow Triplets' new CD 'Fair Play to You', audio release in August 2006. By Sydney Carter
ballads
folk
songs
celtic
irish
fiddle
bluegrass
world
reels
jigs
riverdance
bow triplets
uilleann pipes
brendan wade
Story behind the song
This is a great song about an English priest who took a prominent part in the peasant revolt in 1381. Taken prisoner at Coventry he was executed in the presence of Richard II. on the I5th day of July 1381.
Bow Triplets heard it performed once during a Burntwood folk festival in Staffordshire, summer 2002. Helen, Lynda and Maggie of the trio “Grace Notes” did a great job of singing it a capella.
We decided to sing Grace Notes’ version of the song and even though we originally heard it sung by three women, it ended up as a men’s choire on this CD, sung by Stef, Andreas and Brendan.
Lyrics
John Ball (Sydney Carter)
Who’ll be the lady, who will be the lord
When we are ruled by the love of one another
Who’ll be the lady, who will be the lord
In the life that is coming in the morning
Chorus
Sing, John Ball and tell it to them all
Long live the day that is dawning
And I'll crow like a cock, I'll carol like a lark
For the life that is coming in the morning
Eve is the lady, Adam is the lord
When we are ruled by the love of one another
Eve is the lady, Adam is the lord
In the life that is coming in the morning
Chorus…
All shall be ruled by fellowship I say
All shall be ruled by the love of one another
All shall be ruled by fellowship I say
In the life that is coming in the morning
Chorus…
Labour and spin for fellowship I say
Labour and spin for the love of one another
Labour and spin for fellowship I say
And the life that is coming in the morning
Chorus…2x