English
First: Adam Buckham Prev.: Lord of the Dance Return to Song Table Next: Lullaby Last: The Wraggle Taggle Gypsies
(242KB)http://judycook.net/ceijc01/CD1-11.PDF		 The Lovers' Tasks

I found "The Lovers' Tasks" (or "The Elfin Knight") as in 80 English Folk Songs collected by Cecil Sharp & Maud Karpeles during the years 1916 to 1918. I really love this song and much prefer it to the similar "Scarborough Fair" as I find it more tuneful and the lyrics more intriguing.
I used to love singing this song with Kerstin Knie whereby we would share the verses on a gender basis. The song is of lovers giving each other impossible tasks to perform, the tasks being preconditions for love and marriage.
"The Lovers' Tasks" has been recorded by:
CD tracks/info Geoff Grainger on "Manifold Love" amazon.de CDs at Ditty Box Enterprises
CD tracks/info Ewan McColl on "Classic Scots Ballads" amazon.com amazon.co.uk amazon.de amazon.fr amazon.ca