England So Green

This week's song is sung by Anne Gregson and is part of a wider project that she'll tell you about below:

The song England so Green is part of a recently composed folk-inspired opera called Make Room for Mummers, which is based on the play performed by Widcombe Mummers from Bath. The opera will be performed by the Fiery Dragon Folk Opera Company. I'm leading the song here but in the opera it will be sung as a duet between Tim Graham (as St George) and Rosie Atkins (as the Princess).

Narrated in song by the legendary King Bladud, who founded the city of Bath and his fair Queen, Mrs Bladud, Make Room for Mummers tells the story of a brave knight called George and the beautiful Egyptian Princess who is hunted by a dreadful fiery Dragon, another brave but unfortunate knight called Bold Slasher, and a doctor who is so skilled that he can bring the dead back to life again.

The opera will be performed as a special event at Chippenham Folk Festival on either the 3rd or 4th of June and also at the Michael Tippett Centre of Bath Spa University on the 8th June. For more information see www.fierydragon.org.uk

Anne

Oh will you come along with me?
Far away across the sea
To a land that's always green
I'll take you to old England

England so green
England so green
The greenest land you've ever seen
England so green
England so green
I'll take you to old England

Oh good sir night if I may be correct
You stand so tall, so wonderfully (ahem) erect
And although strong and warlike you may seem
You are the answer to my marital scheme

England so green
England so green
The greenest land you've ever seen
England so green
England so green
Take me to old England

Where the grass is always green
And our lives will be a dream
I'll be King and you'll be queen
When we're in old England

England so green
England so green
The greenest land you've ever seen
England so green
England so green
When we're in old England

There's a lovely valley can be seen
From my castle can be seen
With a lake and rippling stream
Back in dear old land

England so green
England so green
The greenest land you've ever seen
England so green
England so green
Back in dear old England

So my darling take my hand
To this green and pleasant land
Where my castle's rather grand
You will love old England

England so green
England so green
The greenest land you've ever seen
England so green
England so green
You will love old England

England so green
England so green
The greenest land you've ever seen
England so green
England so green
You will love old England