O, What Is That Upon Thy Head?

Title: O, What Is That Upon Thy Head?
Alternative Title: A Pyth Yw Henna War Dha Ben? (As used by Bagas Degol); Nancledra (as used by Dalla)
key: D Mixolydian
Description: Tune noted at Nancledra, near Penzance, Cornwall, circa 1852, by Joseph White, and communicated Jan, 1905. It is possible that this is a fragment of a hymn unknown elsewhere.

Only one verse was remembered by Mr White. He communicated the fragment to Dr. George Gardiner.

O, what is that upon thy head,
So dazzling and so light?
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.
Temporal Coverage: 1500-1852
Spatial Coverage: Nancledra
Rights Holder: Traditional
Publisher: Journal of the Folk Song Society
Is Referenced By: Journal of the Folk Song Society, 1905, No. 7, p95.