The version of "The Unquiet Grave" that I sing can be found in Andrew Gant's Folk Songs of the British Isles. It is somewhat simpler being in a constant 6/8 than the one given in Cecil Sharp's 80 English Folk Songs and has, to its detriment, two fewer verses. It is interesting to note that the that the line " My breast it is as cold as clay, " in the older version has been bowdlerised to "You crave one kiss of my clay-cold lips in the newer.
It is the type of a beautiful sad song folk song that I like to think of as being the perfect example of an English folk song.

Surfer Jim Buttram has, in December, 2000 has e-mailed me that the Goth-rock band "Faith and the Muse" has also recorded a very lively Celtic-inspired rendition of this song on their album "Elyria.". Thanks a lot for the info Jim.

Lyrics