The Sprig of Thyme facts for kids

The Sprig of Thyme is a very old and popular British and Irish folk song. It's also known by many other names like The Seeds of Love, Maiden’s Lament, Garners Gay, Let No Man Steal Your Thyme, or Rue. This song uses plants and other symbols to teach young people an important lesson: be careful about who you trust, especially in friendships and relationships. It warns against people who might not be honest or true. The song was first written down in 1689, and since then, many different versions have been sung and shared. It's listed in the Roud Folk Song Index as number 3, showing how well-known it is.

What the Song is About

The song often tells a story using plants as symbols. Different versions of the song have slightly different stories, but they all share a similar message.

The Maiden's Lament

In one version called Maiden’s Lament, a young woman talks about her garden. She tells everyone to keep their own "gardens fair" and not let anyone "steal their thyme." Thyme here often means innocence, time, or even a person's heart.

She explains that she once had a sprig of thyme. But then, a gardener’s son came along. He brought beautiful flowers like a red rose and a blue violet. However, he also brought some bitter rue. The gardener's son took her thyme and left only the rue in its place. Rue is a plant that often symbolizes sadness or regret.

Her parents were upset about what happened. But the young woman decides to move on. She says she will cut the head off the rose and plant a willow tree for everyone to see. A willow tree often represents sorrow or moving on. She believes that even after a "dark and cloudy morn," a "pleasant day" will come. This means that even after sad times, good things can happen.

Let No Man Steal Your Thyme

Another version, known as Let No Man Steal Your Thyme, has a similar message. In this song, the singer wishes to be with someone they care about. But they also warn dishonest people not to cause them trouble. They say that even if the grass is "trodden down" (stepped on), it will eventually "rise again." This means that even if someone tries to hurt or trick you, you can recover and become strong again. It's a message of hope and resilience.

Garners Gay

In some versions of Garners Gay, the singer decides to get rid of all the rue. Instead, they plant a strong oak tree. An oak tree is a symbol of strength and lasting loyalty. The hope is that the oak will grow strong and stay as true as the stars in the sky. This shows a desire for honesty and strong, lasting relationships.

Other plants are sometimes mentioned in different versions of the song. Each plant adds to the symbolic meaning of the story.

Who Has Sung This Song?

Many famous folk singers and bands have recorded versions of "The Sprig of Thyme" or its other titles. This shows how important and timeless the song's message is.

• Jean Redpath sang "Rue" on her 1962 album Skipping Barefoot Through the Heather.
• Anne Briggs recorded "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme" in 1963.
• Kathy and Carol included "A Sprig of Thyme" on their 1965 album.
• Pentangle recorded "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme" on their first album in 1968.
• Shelagh McDonald sang "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme" on her 1970 album.
• Foster and Allen released "A Bunch of Thyme" as a single in 1979.
• Jim Moray performed "Seeds Of Love" on his 2003 album Sweet England.
• Carey Mulligan and Michael Sheen sang a version in the 2015 movie Far From The Madding Crowd.