Lyrics
It's fifty long springtimes since she was a bride,
It has been fifty years since she got married.
But still you may see her at each Whitsuntide
Despite the passing of time, she still attends Whitsuntide celebrations annually.
In a dress of white linen with ribbons of green,
She wears a white linen dress adorned with green ribbons.
As green as her memories of loving.
The green ribbons symbolize memories of her past love.
The feet that were nimble tread carefully now,
Her once nimble feet now move cautiously due to age.
As gentle a measure as age will allow,
She dances gently, restricted by the limitations of age.
Through groves of white blossoms, by fields of young corn,
She walks among white blossoms and young cornfields, reminiscent of her past engagement.
Where once she was pledged to her true-love.
She recalls the time when she was committed to her true love.
The fields they stand empty, the hedges grow (go) free--
The fields are empty, lacking young men to tend them.
No young men to turn them or pastures go see (seed)
There are no young men to cultivate the land or sow seeds.
They are gone where the forest of oak trees before
The men have gone to war, similar to the disappearance of oak forests for battle purposes.
Have gone, to be wasted in battle.
They've been lost or wasted in battle.
Down from the green farmlands and from their loved ones
Men from rural areas have departed from their families.
Marched husbands and brothers and fathers and sons.
Husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons have marched away to war.
There's a fine roll of honor where the Maypole once stood,
A memorial stands where the Maypole once stood, commemorating those lost in war.
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.
Despite the loss, the women still participate in dancing during Whitsun celebrations.
There's a straight row of houses in these latter days
New houses cover the lands where sheep used to graze.
All covering the downs where the sheep used to graze.
The rural landscape has been transformed by housing developments.
There's a field of red poppies (a gift from the Queen)
A field of red poppies exists, possibly a remembrance symbol linked to war.
But the ladies remember at Whitsun,
The women remember the past during Whitsun celebrations.
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.
Despite the changes, women continue to dance during Whitsun.
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