Dave Burland: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face/Sweet Thames Flow Softly

The beautiful voice of Dave Burland with fitting images. Lyrics below.

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face: Ewan MacColl

The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the empty skies, my love,
To the dark and the empty skies.

The first time ever I kissed your mouth
And felt your heart beat close to mine
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command, my love
That was there at my command.

The first time ever I lay with you
I felt the earth move in my hand
I thought our joy would fill the earth
And last 'till the end of time, my love,
And last 'till the end of time.

-------------------------------------------------

Sweet Thames Flow Softly: Ewan MacColl

Met my girl at Woolwich Pier
Beneath a big crane standing
And oh, the love I felt for her
It passed all understanding.

Took her sailing on the river,
Flow, sweet river, flow
London town was mine to give her,
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Made the Thames into a crown,
Flow, sweet river, flow
Made a brooch of Silvertown,
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

At London Yard I held her hand
At Blackwall Point I faced her
At the Isle of Dogs I kissed her mouth
Tenderly embraced her.

Heard the bells of Greenwich ringing,
Flow, sweet river, flow
All the time my heart was singing,
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Limehouse Reach I gave her there,
Flow, sweet river, flow
As a ribbon for her hair,
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

From Shadwell dock to Nine Elms Reach
We cheek to cheek were dancing
And her necklace made of London Bridge
Her beauty was enhancing.

Kissed her once again at Wapping,
Flow, sweet river, flow
After that there was no stopping,
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Richmond Park it was her ring,
Flow, sweet river, flow
I'd have given her anything,
Sweet Thames, flow softly

From Rotherhithe to Putney Bridge
My love I was declaring
And she, from Kew to Isleworth,
Her love for me was swearing.

Love had set my heart a-burning,
Flow, sweet river, flow
Never saw the tide was turning,
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Gave her Hampton Court to twist,
Flow, sweet river, flow
Into a bracelet for her wrist,
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

But now alas the tide has changed
My love she has gone from me
And winter's frost has touched my heart
And put a blight upon me.

Creeping fog is on the river,
Flow, sweet river, flow
Sun and moon and stars gone with her,
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Swift the Thames runs to the sea,
Flow, sweet river, flow
Bearing ships and part of me,
Sweet Thames, flow softly

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Dave
• Burland
• acoustic
• guitar
• folk
• ballad
• Ewan
• MacColl
• Thames
• Kate
• Rusby
• Barnsley
• London
• Peggy
• Seeger

[josephatthecoop]

This includes one of the finest interpretations of Sweet Thames Flow Softly I've heard, and what delightful guitar. Thank you so much for posting this.

[LilacVine]

@josephatthecoop - You're very welcome and I do agree with you! His interpretation is beautiful - the vocal so restrained yet full of emotion. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Fibbing01]

Very many thanks indeed, Mr Vine, for uploading this. I've been wanting to hear this again for over 25 years!

[LilacVine]

@Fibbing01 You're very welcome. Glad you all enjoyed it.

[LilacVine]

Thanks. Dave is still performing. Try and get the chance to see him. He's very entertaining.

[rrfsee]

This is taken from songs of Ewan MacColl. l had this on a l.p. ( remember them) I think I played it out.If anyone knows if this is on C.D. please let me know. Sweet Thames is one of the best love songs ever written in my humble opinion. A great post thanks very much.

[JazzerTryckeri]

Looking forward to seeing you at the Chesterfield Folk Club in January 2012

[jeana1001]

I like the very free style in which he sings "Sweet Thames Flow Softly" with the gentle rhythmic accompaniment on the guitar . Thanks for posting.

[rdvqc]

I believe Ewan wrote "The First Time" for Peggy Seegar

[neillconnor]

Me and my wife had this as our song as we left the church after getting marrried to the first song on here.  Lovely.

[jonesthephones]

Beautifully sung,as always. What an icon in the Folk world and an example to all singers, to sing tunefully with expression. His secret seems to be not trying too hard. With a voice of such quality, he doesn't have to...