Willy O'Winsbury Lyrics And Guitar Chords
This is a traditional Scottish song [ lyrics ] which was Recorded by Andy Irvine and sweeney's men along with Pentangle, Anne Briggs and Ye Vagabonds. The sheet music and tin whistle notes are included in a few different keys.Willie O' Winsbury mandolin / tenor banjo tab included.
"Willy O' Winsbury" is a traditional Scottish and English folk ballad (Child Ballad #100) that tells a story of love, beauty, and defiance of authority. The song has been recorded by many folk artists, including Anne Briggs, Pentangle, and , Fairport Convention.
Plot SummaryThe ballad typically follows this storyline:
Themes and Interpretations
VariationsDifferent versions of the song may feature altered details, such as the king’s offer of marriage to Willy or changing the daughter’s role to be more passive or assertive. Some versions also emphasize themes of loyalty and forgiveness.
This ballad is beloved for its haunting melody and the romantic, timeless story it tells.
Plot SummaryThe ballad typically follows this storyline:
- The King's Return:
A king (or lord, depending on the version) returns from a long absence and discovers that his daughter is pregnant. - Confrontation:
Furious, the king demands to know who the father is. His daughter confesses that it is Willy O' Winsbury, a man of low birth (sometimes described as a servant or commoner). - Willy’s Beauty:
When Willy is summoned, the king's anger quickly turns to admiration because Willy is described as extraordinarily handsome:
"And the king he has stood at his daughter's side / And admired young Willy's beauty bright." - Resolution:
Moved by Willy’s beauty or perhaps his noble demeanor, the king not only forgives him but also often offers him wealth, status, or marriage to his daughter.
Themes and Interpretations
- Defiance of Social Norms:
The ballad highlights a romance that crosses social class boundaries. Despite being of lower status, Willy’s beauty and character make him worthy in the eyes of the king. - Transformation of Anger to Admiration:
The king’s initial rage softens when he sees Willy. This can symbolize a shift in power dynamics or the recognition that love transcends class and social status. - Female Agency:
The daughter’s confession and refusal to deny her love for Willy show an element of autonomy. In many versions, she is portrayed as determined and unwavering in her loyalty to him. - Beauty and Redemption:
Willy’s beauty and charm become the key to resolving the conflict, a theme common in folklore where outward appearance reflects inner virtue or worthiness.
VariationsDifferent versions of the song may feature altered details, such as the king’s offer of marriage to Willy or changing the daughter’s role to be more passive or assertive. Some versions also emphasize themes of loyalty and forgiveness.
This ballad is beloved for its haunting melody and the romantic, timeless story it tells.
Willy O'Winsbury guitar tab notes in C Major
guitar tab in D Major
(D)The king has (A)been a poor pris(E)oner
And a(D) prisoner (E)long in (D)Spain
And (A)Willie (D)of the (A)Winsbu(Bm)ry
Has(D) lain long with his (E)daughter at (D)home
"What ails you, what ails you, my daughter dear
Why you look so pale and wan
Have you had any sore sickness
Or yet been sleeping with a man?"
"I have not had any sore sickness
Nor yet been sleeping with a man
It is for you, my father dear,
For biding so long in Spain"
"Cast off, cast off your berry-brown gown
Stand naked on the stone
That I may know you by your shape
If you be a maiden or none"
So she cast off her berry-brown gown
Stood naked on the stone
Her apron was low, her haunches round
Her face was pale and wan
"Oh is he a lord or a duke or a knight
Or a man of birth and fame
Or was it with one of my serving men
That's lately come out of Spain?"
"No it wasn't with a lord or a duke or a knight
Nor a man of birth and fame
But it was with Willie of Winsbury
I could bide no longer alone"
The king has called on his merry men all
By thirty and by three
Saying "Fetch me this Willie of Winsbury
For hanged he shall be"
But when he came the king before
He was clad all in the red silk
His hair was like the strands of gold
His skin was as white as the milk
"And it is no wonder," said the king
"That my daughter's love you did win
For if I was a woman, as I am a man
My bedfellow you would have been"
"Now will you marry my daughter Janet
By the truth of your right hand?
Oh will you marry my daughter Janet
I'll make you lord of my land"
"Well yes, I'll marry your daughter Janet
By the truth of my right hand
Well yes I'll marry your daughter Janet
But I'll not be the lord of your land"
He's mounted her on a milk-white steed
Himself on a dapple grey
He has made her the lady of as much land
As she shall ride in a long summer's day.
And a(D) prisoner (E)long in (D)Spain
And (A)Willie (D)of the (A)Winsbu(Bm)ry
Has(D) lain long with his (E)daughter at (D)home
"What ails you, what ails you, my daughter dear
Why you look so pale and wan
Have you had any sore sickness
Or yet been sleeping with a man?"
"I have not had any sore sickness
Nor yet been sleeping with a man
It is for you, my father dear,
For biding so long in Spain"
"Cast off, cast off your berry-brown gown
Stand naked on the stone
That I may know you by your shape
If you be a maiden or none"
So she cast off her berry-brown gown
Stood naked on the stone
Her apron was low, her haunches round
Her face was pale and wan
"Oh is he a lord or a duke or a knight
Or a man of birth and fame
Or was it with one of my serving men
That's lately come out of Spain?"
"No it wasn't with a lord or a duke or a knight
Nor a man of birth and fame
But it was with Willie of Winsbury
I could bide no longer alone"
The king has called on his merry men all
By thirty and by three
Saying "Fetch me this Willie of Winsbury
For hanged he shall be"
But when he came the king before
He was clad all in the red silk
His hair was like the strands of gold
His skin was as white as the milk
"And it is no wonder," said the king
"That my daughter's love you did win
For if I was a woman, as I am a man
My bedfellow you would have been"
"Now will you marry my daughter Janet
By the truth of your right hand?
Oh will you marry my daughter Janet
I'll make you lord of my land"
"Well yes, I'll marry your daughter Janet
By the truth of my right hand
Well yes I'll marry your daughter Janet
But I'll not be the lord of your land"
He's mounted her on a milk-white steed
Himself on a dapple grey
He has made her the lady of as much land
As she shall ride in a long summer's day.
Alternative chords
Key Of G Major
(G)The king has (D)been a poor pris(A)oner
And a(G) prisoner (A)long in (G)Spain
And (D)Willie (G)of the (D)Winsbu(Em)ry
Has(G) lain long with his (A)daughter at (G)home
Key Of C
(C)The king has (G)been a poor pris(D)oner
And a(C) prisoner (D)long in (C)Spain
And (G)Willie (C)of the (G)Winsbu(Am)ry
Has(C) lain long with his (D)daughter at (C)home
Key Of G Major
(G)The king has (D)been a poor pris(A)oner
And a(G) prisoner (A)long in (G)Spain
And (D)Willie (G)of the (D)Winsbu(Em)ry
Has(G) lain long with his (A)daughter at (G)home
Key Of C
(C)The king has (G)been a poor pris(D)oner
And a(C) prisoner (D)long in (C)Spain
And (G)Willie (C)of the (G)Winsbu(Am)ry
Has(C) lain long with his (D)daughter at (C)home
Willy O'Winsbury sheet music with letter notes
Willie O' Winsbury mandolin / tenor banjo tab
Willie O' Winsbury mandolin / tenor banjo tab
Ye Vagabonds sing Willy O' Winsbury
