I feel happy to have found this song for Mixed Music Bag’s last April 2025 offering. It’s one where I not only recognized the band but liked the song. Listening to the simple lyrics that get repeated several times with only minor changes in them has me wondering what is going on here. Was he really poaching? Or was he an innocent that was kidnapped and forced into indentured servitude in another land? What do you think?
From wiki:
Steeleye Span are a British folk rock band formed in 1969 in England by Fairport Convention bass player Ashley Hutchings and established London folk club duo Tim Hart and Maddy Prior. The band were part of the 1970s British folk revival, and were commercially successful in that period, with four Top 40 albums and two hit singles: “Gaudete” and “All Around My Hat.”
Looking through their discography, “Gone to America” is on their 11th studio album, “Sails of Silver,” released in 1980 (1981 in the U.S.) The album was produced two years after the band’s ostensible break-up. At the request of Chrysalis Records Peter Knight and Bob Johnson both returned, replacing their own replacements Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick, who departed after the release of Live at Last. Sails of Silver was a commercial failure, and this proved a final straw for Tim Hart, who departed the band, leaving Maddy Prior as the band’s sole remaining founding member.
Although the band now sported the same line-up that had brought it to the height of its success, Sails of Silver has often been seen as embodying a different spirit from their classic albums of the 1970s. Prior to Sails of Silver, the band had always performed songs written by other people, predominantly traditional songs, but also a few 20th century pieces, but on this album they included several songs they had written themselves. This was the beginning of a trend that continues down to the present. Every album they have released since Sails has had at least one song written by band members.
Gone to America
Married him in April, lost him in July;
Listen to my story and I'll tell you why,
They said that he'd been poaching and stealing wine,
They said I wouldn't see him for a long long time.
They said he's gone to America,
To work the land that some call Virginia;
They said he's gone to America.
Married him in April, lost him in July;
They took him as their prisoner then told me why,
They said that they had sent him where poachers go,
I asked if I could see him but they said no.
They said he's gone to America,
To work the land that some call Virginia;
They said he's gone to America.
Married him in April, lost him in July.
instrumental
Married him in April, lost him in July;
Curse the men who took him, curse their wicked lie,
The night they saw him poaching and stealing wine,
Was the night that he took comfort in these arms of mine.
But now he’s gone to America
To work the land that some call Virginia;
They said he's gone to America.
Married him in April, lost him in July.
Songwriter: Peter Knight
Glyn is the host of Mixed Music Bag. Glyn says:
It’s the penultimate week to find a song linked to April. This could be a word in the title or in the lyrics.
Tao Talk 
That is an interesting song! I have not heard of this group before today!
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The first time I heard this group I was in love. I have just one album of theirs but I listen to them on Spotify.
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Yes, there’s more to Steeleye Span than just ‘All Around My Hat’.
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Glyn, when I saw that this was their 11th album and up to that point they were doing traditional music, I knew they were deep. Makes me want to hear their earlier stuff. The harmonies are sacred music.
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I haven’t heard this for ages. Great song!
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Esther, glad to bring it back to you :)
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I never heard this song. I know the band, but not well – whenever I heard their name I always thought “Steely Dan” and so went off to listen to that jazz influenced rock (I won’t use the “Y” word…) Anyway, I enjoy this.
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Thanks for giving it a chance, Trent. It’s a simple song but so deep.
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Good song. I primarily know Steeleye Span by name and to date have only covered one of their songs: “Jack Hall” – their rendition of a traditional English folk song from the early 18th century. The lyrics of “Gone to America” are pretty ambiguous to me. That said, interpreting words never has been my particular strength! :-)
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Welcome back, Christian! I have one of their albums, which I bought after hearing Gaudete. Will look for your post.
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I see I listened to it on The Sunday Six :) Jack Hall sounds easy going.
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Thanks, Lisa!
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You’re welcome :)
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Did you ever notice no one ever says their ancestors were indentured servants? This was such a common practice I would bet a great majority of our ancestors came here this way. Kind of messes with the “get out of my country ” aesthetic, doesn’t it?
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Yes, it does, Violet.
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I haven’t heard this in a long time. So much good music from those British-Irish-Scottish folk revival groups. I was thinking of Silly Wizard the other day. (K)
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Yes there is. Have you heard of one called Colosseum? Not sure I’ve heard of Silly Wizard.
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The jazzy touch makes an interesting addition.
Here’s the song I was thinking of
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Such a gorgeous song, K. I’m adding it to my FF this week. It fits so well there.
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I’m glad you like it!
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I do!
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Good choice Lisa
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Thanks, Glyn. I think May will have a lot of songs to choose from.
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