The Brisk Young Farmer- U.S. Gilley
[This English ballad is known as the Golden Glove, or The Dog and Gun [Laws N20]. It was published before 1825 (broadside, Bodleian Harding B 28(181)) and has been recorded by Bradley Kincaid, "Dog and Gun" (Bluebird B-5255, 1933).
R. Matteson 2014]
THE BRISK YOUNG FARMER
1. 'Twas of a rich squire from London he came,
He courted a fair damsel, Miss Sally by name,
And when they agreed to a wedding day,
A young farmer was chosen to give the bride away.
2. The day that was appointed for them to wed,
Instead of getting married the lady went to bed.
Tho thought of the farmer had run in her mind,
That, a way for to win him she quickly did find.
3. There were vest, coat, and pantaloons the lady she put on,
And away she went a-hunting with her dog and gun.
Oft times she tried but nothing she did kill ;
At last the young farmer came out, on the hill.
4. "Why weren't you at the wedding?" the lady she replied,
"A-waiting on the squire to hand him his bride?"
"Oh no, my dear sir; the truth to you I'll tell
I'll not give her away for I love her too well."
5. It pleased the young lady to hear him so bold,
She handed him a glove that was flowered with gold
Saying, "I picked it up as I came along,
As I went a-hunting, with my dog and gun."
6. She went on liorr.e with her heart, full of love,
She let it, be known that she'd tossed her glove,
Saying, "He that, will find it and bring it to me :
The man who does find it, his bride I will be."
7. It pleased the young farmer to hear of the news,
He picked up the glove and on he did go,
Saying, "Humble , r,adasi, humble I have brought you your glove,
Now will you be so kind as to grant me your love ?"
8. '' 'Tis already granted", the lady she replied,
"I love the sweet breath in the farmer," she cried,
"I'll be mistress of my dairy while milking of my cows,
While the jolly brisk young farmer goes whistling to his plow."
Melody and all the words except as noted below were furnished by Mr. U. S. Gllley, of Route 5, Smithville, Tennessee. He
does not remember when nor where nor from whom he learned it. He says simply, "I've known it all my life." Mr. Gilley is a good singer, and has composed several religious songs , but he has done nothing to the old song above except remember and sing it, as he learned it in his early youth.
The last half of the first verse, the last half of the second verse, the last half of the fourth verse , and the last half of the fifth verse were furnished by Mr. Billy Slatgon. Mr. Slatgon says he learned the greater part of the song from Mr. Gilley, and that, Mr. Gilley later forgot some of the verses . A later visit with Mr. Gilley corroborated this to some extent, though he gets that Mr. Watson has added at least two or three of the couplets Mr. Slatgon says he may have learned some of it elsewhere, since he, also, has known it all his life.
Each three men and their families sing the melody as written.