Name: Coal Black Wine
Duration: P00H03M42S
Description: Adapted from 'King Death' (Roud Number: V1508, printed between 1813 and 1838). A song about the lure of Death. Taken from the Bodleian Broadside Ballad Archive.

Coal Black Wine

from Neighbours and Sisters by Bird in the Belly

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£1 GBP or more
Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Adapted from 'King Death' (Roud Number: V1508, printed between 1813 and 1838). A song about the lure of Death. Taken from the Bodleian Broadside Ballad Archive.

lyrics

King Death was a peerless fellow
He sat where no sun can shine
He lifted his hand so yellow
And poured out the coal black wine

There came to him many a maiden
Whose eyes had forgot to shine
And widows with grief over laden
Begged for the coal black wine

When will I be called to go?
They say that heaven only knows
The young have fun, but when the day is done
There’s a cup for us all

The scholar left all of his learning
The poet left all of his mind
The beauty left all of his blooming
Tempted by coal black wine

All came to the peerless fellow
Who laughed till his eyes dropped brine
And he gave them his hand so yellow
And pledged them in death’s black wine

credits

from Neighbours and Sisters, released October 18, 2019

license

about

Bird in the Belly Brighton, UK

Bird in the Belly is a Brighton-based Folk group consisting of folk-duo Hickory Signals (Laura Ward and Adam Ronchetti), alt- folk singer-songwriter Ben Webb (Jinnwoo, Green Ribbons), and multi-instrumentalist and producer Tom Pryor. Together they collect little known and forgotten lyrics, poems and stories from around the UK, and set them to their own “hypnotically original compositions” (fRoots). ... more

birdinthebelly.com

contact / help

Contact Bird in the Belly

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Bird in the Belly, you may also like:

HOLD FAST
by Stick In The Wheel

supported by 6 fans who also own “Coal Black Wine”

I usually haaaate autotune voices, but done this way it's brilliant. When enough craftsmanship is used. Hard to pick a favourite from this great album. One of my favourites of the year! soundofperpetualastonishment
go to album
Blackletter Garland
by Hack-Poets Guild

supported by 5 fans who also own “Coal Black Wine”

this is one of the most beautiful collections of music I've heard in a very long time. every song draws your attention - don't plan on doing anything else while you listen. more please 🙏 kimmcb
go to album
Tonebeds for Poetry
by Stick In The Wheel

supported by 5 fans who also own “Coal Black Wine”

Beautiful - cultband worthy - music. Slight hints of Death in Vegas did it for me. qibote
go to album
Ship To Shore
by Richard Thompson

The legendary Richard Thompson's new solo album exemplifies his many musical paths, from pop and cabaret to jazz to traditional folk. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 2, 2024
go to album
Endurance Soundly Caged
by Stick In The Wheel

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
go to album
Spider Tales
by Jake Blount

This album speaks to the continuum of African diasporic culture that is central to the vibrant canon of Americana folk music. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 29, 2020
go to album
Still As Your Sleeping
by Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan

supported by 5 fans who also own “Coal Black Wine”

Thanks for the beautiful music Karine and Dave. it's been a while since I've felt so emotional listening to a new album. Every lyric is so beautifully supported by the piano parts. Laura-Beth Salter
go to album