Artist & Tune
Version by Alan Bell
Version by Blackmore's Night
Version by Seamus Kennedy
Version by Tommy Makem & Liam Clancy
Version by The McCalmans
Version by Spud
Version by Marion Daufenbach
Version by The Houghton Weavers
Version by Susan McCann
About the Song
This song is based on the legend of Joseph of Araimathea. A number of stories that developed during the Middle Ages connecting him with Glastonbury, England & also with the Holy Grail legend. In these legends Joseph of Arimathea.travelled through England with Mary & the Christ child after Joseph, the carpenter & spouse of Mary, died.
This song is Bell's best-known compositioin. He wrote it in 1968 and first recorded it on his "Minstrel" album. The song was covered by a number of Irish bands, often titled "Winds in the Willows" from the chorus.
Secondhand songs background of song & discography: https://secondhandsongs.com/work/235024/versions?sort=date&reverse=1
As I was a walking one morning in spring
I met with some travelers in an old country lane
One was an old man, the second a maid
The third was a young boy who smiled as he said
C Em G Em / Am Dm G C ://
With the wind in the willows & the birds in the sky
There's a bright sun to warm us wherever we lie
We have bread & fishes & a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of mankind
F C F C / F C Dm G / C Em G Em / Am Dm G C
So I sat down beside them with the gay flow'rs around
And we ate from a mantle spread out on the ground
They told me of peoples & prophets & kings
And all of the one God who knew everything
So I asked them to tell me their names & their race
That I may remember their kindness & grace
"My name it is Joseph, this is Mary my wife
And this is our young son who is our delight"
"We are traveling to Glaston thru England's green lanes
To hear of men's troubles, to hear of men's pain
We travel the wild world o'er the lands & by sea
To tell all the people how they can be free"
So sadly I left them in that old country lane
I know that I never shall see them again
One was an old man, the second a maid
The third was a young boy who smiled as he said...
words & music by Alan Bell
(c) Tamlyn Music Ltd. All rights reserved.
Alt Lyrics
One was an old man, the 2nd a maid
The 3rd was a young boy who smiled as he said:
"With the wind in the willows, the birds in the sky
There's a bright sun to warm us wherever we lie
We have bread & fishes & a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of mankind"
So I asked them to tell me their name & their race
So I could remember each smile on their face
"Our names, they mean nothing, they change throughout time
So come sit beside us & share in our wine"
So I sat down beside them with flow'rs all around
We ate from a mantle spread out on the ground
They told me of prophets & peoples & kings
And all of the one God that knows everything [no chorus]
"We're traveling to Glaston over England's green lanes
To hear of men's troubles, to hear of their pains
We travel the wide world over land & the sea
To tell all the people how they can be free!"
So sadly I left them on that old country lane
For I knew that I'd never see them again
One was an old man, the 2nd a maid
The 3rd was a young boy who smiled as he said...