Down By The Salley Garden
Marianne Faithfull · Other Songs - Marianne Faithfull
My love and I did meet.
She passed the Salley Gardens
With little snow white feet.
She bid me take life easy
As the leaves grow on the trees.
But I being young and foolish,
With her did not agree.
In a field by the river
My love and I did stand.
And on my healing shoulder
She laid her snow white hand.
She bid me take love easy
As the grass grows on the weeds.
But I was young and foolish
And now I'm full of tears.
Down by the Salley Gardens
My love and I did meet.
She passed the Salley Gardens
With little snow white feet.
She bid me take love easy
As the leaves grow on the trees,
But I was young and foolish
And with her did not agree.
Down By The Salley Garden
Marianne Faithfull's 'Down By The Salley Garden' stands as a hauntingly beautiful reimagining of a traditional English folk song, recorded during her early years in the late 1960s. The track showcases her distinctive, breathy vocal style that would become a hallmark of her career, blending folk authenticity with a melancholic, almost ethereal delivery. Released without a formal album title, the recording captures the raw emotional depth characteristic of her work on 'Faithfull' and subsequent releases. It reflects the era's fascination with traditional ballads and Faithfull's unique ability to transform familiar melodies into deeply personal narratives. The song remains a significant song in her discography, illustrating her transition from a pop sensation to a respected figure in the folk revival scene.