Wikipedia
Sovay is a traditional English folk song ( Roud # 7, Laws N21) about a young woman who dresses and arms herself as a highwayman in order to test her suitor. In disguise she robs her suitor of nearly all his possessions, but even under threat of death he refuses to give up the gold ring given by Sovay, thus proving his devotion. Sovay subsequently confesses the ruse to her lover and returns his various possessions, admonishing him only that had he indeed given up the ring, she would have killed him. The name 'Sovay' is probably a corruption of 'Sophie' or 'Sylvie' - both of which appear instead in some versions of the song.
Versions of the song have been recorded by:
- Bert Jansch
- Kate Fletcher
- Anne Briggs
- Martin Carthy
- Pentangle
- Ruth Barrett and Cyntia Smith
- Anne Wylie Band
- Paisley Close
- Jah Wobble
- Keeper's Gate Band
- Cristina Crawley and Kerstein Blodig
- James Yorkston
- Bella Hardy
- Rasputina
- The Kipper Family
- Méav Ní Mhaolchatha
Andrew Bird's original song Sovay takes its title from the folk song and quotes its opening lines in its chorus.
Andrew Bird's song "Sovay" was originally released as a single before appearing as the first track on his album Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs.