Constant Farmer's Son- G. Bowditch (Dor) 1906 Hammond
[From: Henry Hammond Manuscript Collection (HAM/3/14/19)
R. Matteson 2016]
The Constant Farmer's Son- sung by George Bowditch of Charmouth, Dorset in March, 1906. Collector: Hammond, H.E.D.
1. Tis of a merchant's daughter in London town did dwell,
She was modest, fair and handsome, her parents loved her well.
She was admired by lords and squires, but all their hopes were vain,
For there was one, a farmer's son, young Mary could not pain[1].
2. Long time young William courted her, and he fixed the wedding day,
And her parents they consulted with her, and her brothers both did say
"There is a lord whose pledged his word, and it shall not be shunned;
For he will him slay and not betray, your constant farmer's son."
3. A fair was held not far from town; and her brothers went straightway,
So they asked young William's company for to with them to pass the day;
But mark— he returned home again for he saw his race was run,
For with a stake, the life they take of the constant farmer's son.
4. These villains then returning home,"O sister"they did say,
"Pray think no more of your false love, but let him go his way,
For it's truth we tell, in love he fell, and with some other one;
Therefore we come to tell the same of the constant farmer's son."
5. Now on the pillow young Mary lay, she dreamed a terrible dream,
She dreamed she saw his body lie down by a crystal stream,
Then she arose, put on her clothes, and away to her love did run,
There dead and cold, she did behold the constant farmer's son.
6. The salt tear stood upon his eyes, which was mingleted[2] with gall (gore),
She shrieked in vain, she ceased no pain, but she kissed him a thousand times o'er,
She gathered green leaves all from the trees, to keep him from the sun,
One night and day was passed away with her constant farmer's son.
7. But hunger at last came creeping on; poor girl she shickled (shrieked) for woe,
Straightway to find his murderer out, straightway home she did go,
Saying 'Parents dear, you soon shall hear, of the dreadful deed that is done,
Down yonder vale lies dead and pale, my constant farmer's son."
8. Then up spake the oldest brother and he swore that it was not he,
The same replied the younger one, but he cried most bitterly,
But young Mary said "Don't turn so red, nor try the lord (laws) to be shun,
You've a-done the deed, and you shall bleed for my constant farmer's son."
9. Those villains then they owned their guilt, and for the same they did die;
And Mary's heart was always true, and never ceased to cry;
[The parents they did fade away, the glass of life was run,][3]
But at last Mary cried, and for sorrow she died of her constant farmer's son.
1. "young Mary's heart did gain" appears in most versions
2. mingled
2. this line was left off the original MS- supplied from Burstow's version