Swaledale / Beautiful Dale

[ Roud 8128 ; TYG 46 ; Mudcat 148739 ; trad.]

Mary and Nigel Hudleston: Songs of the Ridings

Will Noble sang Swaledale in 1992 on his Veteran Tapes cassette of South-West Yorkshire songs, In That Beautiful Dale. This track was also included in 1993 on the Veteran anthology of traditional folk music, songs and dances from England, Stepping It Out!.

Carollers at the Royal Hotel in Dungworth sang Swaledale in a 3 December 1995 recording made by Ian Russell that was included in 1996 on the Village Carols CD Hark, Hark! What News. Another recording made by Nigel Bewley at Grenoside Cummunity Centre on 30 November 1996 was included in 1998 on the Village Carols CD A Festival of Village Carols 1996.

Keith Kendrick sang Beautiful Dale in 2003 on his WildGoose album Well Seasoned. He noted:

The inspiration for this setting is down to Will Noble (The Holme Valley Nightingale) and his many exemplary performances of this wonderful song. Thanks to Paul Sartin for his help in getting the harmony arrangement worked out.

Lyrics

Will Noble sings Swaledale

I will sing of a place that is dear to my heart,
A place where I always would dwell,
And if you will kindly lend me an ear
A few of its beauties I’ll tell.

Chorus:
In that beautiful dale, home of the Swale,
How well do I love thee, how well do I love thee,
Beautiful dale, home of the Swale,
Beautiful, beautiful dale.

O it’s far far away from the noise and the din
Of colliery an’ factory an’ mill,
From the bustle and stir of town life, shut in
By verdant and radiant hills.

And how often as boys have we wandered along
Beside of the river so clear;
The birds never failing to sing their sweet song
And lend a charm to your ear.

And if fate e’er compels me to leave this dear spot
In other lands far away roam,
My earnest wish whate’er be my lot
Is to end my days here at home.

Royal Hotel Carollers sing Swaledale

I’ll sing you a song that is dear to my heart
Of a place where I always would dwell,
And if you would kindly lend me your ears,
A few of its beauties I’ll tell.

Chorus:
In that beautiful dale, home of the Swale,
How well do I love thee, how well do I love thee,
Beautiful dale, home of the Swale,
Beautiful, beautiful dale.

’Tis far far away from the noise and the din
Of colliery and factory and mills;
From the bustle and stir of town life shut in
By verdant and radiant hills.

As oft times a lad as I wandered along
Beside of the river so clear;
The birds never failing to sing their sweet song
And lend a charm to your ear.

And if fate compel me to leave the dear spot
For other lands far away roam,
My earnest wish, what e’er be my luck,
Is to end my day here at home.