A Farmer's Son He Courted Me- William Bailey (Som) 1906 Sharp
[From: Cecil Sharp Manuscript Collection (at Clare College, Cambridge) (CJS2/9/1058)
R. Matteson 2017]
A Farmer's Son He Courted Me-- sung by William Bailey of Cannington, Somerset on August 18, 1906. Collected by Cecil Sharp.
A farmer's son he courted me
Until he had gained his liberty
He gained it of me with a free good will
But all his faults I love him still.
O I wished to my heart my babe it was born
And it was smiling on it's dada's arms
And my poor body as cold as the clay
And the green grass growing over me
O once I could tie my apron string low
My true love would follow through frost & snow
But now my apron string up to my chin
My love'll pass by and say nothing
For there is an ale house in this town
My true love and set himself down
He take another girl on his knee
And don't you think it's a grief to me
A grief, a grief, I'll tell you for why
Because she has got more gold than I
But beauty will fade and her gold it will last
And she will become like me at last
But I wish to my heart my babe it was born
And it was smiling on it's dada's arms
And my poor body as cold as the clay
And the green grass growing over me
Twas down in the garden this poor girl did run
Gathering flowers so fast as they sprung
[Of every sort she there did pull[1],
Until she got her apron full.]
She gathered green grass all for her bed
And a wreath of roses for her head
She laid herself down but she never more spoke
Because poor girl her heart was broke
O when the sad news to her lover did go
Which made his very blood run cold
I'm glad said he that she died so well
For I longs to hear that mournful bell
O what a silly young girl was she
To think she could fancy none but me
But man was not made to love one alone
But man was made to love & to roam.
1. The last two lines were missing -- supplied from the "Constant Lady" broadside.