Sadie Compton: hear it

Black is the Color

(Sadie Compton)

2005-01-20

public domain (incredibly old ballad)

I heard [the fabulous] Sheila Kay Adams sing this song in North Carolina and it hit me right between the eyes like a ballpeen hammer. Never heard anything so haunting and beautiful come out of a voice box before. So I learned it. And I love singing it. This is just a quick home recording (complete with a clam or two; hellfire, that's life.) but I plan on recording it on my upcoming CD. So here's a taste of it.

Black is the color of my true love's hair
His face is like some rosy fair
With the prettiest face and the neatest hands
I love the ground whereon he stands

I love my love and well he knows
I love the ground whereon he goes
If you no more on Earth I see
I can't serve you as you have me

The winter's past and the leaves are green
The time has passed that we have seen
Still I hope the day will come
When you and I shall be as one

I go to the clyde for to mourn and weep
But satisfied I never could sleep
I'll write for you a few short lines
And I'd suffer death ten thousand times

So fare thee well my own true love
Our time has passed but I wish you well
Still I hope the day will come
When you and I shall be as one

I love my love and well he knows
I love the ground whereon he goes
If you no more on Earth I see
I can't serve you as you have me