The Rainbow ‘Mid The Willows

Last night I dreamed of my true love
all in my arms I held her
last night I dreamed of my true love
all in my arms I held her

When I awoke she was not there
now I must live without her
oh I awoke and she was not there
now I must live without her

They have taken away my own true love
and tears now wet my pillow
yes they’ve taken away my own true love
and tears now wet my pillow

Oh she’s the only one I love
my rainbow mid the willows

I searched for her both far and wide
I’ve made some low enquiries
yes I searched for that girl both far and wide
I’ve made some low enquiries

They all said no she is not here
we would have no such in our keeping
no no they lied she is not here
we would have no such in our keeping

But when she heard me speak these words
she whispered low at her window
yes when she heard me speak these words

She whispered low at her window
oh darling I’d be in your company
but locks and chains hinder
yes darling I’d be in your company

But locks and chains hinder
oh when I heard her speak these words

I swore that locked room I would enter
yes when I heard these words of hers
I swore that locked room I would enter

For I would know the reason why
she was locked and chained within there
I would surely know the reason why
she was locked and chained within there

Up stamped her father stern and wise
likewise two stalwart brothers
up stamped her father stern and wise
likewise two stalwart brothers

Oh before you’d enter that locked room
in your life’s blood you will wallow
oh before you’d enter that locked room
in your life’s blood you will wallow

They have taken away my own true love
and tears now wet my pillow
yes they’ve taken away my own true love
and tears now wet my pillow

Oh she’s the only one I love
my rainbow mid the willows
yes she’s the only one I love
my rainbow mid life’s willows

Traditional

“Rainbow ‘Mid The Willows” is a song collected by Alan Lomax in the Ozark Mountains, set by Irvine to a tune adapted from a Hungarian Csángó song previously recorded by Hungarian folk group Muzsikás.