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12-string Guitar: The Larks They Sang Melodious

4,692 views · Published 26 June 2009 · 3:22 · Indexed 1 October 2026

Channel: threelegsoman · 2009 · Music

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'The Larks They Sang Melodious' is also known as 'Pleasant and Delightful'  and 'The Dawning of the Day. It is a sea song associated with the time when Britain and Holland were colonising the East Indies.
As a young man, myself and a few mates used to sing this song as a sort of show-piece in the Bay Hotel, the pub we  used to frequent, me singing the verses and they joining in with the chorus in harmony. Along with our version of a song called The Farmer's Boy' we were always quite a hit. We sang unaccompanied and more than likely under the influence of some liquid refreshment!! :)) I do not think I heard this on record until I came across a version by The Spinners who of course were partial to singing songs related to the sea.

Larks They Sang Melodious (The)
Traditional
Capo at 3rd fret, so I am really playing and singing in the key of Eb (D#)

C                                                           G7                     C
It was pleasant and delightful one midsummer's morn,
                                                 G7                  
To -  view the green fields all covered with corn,
                    F                         C                                                      G7
Where the blackbirds and thrushes sang on   every green spray,
               C                                   F                            C                   G7  C
And the larks they sang me - lo - dious, at the dawning of the day.

               F                                 G7 
And the larks they sang me - lo - di - ous. 
               C                               G7 
And the larks they sang melo - di - ous. 
               C                                   F                            C                   G7  C 
And the larks they sang me - lo - dious, at the dawning of the day.

A sailor and his true love were walking one day.
Said the sailor to his true love, "I'm bound far away.
Bound for the East Indies where loud cannons do roar,
I must go and leave you Nancy, you're the girl that I adore!”
“I must go and leave you Nancy. 
I must go and leave you Nancy.
I must go and leave you Nancy, you're the girl that I adore!”

Then the ring from off her finger she instantly drew.
Saying, "Take this my dearest Willie, and my heart will go too!"
And as he embraced her, tears from her eyes fell.
Saying, "May I go along with you?" - "Oh no me love farewell!"
Saying, "May I go along with you?"
Saying, "May I go along with you?"
Saying, "May I go along with you?" - "Oh no me love farewell!"

“So it’s fare thee well my dearest Nancy, I'm bound far away.
The ship is a-waiting out there in the bay.
The anchor is hoisted, she awaits the next flowing tide,
And if ever I return again, I will make you my bride!”
“And if ever I return again,
And if ever I return again,
And if ever I return again, I will make you my bride!”

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