Bailiff's Daughter- Burditt (VT) pre1934 Flanders A
[From A Garland of Green Mountain Song, also Ancient Ballads 1963. This version is closely related to Child A, missing only one verse.
R. Matteson 2012, 2015]
A. Bailiff's Daughter of Islington- Mrs. Elwin Burditt (VT) pre1934 Flanders; as sung by her grandmother, Philadelphia Vine Atkinson, a native of Islington, England.
1 There was a youth, and a well belov-ed youth,
And he was the Squire's son,
He loved the bailiff's daughter dear,
That lived in Islington.
2 But she was coy, and she would not believe
That he did love her so,
Nor at any time she would
Any countenance to him show.
3 And when his friends did understand
His fond and foolish pride,
They sent him up to far London,
An apprentice for to bind.
4 Seven long years went rolling by,
And n'er did his true love see,
'Many a tear have I shed for her sake
When she little thought of me.'
5 All the maids of Islington went forth
To sport and play;
All but the bailiff's daughter dear;
She secretly stole away.
6 As she went along the road,
The weather being hot and dry,
She sat down on a shady bank
Her true-love came riding by.
7 She sprang up with color so bright,
And seized his the bridal reign:
'One penny, one penny, kind sir,
T'would ease me of much pain.'
8 'Before I give you a penny, sweetheart,
Pray tell where you were born?'
'At Islington, kind sir,' said she,
Where I have had many a scorn.'
9 'Before I give you a penny, sweetheart,
Pray tell me whether you know
The bailiff's daughter of Islington?'
'She's dead, sir, long ago.'
10 'If she's dead then take my horse,
My saddle and my bridal also;
I will into some far land,
Where no one me shall know.'
11 'O stay, O stay, thou goodly youth!
She's standing by your side,
She is not dead but alive and well,
And is ready to be your bride.'
12 'Depart sorrow, and welcome joy,
Many thousand times and more,
For now I have my own true-love,
Who I thought I would see no more.'