Master Kilby – Folk Song

Cecil Sharp collected Master Kilby from Harry Richards of Curry Rivel in Somerset both on July 29, 1904 and on January 6, 1909.

You can also finds links to this article on 'our' Poetry Corner.......

A Folk Song a Week gives more information and a recording by Andy Turner of Master Kilby.

Master Kilby
In the heat of the day when the sun shines so freely
I met Master Kilby so fine and so gay.

Well, I pulled off my hat and I bowed to the ground,
And I said, "Master Kilby, oh, where are you bound?"

"I'm bound for the west in hopes to find rest;
And in the arms of my dear Nancy I'll build a new nest.

And if I was the master of ten thousand pounds
In bright gold and silver or in King William's crowns,

I would part with it all with my own heart so freely:
It's all for the sake of my charming Nancy.

She's the fairest of girls, she's the choice of my heart;
And her skin shines like silver in every part.

Oh, I gave her some kisses, it was down by the sea shore;
But still she lay asking, lay asking for more."