Awake, Awake

Words and music traditional
(Steeleye Span)

He:
     Awake, awake oh northern wind,
     Blow on my garden fair.
     Let my lover come to me
     And tell me of his care.
     For now the winter it is past
     Likewise the drops of rain.
     Come lie in the valley of lilies
     'Midst the roses of the plain.

She:
He took me to a garden fair
And there he laid me down.
His left hand lay beneath my head,
His right did me surround.
His eyes were palms by water brooks,
His fingers runs of gold,
His head upon my breast did lie,
His love did me enfold.

He:
     Her hair is like a flock of goats
     Across the mountainside.
     Her breasts are like the grapes upon
     The vine where I shall bide.
     Her mouth is sweeter far than wine,
     And warm to my embrace.
     No mountainside can hide my love,
     No veil conceal her face.

She:
My lover's hand was on the door,
My belly stirred within.
My fingers wet with myrrh
I pulled the bow to let him in.
With my own hands I opened
But I found I was alone.
My soul failed, for my lover had
Withdrawn himself and gone.

He:
     I'll get me to a mount of myrrh
     And there I'll lay me down
     For waters cannot quench my love,
     In floods it cannot drown.
     My love is clear as the sun,
     She's fair as the moon,
     Oh stir not up, nor waken, love,
     Lest it should come too soon.

Both:
Awake, awake oh northern wind,
Blow on my garden fair.
Let my lover come to me
And tell me of his care.
For now the winter it is past
Likewise the drops of rain.
Come lie in the valley of lilies
'Midst the roses of the plain.


On "Storm Force Ten" record, copyright (c) 1977