If I Had A Ribbon Bow

Fairport Convention
from the recording Fairport Convention (1968)

The first single from Fairport. Issued in the UK on the Track label in 1968, featuring Judy Dyble on lead vocals. It appeared as a bonus track on the 2003 Polydor U.K. c.d. re-issue of Fairport Convention

If I had a ribbon bow to tie in my hair
And a gown of calico for me to wear
I'd surely get a sweetheart, a prince or a king
A palace home where I could have everything.


If I had a ribbon bow to tie my hair
This old world could come and go I wouldn't care
I'd stay up in my castle and I'd always wear
A ribbon bow so fine to tie my hair.

All the livlong day, to the lord above me
All I do is pray, for someone to love me.


If I had a ribbon bow, all nice and clean
I could be a princess or a fairy queen
Prince Charming then would court me, his love he would swear
If I had a ribbon bow to tie in my hair.


There's a story of a girl, a story seldom told
What she wanted from this world was not of gems or gold
Her wishes were quite plain as you will see
How often she would simply make this plea.

All the livlong day, to the lord above me
All I do is pray, for someone to love me.


If I had a ribbon bow, all nice and clean
I could be a princess or a fairy queen
Prince Charming then would court me, his love he would swear
If I had a ribbon bow to tie in my hair

[Huey Prince, Louis Singer]

Ian MacDonald (later Matthews), lead vocals, jews harp
Judy Dyble, lead vocals, electric & acoustic autoharps, recorder, piano
Richard Thompson, vocals, lead, electric & acoustic guitars, mandolin
Simon Nicol, vocals, 12 & 6 string electric & acoustic guitars
Tyger Hutchings, bass guitar, jug
Martin Lamble, percussion, violin