Name: Paper of Pins
Duration: P00H05M22S
Description: A traditional proposal song from Kent. Boy lays out his store of meagre wealth. We don’t know if she said yes but we hope she did. He gives her two gifts - pins and lace, but in each case, they are ‘market stall’ equivalents of prize possessions. “Tawdry lace” - thought to be the shortening of St Audrey lace - meaning cheap, poorly made lace). Poor he might be but proud and hopeful.

Paper of Pins

from Paper of Pins by Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer

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A traditional proposal song from Kent. Boy lays out his store of meagre wealth. We don’t know if she said yes but we hope she did. He gives her two gifts - pins and lace, but in each case, they are ‘market stall’ equivalents of prize possessions. “Tawdry lace” - thought to be the shortening of St Audrey lace - meaning cheap, poorly made lace). Poor he might be but proud and hopeful.

lyrics

1. I have a house and land in Kent
If you’ll love me, love me now
Tuppence ha’penny is my rent
I cannot come ev’ry day to woo.

||:Tuppence ha’penny is his rent
He cannot come ev’ry day to woo :||

2. I am my father’s eldest son
And my mother does love me well
For I can bravely clout me shoon
And I can full well ring a bell

3. My Father, he gave me a hog
And my mother she game me a sow
My godfather lives thereby,
And he has bequeathed me a plough

4. One time I gave you a paper of pins
Another, a tawdry lace
If you’ll deny my love
I’ll surely die in your face.

5. So I’ll put on my best white slop
And I’ll wear my yellow hose
On my head, a good fine hat
And in it I’ll stick a rose

6. So cease off, do not delay
If you’ll love me, love me now
Or else I’ll seek some other where
I cannot come ev’ry day to woo.

credits

from Paper of Pins, released June 20, 2016
(Lyrics; trad. Melody; Dyer. Arr VS&JD)

license

about

Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer England, UK

Vicki Swan & Jonny effortlessly blend traditional material with contemporary sounds. Their performances showcase new interpretations of old songs alongside original self penned tunes and new contemporary songs that are entirely at home in the tradition. ... more

shows

Jul 8

Ruskin House

Croydon, UK

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