by Eliza Carthy
While we were interviewing her, Eliza Carthy gave us an impromptu rendition of the first two verses of this traditional song
MP3 audio of Worcester CityWorcester City was recorded by Australian-born folk song collector Percy Grainger in 1908. It was sung to him by Joseph Taylor, a 78-year-old traditional singer from Lincolnshire, and recorded onto a wax cylinder. This recording found its way onto the Unto Brigg Fair album released on the Topic label in 1972.
The song is sometimes known as The Cup of Poison or Jealousy and has also on occasion been localised by changing the name of the city (eg Oxford City).
Eliza recorded a version on her 2002 album Anglicana and her band-mate Tim van Eyken did a version on his album Stiffs Lovers Holymen Thieves in 2006.
Like most English traditional songs, the tune makes use of modal scales (see Melody in World Music), in this case wandering between the dorian and aeolian modes.
Lyrics
In Worcester City there lived a damsel
And now the truth to you I'll tell;
She by her servantman was courted,
Who often told her he loved her well.
She loved him true, but at a distance;
He did not think to be very fond.
‘Now for your convicts and inconstant lovers
I pray you'll end your sweet tender love.’
By a young master, this fair young damsel
Was invited to a ball, you know.
This wicked young man he followed after
And soon prepared for her overthrow.
As she was dancing all with another
Jealousy it filled his mind;
Then to destroy his own true lover
This wicked young man he was inclined.
Oh, quickly he prepared some poison,
He mixed it with a glass of wine,
And gave it to his own true lover;
She drank it with a most fearful mind.
A little after this fair young damsel,
‘Now take me home, my dear,’ said she
‘For the liquor that you have lately gave me
Has made me very ill indeed.’
As they was walking along together,
He then unto her did say,
‘I gave you poison all in your liquor,
All for to take your sweet life away.’
‘And I have drunk of the same, my jewel,
I hope to die as well as thee.’
So in each other's arms they died;
And young men, beware of jealousy.
