Well Sold The Cow- Gallagher (NS) 1950 Creighton
[Creighton and Senior first collected from Catherine Gallagher in 1933 then again 1939. According to David Gregory:
On the other hand, at the lighthouse on nearby Chebucto Head the two women discovered Catherine (Mrs. Edward) Gallagher, who became a close friend as well as one of their most prolific and accomplished informants.
R. Matteson 2014]
WELL SOLD THE COW- from the singing of Mrs Edward Gallagher, Chebucto Head, Nova Scotia. Published by Creighton in 1950
1 Come all you good people, and story I will tell,
'Tis of a rich landlord. In Yorkshire he did dwell,
Also of a youth whom he hired as a man,
All for to labour, Johnnie was his name,
cho: Fol the lol the day, whack fol the daddle um,
Fol the lol the day, fol the diddle all the day.
2 Early one morning the landlord arose,
Into Johnnie's room he speedily goes,
' Johnnie, you had better take the cow to the Fair,
She's in good order and it's well her I can spare '. (chorus)
3 Johnnie took the cow and drove her out from the farm,
Right to the market as you may understand,
He hadn't gone far when he met him three men,
Who bought Johnnie's cow for seven pound ten. (chorus)
4 Johnnie took the money which was paid in a jink,
He went into a tavern for to get a drink,
Once inside, the landlady he spied,
' Tell me,' he said, ' Where my money for to hide '. (chorus)
5 ' I'll sew it in the lining of your coat,' said she,
' For fear on the highway robbed you may be '.
The highwayman sat there a-drinking of his wine,
He said to hisself, ' All that money, it is mine '. (chorus)
6 Johnnie took his leave and for home he did go,
And the highwayman he followed him also,
He overtook Johnnie and to him did say,
' Jump up behind me boy and ride with me a way '. (chorus)
7 They rode until they came to a lonesome lane,
And the highwayman to Johnnie he did say,
' Give to me your money boy without any strife,
Or else this very instant I will take 'way your life '. (chorus)
8 Johnnie he trembled with anger and affright,
Down from the horse he did instantly alight,
From the lining of his coat he pulled the money out,
And upon the ground he scattered it about (chorus)
9 The highwayman from his horse he did dismount,
Being very eager the money for to count,
And while he was getting all the money in his pride,
Johnnie stole his horse and away he did ride, (chorus)
10 The master being out, seeing Johnnie riding home,
Right up to him he speedily did run,
Saying, ' My boy, you are looking none the worse,
But tell me, has my cow been turned into a horse?' (chorus)
11 The saddle bags were opened an in them there were found
Of silver and gold twice five hundred pounds,
A brace of shining pistols, and the landlord did vow,
' Johnnie, my boy, you well sold the cow '. (chorus)