All Around My Hat

Steeleye Span

About All Around My Hat

The song "All Around my Hat" (Roud 567 and 22518, Laws P31) is of nineteenth-century English origin. In an early version, dating from the 1820s, a Cockney costermonger vowed to be true to his fiancée, who had been sentenced to seven years' transportation to Australia for theft and to mourn his loss of her by wearing green willow sprigs in his hatband for "a twelve-month and a day", the willow being a traditional symbol of mourning. The song was made famous by Steeleye Span in 1975. A more traditional version is available on a release sung by John Langstaff. 


Year:
2005
4:07
58 
#1

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All around my hat I will wear the green willow
And all around my hat for a twelve-month and a day
And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearing it
It's all for my true love who's far, far away

Fare thee well cold winter and fare thee well cold frost
Nothing have I gained but my own true love I've lost
I'll sing and I'll be merry when occasion I do see
He's a false deluding young man, let him go farewell he

The other night he brought me a fine diamond ring
But he thought to have deprived me of a far better thing
But I being careful like lovers ought to be
He's a false deluding young man, let him go farewell he

And all around my hat I will wear the green willow
And all around my hat for a twelve-month and a day
And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearing it
It's all for my true love who's far, far away

Here's a half a pound of reasons, and a quarter pound of sense
A small sprig of time and as much of prudence
You mix them all together and you will plainly see
He's a false deluding young man, let him go farewell he

And all around my hat I will wear the green willow
And all around my hat for a twelve-month and a day
And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearing it
It's all for my true love who's far far away

All around my hat I will wear the green willow
And all around my hat for a twelve-month and a day
And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearing it
It's all for my true love who's far, far away

All around my hat I will wear the green willow
And all around my hat for a twelve-month and a day
And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearing it
It's all for my true love who's far, far away

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Steeleye Span

Steeleye Span are an English folk-rock band, formed in 1969 and still active today. Along with Fairport Convention they are amongst the best known acts of the British folk revival, and were among the most commercially successful, thanks to their hit singles "Gaudete" and "All Around My Hat". The band's name is a character in the song Horkstow Grange. They had three Top 40 albums. They achieved a certified gold record with sales of "All Around My Hat". more »

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Written by: TIM HART, ROBERT JOHNSON, RICK KEMP, PETER KNIGHT, NIGEL PEGRUM, MADDY PRIOR

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Release Date Facts
"All Around My Hat" by Steeleye Span was released in the UK in October 1975.
Chart Performance Facts
The song was a great commercial success, reaching number 5 on the UK Singles Chart.
Song's Background and Composition Facts
"All Around My Hat" is a folk-rock song, a fusion of traditional British music with rock elements. - The song is a cover, a rendition of a 19th-century ballad.
Album Facts
The song comes from the album of the same name, which is one of the band's most successful albums. - Both, the song and album were produced by Mike Batt, who is known for creating the Wombles pop act.
Band Facts
The band Steeleye Span is considered one of the most successful British folk rock bands of the 1970s. - The band is famous for taking traditional British music and giving it a modern rock twist.
Cultural Impact Facts
The song's popularity led to a resurgence of interest in traditional British music and helped establish the genre of folk rock in the UK. - Since its release in 1975, the song has been covered by multiple artists, proving its enduring appeal.
Uniqueness Facts
The song's arrangement is notable for its use of the electric bass and the distinctive sound of the tambourine, which stands out in the predominantly acoustic folk genre.
Lyrics Facts
The lyrics of "All Around My Hat" emphasise on the themes of love and longing, telling the tale of a lover's promise to wait for their partner's return.
Music Video Facts
The music video for "All Around My Hat" has a medieval theme. Band members are dressed in historical costume, and the video features traditional folk dancing.
Song's Acknowledgement Facts
In 1990, the song was recognized by the Popular Music And Society for its contribution to British folk music.
Re-release Facts
"All Around My Hat" was reissued in 2009 as a part of the band's 40th anniversary celebration.

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