Constant Farmer's Son- Walter Roast (NS) 1950 Creighton A
[From Creighton and Senior; Traditional Songs from Nova Scotia, 1950. Recording by Creighton, Jan. 8, 1944.
R. Matteson 2016]
Constant Farmer's Son- Sung by Mr. Walter Roast, Chezzetcook, NS before 1950.
1. There was a rich man's daughter in London she did dwell,
She was modest, fair and handsome, and was called the village belle,
She was admired by lords and squires, but all their hopes were vain,
But there was one, a farmer's son, poor Mary's heart did gain.
2. Long time this couple courted and fixed the wedding day,
Her parents they consented, but her brothers they said nay,
"There is a lord who pledged his word and him she shall not shun,
For we'll betray and then will slay her constant farmer's son."
3. A fair was held not far from here, her brothers went straightway.
They asked young William's company with them !o spend the day,
But when returning home that night, they swore his life was run,
Then with a stake the life did take of the constant farmer's son.
4. Those villains they returned home, "Oh sister dear," did say,
"Don't think no more of your false love but let him go his way,
For it is true, in love he flew, with another girl has run,
Therefore we came to tell the same, of your constant farmer's son."
5. Poor Mary on her bed of down, she dreamed an awful dream,
she dreamed she saw his body lie down by a crystal stream,
She then arose, put on her clothes, for to seek her love she run,
When dead and cold she did behold, her constant farmer's son.
6.The tears they were upon his cheeks, all mingled with his gore,
She shrieked in vain, to ease the pain, and kissed him ten times o'er,
She picked green leaves, all off the trees, for to shield him from the sun,
When a night and a day she passed away by constant farmer's son.
7. But hunger came a-creeping o'er, poor thing, she shrieked with woe,
And for to find those murderers she straightway home did go,
Saying, "Parents dear you soon shall hear of a dreadful deed that's done,
For in yonder vale lies dead and pale, my constant farmer's son."
8. Up stepped her oldest brother saying, "Sister it was not me,"
Likewise replied the younger one, and swore most bitterlee,
Says Mary said, "Do not turn so red, nor try the laws to shun,
For you done the deed, and you shall bleed, for my constant farmer's son."
9. The villains they did own their guilt and for the same did die,
Poor Mary fell in deep despair and she always mourned and cried,
Her parents they did fade away for the links of life were done,
Poor Mary cried, in sorrow died, for her constant farmer's son.