The song “All Around my Hat” is of nineteenth-century English origin. In an early version, dating from the 1820s, a Cockney costermonger vowed to be true to his fiancée, who had been sentenced to seven years’ transportation to Australia for theft and to mourn his loss of her by wearing green willow sprigs in his hatband for “a twelve-month and a day”, the willow being a traditional symbol of mourning.
The Steeleye Span group took it to number 5 on the charts, with the original version interpolated with lyrics from another early 19th century song, “Farewell He”. This turned the song into a conversation, with the original words of constancy alternating with a sermon to young girls on the inconstancy of young men.
Steeleye Span
Maddy Prior – vocals
Tim Hart – guitar, vocals, dulcimer
Bob Johnson – guitar, vocals
Rick Kemp – bass guitar, vocals
Peter Knight – violin, vocals, mandolin
Nigel Pegrum – drums, flute
The official music video for ‘All Around My Hat’ from Steeleye Span
‘Good Times Of Old England: Steeleye Span 1972-1983’ 12CD box set
Lyrics:
All around my hat I will wear the green willow
And all around my hat for a twelve-month and a day
And if anyone should ask me the reason why I’m wearing it
It’s all for my true love who’s far, far away
Fare thee well cold winter and fare thee well cold frost
Nothing have I gained but my own true love I’ve lost
I’ll sing and I’ll be merry when occasion I do see
He’s a false deluding young man, let him go farewell he
The other night he brought me a fine diamond ring
But he thought to have deprived me of a far better thing
But I being careful like lovers ought to be
He’s a false deluding young man, let him go farewell he
And all around my hat I will wear the green willow
And all around my hat for a twelve-month and a day
And if anyone should ask me the reason why I’m wearing it
It’s all for my true love who’s far, far away
All around my hat I will wear the green willow
And all around my hat for a twelve-month and a day
And if anyone should ask me the reason why I’m wearing it
It’s all for my true love who’s far far away
All around my hat I will wear the green willow
And all around my hat for a twelve-month and a day
And if anyone should ask me the reason why I’m wearing it
It’s all for my true love who’s far, far away
