Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger - Sweet Thames, Flow Softly

extrait du LP " Freeborn Man", Blackthorne Records, 1983, BR 1065.

[@Neilgal12]

Masterclass in songwriting. Come up with a full-length song that fits a fairly rigid framework of given place names. Then make it a love song, one that’s full of not just yearning, but actual suspense halfway through, followed by heartbreak. - and he made it sound effortless. We are not worthy! 🙂

[@Sweep658]

And winter's frost has touched me heart and put a blight upon me.... makes me cry every time. Absolute gem. I was brought up listening to Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger, they will always be part of my musical life. ♥️

[@sbingham1979]

I heard this for the first time in 1985. It is indescribably beautiful and sad. Thank you for posting this.

[@redword2007]

I lodged with an elderly comrade who in his younger days, was a great friend of MacColl's. When he sadly died, this song was played at his funeral. Poignant and beautiful.

[@Lloydterry1]

Greatest ever London love song. Knew it first through Planxty and Christy Moore but the original is even better.

[@murryjcohen]

Liam Clancy and his brother do a great version.

[@lornapaterson1839]

I bought a signed LP from Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger at their gig at a pub in Aberystwyth in 72. According to the sleeve notes, Sweet Thames Flow Softly was written for a BBC schools version of Romeo and Juliet. Sadly I haven't been able to find any trace of ths programme.

[@kololikate]

I heard this sung recently, after not hearing it for many years and it's lovely to find it here being sung by McColl. Beautiful.

[@eckyhen]

Melodic and beautiful, poignant and honest from one of the greatest song writers ever. Why is there no one like him today. Just ugly raucous rap and electronic noise.

[@michaelcave3031]

Know all those places on the Thames so well and also the sentiments of this lovely song. This morning was the first time I ever heard it and it was of Radio 3. What a knockout!

[@cheeseheadfiddle]

First heart this from Christy Moore. MacColl was the Great One to be sure. Every word essential. Not one out of place.

[@Over50YearsOffgrid]

Probably Ewan MacColl's best song. Draws such a emotional picture of a love.

[@kimjohnellis698]

& London

[@Deejaay83urj38]

Exceptional beautiful profound

[@christinescarff4920]

Grew up near the Thames , both in Abingdon and then near London! ‘ Isis or Ock or Thame forget your olden name and the lilies and the willows and the weirs from which you came ‘.

[@andomandoa]

best love song lament ever, moves the hearts of all whom have loved and lost the ones they loved

[@harlock1973]

Great, inspired song. There's a bit of us all in it...

[@ruca9528]

Will we ever hear anything of its kind again? I dont think so

[@live4glitter]

just beautiful

[@3142shara]

Greetings from Russia) I like this song

[@eliaol4231]

Hey there! Love this song too

My sister overlooks Pitney Bridge. Beautiful melody

Putney. Hey Eilish. Looking down at the boats ships sailing

[@tedtheranger]

on behalf of the working class people i give thanks

[@petermulligan272]

Pure brilliant

[@Alsatiagent]

Kirsty's favourite of her father's songs.

[@karlconnolly3994]

Gorgeous...flow sweet river flow.

[@abrhamgebeyehu933]

I met my girl at Woolwich Pier beneath the big crane standing And all 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 Silver town, sweet Thames flow softly At London Yard I held her hand, at Blackwell Point I faced her At the Isle of Dogs I kissed her mouth and 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 A 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 a 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 it 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

[@Deejaay83urj38]

Thanks

[@JK-ww8dn]

Once we had an empire now we have a slum.

[@55vica]

This song (almost) has a religious feel to it,imagine yourself in a high vaulted cathedral and each verse is a response to the priests words??,,,Anyway it's inspired something spirituel in me!

[@PhillipYewTree]

Would be courteous to spell their names correctly.

[@peterpeter3536]

Like most of his songs but I can't stand the ridiculous choice of words Kissed her once again at Wapping! Just begging for a parody. And the choruses sound like an advert for syrup! Why is Salford a Dirty Old town but the Thames which would have been absolutely filthy at the time of writing sweet? And don't say because love is blind because he's in love Dirty Old Town too!

[@knowndwarf]

It was written for a BBC radio ballad base on Romeo and Juliet in 1966.

[@peterpeter3536]

knowndwarf well that's interesting but I can't see much in common with the two stories.

[@brianocallaghan2423]

I think hes using the Thames a a metaphor, Its not to be taken literally. Thats just my interpretation.

[@samirhazlehurst8806]

Wapping is a place. which rhymes with "Stopping". and most british folk music is a little bit goofy. that's what is charming about it.

[@jamesallen6767]

It s a song ... always some allegory