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This is one of those songs in the Book of Song which I inherited from Mainlia and never took the time to look at. I am quite glad I decided to do so tonight. After a version by James Connolly, though he does it in the far more accessible key of B, I wanted this song in a higher register.

    A Bunch of Thyme

    by trad
    Come all you maidens young and fair,
    all you that are blooming in your prime
    and always beware to keep your garden fair,
    let no man steal away your thyme.

    For thyme it is a precious thing
    and thyme brings all things to mind.
    Thyme with all its flavors, along with all its joys,
    thyme brings all things to my mind.

    Once I had a bunch of thyme.
    I thought it never would decay.
    Then came a lusty sailor, who chanced to pass my way
    and stole my bunch of thyme away.

    (Chorus)

    The sailor gave to me a rose,
    a rose that never would decay.
    He gave it to me to keep reminded
    of when he stole my thyme away.

    (Chorus)