Blackbirds and Thrushes

Collected by Cecil Sharp in Somerset, Blackbirds and Thrushes is a four-verse song which tells the story of Nancy, a ‘fair maid’ whose lover, Jimmy, went to war. Expecting him not to return, Nancy laments his death. But when Jimmy does return safely, he finds Nancy has died in anguish, and he is heartbroken.

Selected from Folk Roots for Alto Saxophone. In this timeless new collection, Hywel Davies presents fresh interpretations of traditional British folk-tunes together with complementary folk-inspired original compositions for developing saxophonists to learn, enjoy and perform.