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ENGLISH SONG AND BALLAD MUSIC. |
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MAD ROBIN.
This tune is in The Dancing Master of 1686 (additional sheet), and in all later editions. Also in Polly, 1728 ; The Lovers' Opera, 1729; The Stage Mutineers, 1733 ; and many other ballad-operas.
" 'Tis but a day or two ago since our mistress turn'd away her old servant, because he would not play Mad Robin, which the organist has promised to do. I will say that for him, the old organist was an excellent musician, but somewhat of a huÂmourist; he would have his own way, and play his own tunes."—History of Robert Pomel, the Puppet-showman, 8vo., 1715.
I have not succeeded in finding the song of Mad Robin, and have therefore taken the first and last stanzas of a ballad contained in a manuscript of the time of James I., now in the possession of Mr. Payne Collier. I have no authority for coupling them with the tune, but prefer those old words to any written expressly to the air in the ballad-operas. |
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Winter's cold, or summer's heat, Autumn's tempests on it beat, It can never know defeat, Never can rebel: |
Such the love that I would gain, Such love, I tell thee plain, Thou must give, or woo in vain, So, to thee, farewell. |
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