The song 'As I Was Going By Charing Cross' historically refers to a street in London known for its public executions, and later, for the equestrian statue of King Charles I. The lyrics reflect upon the passerby's emotional response to coming across the statue, potentially alluding to the historical context of King Charles I's reign and subsequent execution. The traditional and folk nature of the song allows for multiple variations, each iteration contributing to the narrative of the historical significance of Charing Cross and its symbolic impact.
The song begins with a sense of routine commerce, the cry of match sellers at a bustling hub in London. Charing Cross, as a locale steeped in rich and tumultuous history, immediately introduces an element of collective memory. The constant repetition of passing by Charing Cross, seeing the black man on a black horse, which represents the statue of King Charles I, conjures a haunting reminder of the past. The mention of King Charles on his horse might invoke for the listener a recognition of the grandeur and tragedy associated with monarchy, revolution, and the sobering reality of mortality of even the most powerful.
As the song progresses, there's a transition from simple street imagery to a more personal and emotional connection. The line 'Oh dear, my heart was ready to burst!' suggests a visceral reaction to the history symbolized by the statue. The character may be overwhelmed by the sense of history, the weight of the events that took place at Charing Cross, or a personal connection to the story of King Charles I. The song captures the layered experience of engaging with public history: the personal, the commercial, and the communal.
In some variations, there is a mention of an inability to 'vine Charlles the furste', which could reflect a linguistic or historical disconnect, emphasizing the distance between the past and the present. This could also represent a sense of powerlessness or sorrow over the inability to alter or fully connect with history. The contrast between the lively activity of match selling and the somber remembrance of the past creates a poignant emotional dichotomy within the song.
The 'Ride A Cock Horse Variation' adds a layer of nursery rhyme charm to the otherwise stark reminder of royal fate. Combined with the melody generally accompanying these lyrics, there is a juxtaposition of innocence against a backdrop of history. The simplification of the event to seeing 'a black man upon a black horse' adds a universal relatability, as if simplifying the complexities of the past for the understanding of a child or a listener outside the cultural context.
"As I was going by Charing Cross, I saw a black man upon a black horse;"
This line introduces the centerpiece of the song, the equestrian statue of King Charles I, emphasizing visual imagery and the connection between place and historical figure.
"They told me it was King Charles the First-"
This indicates a revelation to the narrator, providing context and identifying the statue's subject, evoking a moment where history is made relatable and accessible to the passerby.
"Oh dear, my heart was ready to burst!"
This line conveys the emotional climax of the song, highlighting a profound, personal reaction to the symbol of King Charles I and the history associated with him.
"Where sitteth King Charles upon a black horse."
This variation of the line reaffirms the image of the statue as a fixture at Charing Cross, symbolizing the permanence of history impressed upon the landscape.