I first heard this fine chorus song, hailing from North Yorkshire, in 1967 whilst living in Leeds, and was one of the resident singers at the Folk Club that was then grandly called, ‘The Yorkshire Folk Centre’.
This song, along with "Three Jolly Fishermen" was collected by Bob Pegg, from Frank Weatherill, a retired stone mason of Danby, on the North York Moors near Whitby. Both songs first appeared in the publication, "Abe’s Folk Music, Vol.6 No.1." They were transcribed from the recorded conversation Bob had with Mr. Weatherill, on 9/11/67, who was then in his 70’s. Mr. Weatherill was also a mainly self-taught musician who played the violin, cello and piano at local dances, weddings and other social functions.
The Bonny Hawthorn - hawthorn in flower
Mr. Weatherill remembered when in his youth, "The Bonny Hawthorne" being sung in harmony, by the local butcher George Williamson Senior, and a group of others at Lealholm in the early
1900’s. The song appears to have been widely known in a small area of the North York Moors, versions of it having been collected in Littlebeck, Goathland and this one in Danby.
The Bonny Hawthorn
1. One midsummer’s morn when all nature looked gay
I met my lovely Jinny a-taking the air.
One midsummer’s morn when all nature looked gay
I met my lovely Jinny a-taking the air.
I said my lovely creature come tell me where you dwell
Chorus
Beside the bonny hawthorn that blooms in the dale.
That blooms in the dale, that blooms in the dale
Beside the bonny hawthorn that blooms in the dale.
2. Then hark, bonny Bess, to the birds in yonder grove.
How delighted they sing when invited to rove.
Then hark, bonny Bess, to the birds in yonder grove.
How delighted they sing when invited to rove.
I said my lovely creature come tell me where you dwell
Chorus
3. I pressed her and said that my love it was sincere
That none on the green was more charming or fair.
I pressed her and said that my love it was sincere
That none on the green was more charming or fair.
I listened with pleasure to her kind and tender care
Chorus
Mick Haywood is a traditional folk singer & folk song collector who has run and organised folk clubs and festivals for many years. He now lives in Whitby, North Yorkshire.
© Copyright 2025 Mick Haywood
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