Sheffield Park- Frank Hinchliffe (York) 1976 REC
[From recording by Mike Yates and Ruairidh Greig. Yates notes follow.
Listen; http://www.yorkshirefolksong.net/song.cfm?songID=39
The last stanza is derived from Constant Lady, the flower is called "hearts-ease" flower.
R. Matteson 2017]
The Park district of Sheffield lies just to the east of the city centre and it is to this area that Frank had always understood the song to refer, although there is also a place called Sheffield Park in Sussex, and it must be said that this is the only example from the north of England in Roud's 81 entries. But Frank said that the song was well-known in his area, and Ford of Chesterfield printed it on a broadside together with The White Cockade which Frank also knew. It was also printed as The Unfortunate Maid of Sheffield in Holroyd's Collection of Yorkshire Ballads ed. C Forshaw (1892). It certainly dates from before 1832, when it was listed in the catalogue of songs printed by the Catnach Press.
"Sheffield Park." Sung by Frank Hinchliffe of Crosspool at his home near Sheffield, Yorkshire, 1976.
Down Sheffield Park a maid did dwell,
A brisk young man he loved her well.
He courted her from day to day,
At length he stole her heart away.
One morning upstairs to make her bed,
She lay her down her weary head.
Her mistress came, unto her did say:
"What is the matter with you today?"
"Oh Mistress, oh Mistress, you little do know,
What trials and troubles that I undergo.
Place your right hand upon my left breast,
My fainting heart, it knows no rest."
"Then write him a letter, and write it with speed,
And send it to him, if he can read.
And bring me an answer without delay,
For young Colin has stolen your heart away."
"Then gather leaves to make my bed,
A feathery pillow for my weary head.
And the leaves they'll flutter from tree to lea,
Will make a covering o'er me."
"There is a flower that bloom-eth in May,
That's seldom seen by night or day.
And the leaves they flutter from tree to lea,
Will make a covering o'er me."