| Music File Barry Taylor |
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The words are a poem by William Butler Yeats which was published in Crossways in 1889. Herbert Hughes set it to music. A salley is a willow tree. It was once common to have gardens of willows for osiers (willow rods). These gardens were kept to have material for basket-making and for thatch roofing of cottages. The Gaelic for willow is saileach.* The English usage of sally for willow tree may come from the Gaelic. |
Down by the salley gardens My love and I did meet; She passed the salley gardens With little snow-white feet. She bid me take love easy, As the leaves grow on the tree; But I, being young and foolish with her did not agree. In a field by the river My love and I did stand And on my leaning shoulder She laid her snow-white hand. She bid me take life easy, As the grass grows on the weirs; But I was young and foolish And now am full of tears. |
| From Folk Songs of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales See Bibliography for full information. *Information from a post to rec.music.celtic by Finbar Boyle |
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