Isle of France (Live)

[Intro]
This song is called "Isle of France." Um, we're not sure where it is. It could be France, but it's not really an island, France, so uh, maybe— Well, obviously I'd be hopeless at being the folk singer who gives you a history lesson because I have no idea what or where the Isle of France— Martin Carthy would know.

It's Paris. It's what? It's Paris. It doesn't really fit in with the story, though. We'll try it, we'll try it. We'll try it. Transportation also not a big thing in medieval times, but we'll see. Alright. But that was good, thanks. Thanks. We should do this togеther more often.

Onе, two, three, four

[Verse 1]
Oh, the sky was dark, the night advanced
When a convict came to the Isle of France
And round his leg was a ringing chain
And his country was the Shamrock Green

[Verse 2]
"I'm from the Shamrock," this convict cried
"That has been tossed on the ocean wide
For being unruly I do declare
I was doomed to transport these seven long years"

[Verse 3]
"When six of them they were up and past
I was coming home to make up the last
And the winds did blow and the seas did roar
Cast me here on this foreign shore"

[Verse 4]
So then the coastguard, he played a part
And with some brandy he cheered the convict's heart
"Although the night is far advanced
Well, you shall find a friend on the Isle of France"

[Verse 5]
So he sent a letter all to the queen
Concerning the wreck of the Shamrock Green
And his freedom came by a speedy post
For the absent convict they thought was lost

[Verse 6]
"God bless the coastguard," this convict cried
"'Cause he's saved my life from the ocean wide
And I'll drink his health in a flowing glass
Here's success to the Isle of France"

[Outro]
Ellis, Ellis Paul, who we're doing a massively long tour with, and I'm very glad to be able to say that because we're having a good time, um, he has, um— This is my harmonica holder, but he has this uh, see he has some pretty — My CDs are just lying flat there. But you can tell he does this a bit better than I do because his CDs are on these, this natty little thing. I mean, they're good, aren't they? Basically, that's classy. But when I first saw it, I kind of— I thought it was going to be like, kind of a little one, you know? And I do have this little peewee harmonica, it's about that long. And I mean, it's kind of good, isn't it? You could do it. So it's brilliant, it's a thing that— It's brilliant. It's brilliant. It's brilliant. It's fantastic. It's a thing that's not only is a CD rack, but also a peewee harmonica holder.

I don't do that every night. I just save that for you guys. It's true.

So now we'd like to play one of my songs. And you know what? Those of you who have been to my shows and those of you who haven't, there isn't really a set list in operation this evening. So if there's anything you want to hear, you know, just, uh, shout it out at the appropriate moment. Which tends to be not during the quieter moments of the beautiful songs. Just thought I'd add that, in case some people thought that was, you know, the way to be.

"Ordinary Weekend." Okay. That was actually a good time to shout out. Now, that was pretty much, you know, when you're meant to do that kind of thing. Now, that was well done. Well done, well done. That man. "Red Rose and the Briar", another great one. "Handful of Sand," not gonna happen. It's best to be clear, you don't want to tease.