O What Is That Upon Thy Head?

DESCRIPTION: "O what is that upon thy head, so dazzling and so bright? O what is that upon thy breast, Which shines so clear and bright? Upon my head there's glorious hope, upon my breast my shield, And with my sword I mean to fight Until I've gained the field."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1905 (Journal of the Folk-Song Society; reportedly originally collected c. 1852)
KEYWORDS: battle clothes religious
FOUND IN: Britain(England(West))
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Gundry-CanowKernow-SongsDancesFromCornwall, p. 35, "O What Is That Upon Thy Head?" (1 text, only partly traditional, plus a Cornish translation, 1 tune)
Roud #3308
NOTES [45 words]: Gundry-CanowKernow-SongsDancesFromCornwall, liking the tune of this piece, expanded it based on Ephesians 6:13-17, the section on "the whole armour of God." It's an interesting continuation, but I'm not convinced that it really reflects the original intent of the song. - RBW
Last updated in version 4.5
File: Gund035

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