North Country Maid
Marianne Faithfull · Decca Years 1965-1967 [2007]
Although with her nature it did not agree.
So she wept and she sighed and bitterly she cried,
"oh, I wish once again in the north I could be."
For the oak and the ash and the bonny ivy tree
They all grow green in the north country.
While sadly I roam I regret my dear home,
Where the lads and young lasses are making the hay.
Where the birds sweetly sing, and the merry bells do ring
And the maidens and meadows are pleasant and gay.
For the oak and the ash and the bonny ivy tree
They all grow green in the north country.
No doubt if I please, I could marry with ease,
Where maidens are fair, many lovers will come.
But he that I wed must be north country bred
And carry me back to my own country.
For the oak and the ash and the bonny ivy tree
They all grow so green in the north country.
North Country Maid
Marianne Faithfull's "North Country Maid" stands as a haunting centerpiece on her 2007 compilation of early Decca recordings. Released during the mid-1960s, the track exemplifies the raw, folk-inflected pop style that defined her initial rise to prominence. The song features a distinctive vocal performance characterized by its intimate delivery and emotional vulnerability, contrasting with the upbeat, driving rhythm of the underlying arrangement. As part of her broader discography from that era, the recording captures the transitional moment when Faithfull began blending traditional song structures with a more personal, confessional approach. The composition remains a notable example of the genre's evolution in Britain during the mid-decade, showcasing her ability to convey complex narratives through melody and tone without relying on overt theatricality.