Pentangle - Let No Man Steal Your Thyme (1968)

[@mushroomagical]

I am with my girlfriends here in San Francisco and we are very stoned and enjoying every note of this fantastic music. We've been watching Pentangle videos all night. Exhilarating and refreshing. Star-shine!

[@StrawberryMixALot]

where?

[@johnpaca1287]

Feeling the same way in Atlanta GA in 2024.

[@VintageLifeCars]

Thanks for recognising England has folk music, not just Ireland/Scotland. Mind you don't forget it was exported to your colonies, American folk music may have many different names.

[@CooManTunes]

@@StrawberryMixALot A place that doesn't exist anymore.

[@AlysounRI]

There are four female English voices of the 60's and 70's which are classic, unique and should never, ever be forgotten. Those are: Jacqui McShee, Maddy Prior, Sandy Denny, and Annie Haslam. Pentangle was wonderful and even Jacqui McShee's Pentangle in the 80's was excellent. No one has ever sounded like Pentangle again - before them or since. They mixed jazz and folk and the musicianship was unique and still unmatched. It had a soul and a heart, more than can be said for a lot of music today.

[@johnbooth2005]

I would also add Claire Hamill to your list, but McShee stands out for me.

[@aveuch]

Where praytell does that put Joni and Joan? Not to mention Linda Ronstadt.

[@johnbooth2005]

@@aveuch Well if that's Joni Mitchell, she's Canadian. And if Joan is Joan Baez, she's American, as is Linda Ronstadt. Hence it puts them back in North America, since the discussion is about English singers.

[@allisonrich5061]

@@aveuch They are not British. That's where.

[@lordprotector3367]

@@aveuch They aren't English, otherwise we'd add Ann Wilson.

[@yobrojoost9497]

Beautiful! I used to listen to Pentangle a lot when I was young. Now I finally get a chance to watch them as well.

[@nickpotgieter3629]

The way the song completely breaks down yet somehow stays together. Stunningly beautiful.

[@eleanorrose1133]

holy smokes, this music gives me chills, loving it, just heard today. I love folk music

[@giovannimazzucchelli7487]

The intriguing interplay of the guitars, the sensational rhythm section and the silverness of the voice of Jacqui; there's nothing better than this.

[@BasedSuccuboi]

I cant believe I'm just finding out about this in 2020 what a timeless and beautiful song. Jacqui is so incredibly talented.

[@caulmartin]

Me too!

[@FirstUsedBooks]

The whole band was infected with talent, not just McShee. Jansch, Renbourn, Thompson, Cox, rare do you find performers of their calibre in the same place at the same time.

[@josefinagarza241]

Look for Anne Briggs❤

[@BasedSuccuboi]

@@josefinagarza241 Wow! She has such a beautiful voice

[@jennymulhall816]

I grew up around a slightly more Irish Trad version of this song. For years, I was indignant about the poor girl in the song having her herb garden plundered until I was old enough for my Mum to explain that it was a metaphor for the girl's virginity. Ah! The innocence of youth! :)

[@Wednesdaywoe1975]

What these old songs never took into account is...thyme grows back.

[@margaritavassilopoulou1588]

thanks for making me laugh at a time that i needed it

[@ColtraneTaylor]

And on hearing the explanation you said, I see, and went out to have your herb garden plundered.

[@Dennisdread]

One of the loveliest voices I've ever heard.

[@vickysaunders4439]

I don't know how many times I have come back to watch this - unparalleled ❤

[@andycole3442]

There was a time and a place and this music so reminds me of how better life was back then and how lucky I lived in that time and had great music. Not like the awfulness of modern music now!

[@redrockvalleymodelrailwayb6852]

the way Danny Thompson gets that last note of the song is class beyond words!

[@robsawalker]

I am speechless. So brilliant. Why cant we have a few more bands like Pentangle these days?

[@1986billyk]

I've always found the pentangles music and melodies able to put me in kind of a trance.I love the sound of this ladies voice. It sounds as if she actually stepped out of the olden days like a ghoust. I don't even pay much attention to the words cause her voice is so lyrical and soothing its great just to listen.

[@badjemima]

Utterly sublime. What a voice.

[@Nickzzzzz1]

Wonderful band. Saw them at the Albert Hall in the 1960s (round about Basket of Light time) and saw Jacqui sing locally some years back. She is still an excellent singer. The musicianship is so clever and the arrangements just layer music on top of music so each verse of most songs are differently backed. One of those things I grew up on but each one is a fine musician and the rhythm section is amazing

[@WVislandia]

Yes, yes, YES! Ah, the Pentangle! What great music! What a great contribution, not just to "folk music", just a great contribution to music itself! I have to admit that this has been playing in my head again and again, just to see and hear this again.

[@sihanlai2266]

Come all you fair and tender ladies All you who flourish in your prime Beware take care, keep your garden fair Let no man steal your thyme, Let no man steal your thyme, For when your thyme is past and gone He'll care no more for you And in the place where your thyme was waste He'll spread all o'er with rue, He'll spread all o'er with rue, A woman is a branchy tree And man's a clinging vine And from her branches carelessly He'll take what he can find He'll take what he can find Come all you fair and tender ladies All you who flourish in your prime Beware take care, keep your garden fair Let no man steal your thyme, Let no man steal your thyme,

[@StrawberryMixALot]

exactly

[@MilesAgosto]

Her voice melts me. One of the best of her time.

[@isaacmr.trumpetmanbobonis]

Anyone here after the show Rebecca?

[@ritikapradhan7660]

Hahaa me

[@marialuisa6932]

Yes 🇧🇷

[@SoloTravelerOffTheBeatenPath]

Yeah I just watched it

[@vickicaravella4665]

Bahaha! Yeah, loved the song and luckily found it, like all you folk of good taste😍

[@ginnytandon8463]

Yes me too!

[@kitashlily]

Where my 2020 comments at? also watching this in quarantine i love this song❤️

[@SoloTravelerOffTheBeatenPath]

I'm here because I just watched the movie Rebecca and this song on on there.

[@kitashlily]

@@SoloTravelerOffTheBeatenPath i first heard the song in Alias Grace, I was suprised they also played it in Rebecca.

[@avantikanair5193]

me too

[@Michellemutts7848]

Back in quarantine again and watching this 🙂

[@eustenopteron1]

I will play this song to my daughter in five years time...I hope that she will listen(!)

[@dillon3426]

Jack TheCat did you do it

[@musicallasagna999]

Why 5 years?

[@andywatts8654]

Puberty?

[@mathusalemlesgras3948]

génial!! Musique et chanson me rajeunissent de prés de 45 ans. Bravo, à cette époque il y avait de la bonne musique...

[@willboucher9336]

There is so much going on musically. I had the good fortune to see them on a small venue. Great concert and fun time hanging out afterwards.

[@viking1au]

My god! This is indeed rare footage of Pentangle. Very nice! This is VERY early Pentangle. A real treat!

[@donnlarossa9173]

Still amazing after 50 years.....

[@ppierquet1]

Such a gorgeous tune and arrangement! Pentangle recorded prior to my growing love of folk music....I wish I had been aware of them earlier. Wonderful music! 🙂

[@kimkurt3789]

not miscaptioned-old song-herbs meant a lot to our ancestors-thyme was a token of a woman's favour and represented both virginity-for the woman-and bravery for the man being sent to war-she is cautioned to wait for his return because he might not come back-rue was used to induce abortion and symbolized regret

[@paganpines]

Miscaptioned in the video, not in the KZbin description.

[@jimmyhay47]

kim kurt I thought thyme and 'ball of yarn' were euphemisms for pubic hair.Perhaps I stand corrected.Examining the Thyme in my herb plot as I write this. Hmmmm.

[@TheRealBoroNut]

Come all you fair and tender girls That flourish in your prime Beware, beware, keep your garden fair Let no man steal your pubic hair Works for me.

[@robotlove3000]

"A woman is a branchy tree And man's a clinging vine And from her branches carelessly He'll take what he can find" I think it's obvious that she is telling other women to not waste their time and energy on men who steal the best years of their life. I don't think there's anything in the lyrics about the bravery of men in war, or waiting for them. Not sure where you're getting that, to be honest. "For when your thyme is past and gone He'll care no more for you And in the place your thyme was waste We'll spread all o'er with rue" When you're old and no longer beautiful, he won't want you anymore. And you'll be full of regret.

[@surferpam1]

Thank you, Kim for the explanation. Very informative.

[@1019046350]

señor Jansch, gracias por pasar por este mundo

[@moonchildtheking5008]

One of the most interesting bands of its era, for sure. My fav british folk band

[@jrsonnikson]

WOW. An expression whose time has really come. Vivid really gets it. And that is why he is predicting it's impact. I for one hope for the impact. Bravo Vivid for your insight. And blessings for your acknowledgement that this is epic.

[@octopusmime]

shes so beautiful & her voice is liquid sun

[@GravityBoy72]

Brilliant. Real musicians! The youth of today could learn a lot here. What a voice Jacqui has.

[@morbidmanmusic]

oh please... that comment was as bad 16 years ago as it is now.

[@GravityBoy72]

@@morbidmanmusic They could learn to sing properly without autotune. Oh and write some good songs and learn to play their instruments.

[@Katsem]

beautiful rendition of a timeless song.

[@avlisk]

Thanks for the video. I first heard Pentangle around 1969, if I remember correctly. The sound of this immediately turned me 18 again. Wow, what a treat!

[@vividhkothari1]

Wait till "Far From the Madding Crowd" is released; this video will have more than a million views in no time.

[@bennychandra6442]

***** definitely best folk song.... www.folksongsyouneversang.com/essays/take-warning/

[@lamantrung]

+Vivid Kothari very nice. but I prefer the soft slow version in the film.

[@thewhatorwhy]

+Vivid Kothari Hope not. I like to have some good things kept more private and sacred. Don't want the youtube cover versions crowd and their 8 year old kids getting all over this.

[@InsertName125]

Yep. In no thyme at all.

[@anaam7061]

Vivid Kothari lol I came here after that

[@tonbridgeman]

I'm not sure what you'd expect after 42 years lol. Still you should treasure Pentangle and their great late 60's early 70's rock/folk contemporaries. It was a great era where proper musicianship was respected. This is still brilliant.

[@Daenoxiis]

I've yet to see another double bass player that thinks and plays the way Danny does. He's truly amazing, as well as a very big inspiration. More people should know about Pentangle, their music is not only complex, it's also educational and very entertaining and pleasing to the ear.

[@abbamad6283]

Brings back great memories of my childhood. I always enjoyed listening to Pentangle. A few years ago this style of song would have been thought ot be dated but the recent resurgence in folk has meant that this is very current

[@idavo]

Remember how fascinated you were when you first came across Mercury for the first time, Liquid but not, fazcinating to watch and it was (well to me) it felt amazing, I was eleven. Yhen when I heard Jacqui McShees' voice, it reminded meof the pleasure. Not a voice, a moment of pure something you want to dwell on and it never finish, Thank you for posting this.

[@williamstclaire809]

One of the nicest voices in history.

[@marinman39]

These people could all sing and play.Just want to say Danny Thompson is one of the strongest acoustic bassist to ever play, in any genre, to this day. I speak as a bassist, he is one of the greats.

[@wornpick1]

Take it at face value. Part of thr reawakening of interest in our folk tradition. Well performed, sung beautifully.

[@huxylady]

Thyme stands both for 'hope' and 'virginity' in this folk song, and, of course, the song is a warning to innocent young maids not to let an unsuitable man steal your virginity, your hope and, of course, your time, as this song is a play on the words thyme and time. And of course if you do let it happen the man in question will spread your 'garden' (!) with 'rue' which is of course means both a bitter herb and 'regret'. If only I'd listened to this ancient and wise advice myself!

[@wornpick1]

I really cannot be arsed to read the preceeding political comments. Am simply grateful and pleased to have found a recording of a classic from the period of the British folk Revival. Remember that as a band, Pentangle set the stage for all the others (equally loved).

[@wildobserver]

Jacqui was one of the first women I ever adolescently fell in love with. Fantastic voice, magical appearance, sitting on a high stool and absorbed in her singing, forgetful of everything else...Too bad I couldn't find anyone in real life quite like her.

[@Simon-fr4ts]

My partner looks just like her. She hates that, but I find it attractive.

[@irishelk3]

They were all excellent, the singing and musicianship and lyrics, i cant live without it.

[@tishierkrisis]

simply beautiful...I saw Jaqui and Danny Thompson in 2006 in Brussels, together with the fine fleur of Belgian musicians. They headlined the folk day on the Brosella folk and jazz festival.

[@lynettekomidar]

Must have had my head buried in the sand .. fantastic guys. Just caught onto you and listening to all your tracks and thrilled

[@joystark1611]

Wonderful. Never tire of hearing this

[@gaetanocaccianini5600]

Magici Pentangle, evocativi di sensazioni antiche in ogni genere che hanno abbracciato 🎶😀

[@michaelnorris2522]

I may be the only person to ever find this interesting, but as I listened to the bass intro to this I was reminded of the beginning of Lonely Woman by Ornette Coleman (with Charlie Haden on bass). I think there is more than a passing resemblance in the styles of Danny Thompson and Charlie (although Danny plays with a bow here). Also, I checked, and the beginning notes and the keys of both songs are the same, and the tempos are pretty close too. One of those coincidences I live for.

[@scrimshank1]

Beautiful... thats it. Can't find something like that on the radio today. NB Canada

[@alleyloveshayley]

Beautiful haunting song, everyone involved is a genius of their instrument, and Jacqui just happens to be an amazing singer as well as a total babe. I don't see how it's possible to think otherwise.

[@tonbridgeman]

This is so cool. Just love that voice and the freaky guitar and contrsbass licks

[@marybateman8127]

fantastic vocalist. Weird how she's not better known.

[@godfreyulex1203]

Mary Bateman the more unknown the better they sound

[@maxwellfan55]

In the UK she is very well known among her generation and since, and highly respected.

[@margaritavassilopoulou1588]

my question too

[@noblestsavage1742]

Incredibly well known here in the uk!

[@eastowest]

She, along with the band as a whole, were very well known in Canada at that time. Jacqui McShee as a vocalist was in a class of her own.

[@kenb735]

Saw them several times in the late sixties. One more time at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall shortly before Bert Jansch's untimely death. What artists they were. They never lost it over the years.

[@RickTransit]

He was all right at the Lyceum on Monday as well. One of the best gigs I've seen in a long time!

[@nbenefiel]

I bought their LP back in the 60’s. I think I still have it.

[@Boinga]

Anyone who can't see the grace and beauty in Jacqui is missing something wonderful. And I pity the life of one who views the world with such eyes.

[@superkatarsis]

Jacqui who?

[@Boinga]

@@superkatarsis ...? The woman singing.

[@superkatarsis]

@@Boinga ok, thanks!

[@TheGeebutt]

I listened to this group way too much in college. If i had been studying instead i may be a rocket scientist instead of a gigolo.

[@marycigarettes]

that's beautiful...the young danny thompson n'all...lovely vocals

[@klaytonvonkluge4905]

Love this..... Gotta keep coming back again & again .... . It's magical

[@ottosdad]

Stan Rogers, and my newly acquired love of folk music, led me to this band.

[@palmeracallejera]

Danny Thompson on bass...what a fantastic performance.

[@MoonchildTheKing]

one of my favourite groups ever, can't stop listening

[@Teddyb1939]

Jacqui / one of the finest EVER folk singers & this band just brilliant!!

[@clarkewi]

I love the bass - so much more expressive than an electric. Adds so much.

[@secretcompartment]

get your hands off my thyme

[@Broblem12]

A delightful song, though sombre in tone. I am glad to see the group in action, as I have only had some of thecollected songs to go by so far.

[@rukeyser]

Um. NO. This very old lyric is always spelled this way. (Where have you seen it MISspelled?) "Keep your garden fair" "will spread all o'er with rue." Even if you don't know the traditional symbols in a warning song, you might have caught the metaphor of a garden. Both Thyme and Rue are puns as well. "Thyme" - virginity and, to an extent, time. "Red Rose" - romantic love, lust or "wanton passion" "Violet" - modesty "Willow" - sorrow and despair "Rue" - regret "Oak" - strength, loyalty

[@reymohammed7040]

Insofar as "rake" is a male "hoe": Men of questionable habits were said to be set to raking rue in Purgatory. Unlike most herbs, rue isn't pleasantly fragrant. It smells like rubber tires on a hot day, and if you had to smell that all the time, you'd surely rue the day you earned such a chore. Rue is an herbal abortifacient, but far from the only one. Pennyroyal (English or American), tansy, and certain oreganos were all known to do that at the time. The New World added several herbs in the verbena family and a couple of composites, but they don't find their way into songs.

[@williamstclaire809]

Thank You for your kind comments.

[@GaryDavidSisto]

The poster of the video is commenting on the fact that the banner in the actual footage at 14 seconds in says "Time" instead of "Thyme."

[@jonathanyouens]

What you may not see in the video is Bert Jansch in the background. John Renbourne in foreground. Pentangle effectively formed in the pub next to the Dominion in Tottenham Court Road on Sunday evenings when Bert and John would each do a set then ther woudl be a session with Jacqui, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox. Bert Jansch would have a whisky and a beer resting in one of his guitars and would stick his cigarette in the strings by the tuning pegs. Great evenings and memories

[@blumenthol]

so far as time goes - what matters is that we made the most of it - and they certainly did when making this music. love this woman's voice... and her witchy looks.

[@stuartmastersmusic]

Thank you for putting this up. Really ground-breaking stuff and so timeless.

[@klaytonvonkluge4905]

I just love this sound... love these guys/girl!

[@maxwellfan55]

Pentangle. A group absolutely at their prime at the right time, experimental and so creative. Doesn't Jacqui look (and sound) fantastic, with the courage and confidence to sit up and wear the shortest skirts of the time. Backed up by fine musicians.

[@castalla999]

Short skirts were so deliciously alluring:) But Jacqui's voice took me to a place beyond my fleeting desires to place were tradition seemed etrernal

[@fatalis7147]

Pervy as heck lol

[@maxwellfan55]

@@fatalis7147 Please keep the perversions to yourself.

[@fatalis7147]

@@maxwellfan55 It ain't me who's perving, Dave's the one who actually said the words "deliciously alluring". If anything, you've just said what I was thinking about you! Hahaha

[@maxwellfan55]

@@fatalis7147 Why not make some useful comment about Pentangle's great music? Yes, Jacquie was beautiful, talented, and sexy, that's not perverted, nor is Dave Coe's comment. Now go away, stop making a fool of yourself and spoiling things. No one's interested in what you were "thinking" except yourself, nor are you funny. End.

[@FrankIntrieri-k5b]

Awesome!!!

[@keithmcgovern2114]

RIP John Renbourn

[@bloodletter3400]

Keith McGovern Rip Bert Jansch

[@HughTwo]

Played really well at Harrogate last week. A brilliant musician.

[@j.b.9581]

Come, all you fair and tender girls That flourish in your prime Beware, beware, keep your garden fair Let no man steal your thyme Let no man steal your thyme For when your thyme is past and gone He'll care no more for you And in the place your time was waste Will spread all o'er with rue Will spread all o'er with rue A woman is a branchy tree And man's a clinging vine And from her branches carelessly He'll take what he can find He'll take what he can find He'll take what he can find Come, all you fair and tender girls That flourish in your prime Beware, beware, keep your garden fair Let no man steal your thyme Let no man steal your thyme (Bravo Jacqui!!!!!)

[@frederickmagill9454]

This song is pentangle at their best, but then everything they did was great.

[@ericwyness9089]

Agreed ! 100% right.

[@MrRadiouser]

True talent. Thank you for being !

[@eohaver2]

One of my all-time favorite groups. Whatever they did, I was always haunted by the beauty of the songs..

[@garyvenn8423]

outstanding voice.

[@bluerock4456]

Love Jacqui's voice

[@indianhead1957]

A great way to start a Saturday morning!

[@quagswag]

RIP Sir, your excellence has been captured here

[@SeaBassVamp]

Nice Instrumental and vocals.

[@dixgun]

So excellent. So glad this was posted.

[@unclestaple]

i dig how he detunes the bass at the end. very slick.

[@susanmeyers6036]

one of my favorites from the old days

[@marleyofficialmedia]

This is still just as true. Ladies, girls, your life is for YOU. Be discerning and authentic when meeting men. Do not move at their pace. Plan your life for yourself

[@viandantew]

spettacolari. uno dei migliori gruppi folk di sempre

[@jonboy700]

I love how its such a small venue - with people sitting behind them on the floor - I would to hear this world-class group.

[@phoebecatgirl933]

Great gpiup I remember rom the "good old days"!

[@drstevie]

Brilliant.Beautiful.

[@TheJackasskids11]

The singer is beautiful.

[@mickigoe]

Jacqui McShee had a rare angelic radiance when she sang ....... no moving parts but her mouth ...... her serene modesty is outrageously seductive :)

[@terryeggett1]

mickigoe Glad I'm not alone in thinking Jacqui has a strange, beguiling attraction.

[@mickigoe]

Terry Eggett You have good taste :)

[@FFM0594]

She looks like her mommy is her sister, IMO.

[@jameshitt3263]

Her crinkly little chin is just adorable! She really grows on you.

[@huxylady]

Honestly people, does it really matter what she looks like? She has a great voice and is a fine interpreter of British folk songs. I don't notice anyone making comments about whether male folk musicians are 'hot' or not. Not even Seth Lakeman!

[@alhellbound]

Great stuff , not my usual , my luthier mas talking about them ! Thanks Martin !

[@InclusiveMusicUK]

Thank you.Love Kingston upon Hull xxx