"The Keys of Canterbury” (some versions say “to Canterbury”) is a dialogue song from England, similar to “A Paper of Pins,” a song which is better known in the United States and which you can read about here. The verses are often performed in turn by a male and a female singer. The song is sometimes titled “Madam, Will You Walk?”
This version is from the Contemplator folk song website.
O Madam, I will give you
The keys of Canterbury,
And all the bells in London
Shall ring to make us merry.
If you will be my joy, my sweet and only dear,
And walk along with me, anywhere.
I shall not, Sir, accept of you
The keys of Canterbury,
Nor all the bells in London,
Shall ring to make us merry.
I will not be your joy, your sweet and only dear,
Nor walk along with you, anywhere.
O Madam, I will give to you
A pair of boots of cork,
The one was made in London,
The other made in York,
If you will be my joy, my sweet and only dear,
And walk along with me, anywhere.
I shall not, Sir, accept of you
A pair of boots of cork,
Though both were made in London,
Or both were made in York.
I will not be your joy, your sweet and only dear,
Nor walk along with you, anywhere.
O Madam, I will give you
A little gold bell,
To ring for your servants,
And make them serve you well.
If you will be my joy, my sweet and only dear,
And walk along with me, anywhere.
I shall not, Sir, accept of you
A little gold bell,
To ring for all my servants,
And make them serve me well.
I will not be your joy, your sweet and only dear,
Nor walk along with you, anywhere.
O Madam, I will give you
A gallant silver chest,
With a key of gold and silver
And jewels of the best.
If you will be my joy, my sweet and only dear,
And walk along with me, anywhere.
I shall not, Sir, accept of you
A gallant silver chest,
With a key of gold and silver
And jewels of the best.
I will not be your joy, your sweet and only dear,
Nor walk along with you, anywhere.
O Madam, I will give you
A broidered silken gownd,
With nine yards a-drooping
And training on the ground,
If you will be my joy, my sweet and only dear,
And walk along with me, anywhere.
O Sir, I will accept of you
A broidered silken gownd,
With nine yards a-drooping
And training on the ground,
Then I will be your joy, your sweet and only dear,
And walk along with you, anywhere.
Video Links
We recommend the following videos:
This slightly slower version, from the album Nevermind Catherine's Chants Of Love And Death (2009) . The Youtube video shows performers from the dance studio “Kadans.”
Families with younger children may enjoy this less “arty” but very fun Wiggles video, titled “Madam Will You Walk,” from The Emma and Lachy Show. (Note that it refers to the “keys of Cheshire” rather than Canterbury.)
One upbeat (more contemporary) recording is by the folk group Show of Hands from their album Arrogance Ignorance and Greed, but we add the caution that they insert an original verse which contains mild profanity.
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