High Germany (Roud 904), is a traditional folk song, once known throughout England, Ireland and Scotland, with a history spanning hundreds of years. There are three songs known as High Germany. This page focuses on the best known one, the others being The Two Lovers or True Lovers (Roud 1445) and The Wars of Germany (Roud 5608).[1]

The song deals with a young man (usually named Willy) and his lover (Polly) lamenting over his conscription to fight in Germany, "High Germany" referring to the southern, mountainous part of the country. He attempts to convince her to join him in the war. "Polly" professes her love, but declares she is not fit for war. "Willy" attempts to persuade her to change her mind, stating that he will buy her a horse to ride, and that they will eventually wed. "Polly" still refuses and laments that her man has been drafted away from her. The historical setting of the ballad is most likely either the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714) or the Seven Years War (1756–1763).[2]

The first verse is usually as follows:

Oh Polly love, oh Polly, the rout has now begun.
We must go a-marching to the beating of the drum.
Dress yourself all in your best and come along with me.
I'll take you to the war, my love, in High Germany.[1]

Cecil Sharp collected a version in 1906,[3] and successfully encouraged Gustav Holst to use the melody in A Somerset Rhapsody (1907). Ralph Vaughan Williams later used the melody in the third movement of his famous English Folk Song Suite (1923).

Field recordings

Countless versions of the ballad have been found,[4] including numerous recordings, several of which are available online. The following examples are some which use variations of the famous tune.

  • 1908: Archer Lane of Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, recorded on phonograph by Percy Grainger[5]
  • 1956: Phoebe Smith of Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, recorded by Peter Kennedy[6]
  • 1968: Ethel Findlater of Dounby, Orkney, recorded by Alan J. Bruford[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Higher Germanie / High Germany (Roud 904; G/D 1:96)". mainlynorfolk.info. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  2. ↑ "Song: High Germany written by [Traditional] | SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  3. ↑ Woods, Fred (1983). The Oxford Book of English Traditional Verse. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 180–81 & 376.
  4. ↑ "English Folk Dance and Song Society: The National Organisation for the Development of the Folk Arts". www.vwml.org. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  5. ↑ "High Germany (part 1) - Percy Grainger ethnographic wax cylinders - World and traditional music | British Library - Sounds". sounds.bl.uk. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  6. ↑ "High Germany (Roud 904) (1956) (Reissue) - Phoebe Smith". YouTube.
  7. ↑ "High Germany (Roud 904) (Early Recording) - Ethel Findlater". YouTube.
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