Although historically shunned by the all-male medical profession, midwives and wise-women were often the only help that many people could afford.
This is a song about the woman who was there to help when no-one else would.
lyrics
Many a time I've been woken to find
A frantic man upon my door knocking,
He begs me to hurry and tend to his wife,
For the child won't be too long in coming.
Weary I follow him up to the farm,
And there I find his young wife is labouring,
I pray to the Lord for one easy birth –
For the child in it's mothers arms laying...
There's many who'd shun a woman like me,
Though many I have had hand in helping,
When times are hardest or hope nearly lost,
It's into the the woods they come calling.
Many a time I've returned home to find,
A young girl on my doorstep crying,
Her face it is drawn and her belly is tight,
For a child won't be too long in coming.
Some girls I've had they've been barely fifteen,
Their bodies still too slight to carry,
The lads take their pleasure and next day move on,
Take with them their promise to marry....
There's many who'd shun a woman like me,
Though many I have had hand in helping,
When times are hardest or hope nearly lost,
It's into the the woods they come calling.
These days I'm often called into the town,
To tend to the needs of the dying,
When they cross over it's me lays them out,
And pray I have eased their passing...
There's many who'd shun a woman like me,
Though many I have had hand in helping,
When times are hardest or hope nearly lost,
It's into the the woods you come calling.
credits
from Rise Aurora,
released December 1, 2016
Words & music by Rosie Hodgson.
Arranged by Rosie Hodgson & Rowan Piggott.
Rosie is a folk singer/songwriter from Midhurst, West Sussex. Having grown up surrounded by traditional music, her voice
possesses a naturalness and maturity, bringing "a ruby-richness to lyrics new and old". (Folk Radio UK)
Rosie is currently touring with her trio, The Wilderness Yet....more
supported by 14 fans who also own “Woman Of The Woods”
Rosie's voice is so pure and sweet, yet so rich and full of character. And when the three of them sing together (as on "Old Brock"), it's really magical. Their special music is certainly What Holds The World Together for me. John Fisher
Adapting their calculated standards into a raw, live setting, the radical UK folk duo rework six highlights from their spellbindincatalogue. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 7, 2022