Lovely Joan

The words to "Lovely Joan", as printed in The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs, are as follows: :A fine young man it was indeed, :He was mounted on his milk-white steed; :He rode, he rode himself all alone, :Until he came to lovely Joan. :"Good morning to you, pretty maid." :And, "Twice good morning, sir", she said. :He gave her a wink, she rolled her eye. :Says he to himself, "I'll be there by and by." :"Oh don't you think those pooks of hay :A pretty place for us to play? :So come with me like a sweet young thing :And I'll give you my golden ring." :Then he pulled off his ring of gold. :"My pretty little miss, do this behold. :I'd freely give it for your maidenhead." :And her cheeks they blushed like the roses red. :"Give me that ring into my hand :And I will neither stay nor stand, :For this would do more good to me :Than twenty maidenheads," said she. :And as he made for the pooks of hay :She leaped on his horse and tore away. :He called, he called, but it was all in vain :Young Joan she never looked back again. :She didn't think herself quite safe, :No, not till she came to her true love's gate. :She's robbed him of his horse and ring, :And left him to rage in the meadows green. Sung by C. Jay, Acle, Norfolk (R.V.W. 1908). ==Other uses==

English folk singer Martin Carthy recorded a version of "Lovely Joan" on his self-titled first album. The melody for Lovely Joan was used by Emerson, Lake & Powell on the track Touch and Go of their eponymous album Emerson Lake & Powell in 1986 (uncredited). This traditional English folk song/ballad was integrally covered by Bristol-based teenage folk quartet Folkal Point and released on their self-titled studio album in 1972 through Midas Recordings. Lovely Joan was performed by Miranda Sex Garden on their 1992 release Iris, marking their transition from a madrigal group to an ethereal wave sound. The melody was used for a set of variations commissioned for the 2017 Presteigne Festival from a number of composers, who each wrote one variation. The composers were Thomas Hyde, David Matthews, Adrian Williams, Michael Berkeley, Christopher Gunning, Huw Watkins, Sally Beamish, and Matthew Taylor. ==References==