One Misty Moisty Morning
One misty moisty morning when cloudy was the weather I met with an old man a-clothed all in leather He was clothed all in leather with a cap beneath his chin Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again This rustic was a thresher as on his way he hied And with a leather bottle fast buckled by his side He wore no shirt upon his back but wool unto his skin Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again I went a little further and there I met a maid A-going a-milking, a-milking Sir she said Then I began to compliment and she began to sing Saying how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again This maid her name was Dolly clothed in a gown of grey I being somewhat jolly persuaded her to stay And straight I fell a-courting her in hopes her love to win Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again I having time and leisure, I spent a vacant hour A-telling of my treasure while sitting in the bower With many kind embraces I stroke her double chin Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again I said that I would married be and she would be my bride And long we should not tarry and twenty things beside I’ll plough and sow and reap and mow and you shall sit and spin Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again Her parents then consented, all parties were agreed Her portion thirty shillings, we married were with speed Then Will the piper he did play whilst others dance and sing Saying how do you do and how do you do and how do you do again Then lusty Ralph and Robin with many damsels gay Did ride on Roan and Dobbin to celebrate the day And when they met together their caps they off did fling Singing how do you do and how do you do and how do you do And how do you do again
Alison Gross
Alison Gross that lives in yon tower The ugliest witch in the North Country Has trysted me one day up to her bower And many a fair speech she made to me She stroked my head and she combed my hair She set me down softly on her knee Saying if you will be my lover so true So many good things I would give to you Away, away, you ugly witch Go far away and let me be I never will be your lover so true And wish I were out of your community [Chorus] Alison Gross she must be The ugliest witch in the North Country Alison Gross she must be The ugliest witch in the North Country She showed me a mantle of red scarlet With golden flowers and fringes fine Saying if you will be my lover so true This goodly gift it shall be thine She showed me a shirt of the softest silk Well wrought with pearls abound the band Saying if you will be my lover so true This goodly gift you shall command [Chorus] She showed me a cup of the good red gold Well set with jewels so fair to see Saying if you will be my lover so true This goodly gift I will give to thee Away, away, you ugly witch Go far away and let me be I never would kiss your ugly mouth For all of the gifts that you could give [Chorus] She turned her right and round about And thrice she blew on a grass-green horn She swore by the moon and the stars up above That she’d make me rue the day I was born Then out she has taken a silver wand She’s turned her three times round and round She muttered such words till my strength it did fail And she’s turned me into an ugly worm [Chorus]
The Bold Poachers
Concerning of three young men One night in January According laws contrary A-poaching went straightway They were inclined to ramble Amongst the trees and brambles A-firing at the pheasants Which brought the keepers nigh The keepers dared not enter Nor cared the woods to venture But outside near the center In them old bush they stood The poachers they were tired And to leave they were desired At, at last young Parkins fired And spilled one keeper’s blood Fast homeward they were making Nine pheasants they were taking When another keeper faced them They fired at him also He on the ground lay crying Just like some person dying With no assistance nigh him May God forgive their crime Then they were taken with speed All for that inhuman deed It caused their hearts to bleed For their young tender years There seen before was never Three brothers tried together Three brothers condemned for poaching Found guilty as they stood Exiled in transportation Two brothers they were taken And the other hung as a token May God forgive their crime
The Ups And Downs
As I was going to Aylesbury all on a market day A pretty little Aylesbury girl I met upon the way Her business was to market with butter, cheese and whey And we both jogged on together my boys, fol-der-o diddle-o-day And we both jogged on together my boys, fol-der-o diddle-o-day As we jogged on together my boys together side by side By chance this fair maid’s garter by chance it came untied For fear that she might lose it I unto her did say Your garter’s come untied my love, fol-der-o diddle-o-day Your garter’s come untied my love, fol-der-o diddle-o-day As we jogged on together my boys to the outskirts of the town At length this fair young damsel she stopped and looked around Oh, since you’ve been so venturesome pray tie it up for me Oh, I will if you go to the apple grove, fol-der-o diddle-o-day Oh, I will if you go to the apple grove, fol-der-o diddle-o-day And when we got to the apple grove the grass was growing high I laid this girl upon her back her garter for to tie While tying of her garter such sights I never did see And we both jogged on together my boys, fol-der-o diddle-o-day And we both jogged on together my boys, fol-der-o diddle-o-day O since you’ve had your will of me come tell to me your name Likewise your occupation and where and whence you came My name is Mickey the drover boy from Dublin town come I And I live at the sign of the ups and downs, fol-der-o diddle-o-day And I live at the sign of the ups and downs, fol-der-o diddle-o-day And when she got to Aylesbury her butter was not sold And the losing of her maidenhead it made her blood run cold He’s gone, he’s gone, he’s gone, she said, he’s not the lad for me For he lives at the sign of the ups and downs, fol-der-o diddle-o-day For he lives at the sign of the ups and downs, fol-der-o diddle-o-day
The Wee Wee Man
'Twas down by Carterhaugh Father Between the water and the wall There I met with a wee wee man And he was the least that ever I saw His legs were scarce a finger’s length And thick and nimble was his knee Between his eyes a flee could go Between his shoulders were inches three His beard was long and white as as swan His robe was neither green nor gray He clapped his hands, down came the mist And he sank and he’s fainted clean away He pulled up a stone six feet in height And flung it farther than I could see And though I’d been a giant born I’d never had lifted it to my knee O, wee wee man but thou are strong Come tell me where thy dwelling be I dwell beneath a bonny green bower O, will ye come with me and see? His beard was long and white as as swan His robe was neither green nor gray He clapped his hands, down came the mist And he sank and he’s fainted clean away He pulled up a stone six feet in height And flung it farther than I could see And though I’d been a giant born I’d never had lifted it to my knee We rode on and we sped on Until we came to a bonny green hall The roof was made of the beaten gold And purest crystal was the floor There were pipers playing on every stair And ladies dancing in glistering green He clapped his hands, down came the mist And the man and the hall no more were seen His beard was long and white as as swan His robe was neither green nor gray He clapped his hands, down came the mist And he sank and he’s fainted clean away He pulled up a stone six feet in height And flung it farther than I could see And though I’d been a giant born I’d never had lifted it to my knee
The Weaver And The Factory Maid
Oh, when I was a tailor, I carried my bodkin and shears When I was a weaver, I carried my roods and my gear My temples also, my small clothes and reed in my hand And wherever I go, here’s the jolly bold weaver again I’m a hand weaver to my trade I fell in love with a factory maid And if I could but her favour win I’d stand beside her and weave by steam My father to me scornful said "How could you fancy a factory maid?" When you could have girls fine and gay Dressed like unto the Queen of May As for your fine girls I don’t care If I could but enjoy my dear I’d stand in the factory all the day And she and I’d keep our shuttles in play I went to my love’s bedroom door Where often times I had been before But I could not speak nor yet get in The pleasant bed that my love lies in How can you say it’s a pleasant bed When nowt lies there but a factory maid? And a factory lass although she be Blest is the man that enjoys she O pleasant thoughts come to me mind As I turn down the sheets so fine And I seen her two breasts standing so Like two white hills all covered with snow The loom goes click and the loom goes clack The shuttle flies forward and then flies back The weaver’s so bent that he’s like to crack Such a wearisome trade is the weaver The yarn is made into cloth at last The ends of the weft they are made quite fast The weaver’s labors are now all past Such a wearisome trade is the weaver Where are the girls, I will tell you plain The girls have gone to weave by steam And if you’d find them you must rise at dawn And trudge to the mill in the early morn Oh, when I was a tailor, I carried my bodkin and shears When I was a weaver, I carried my roods and my gear My temples also, my small clothes and reed in my hand And wherever I go, here’s the jolly bold weaver again
Rogues In A Nation
Farewell to all our Scottish fame Farewell our ancient glory Farewell even to our Scottish name Sae fam’d in martial story Now Sark runs over the Solway sands And Tweed runs to the ocean To mark where England’s province stands Such a parcel of rogues in a nation What force or gile could not subdue Through many warlike ages Is wrought now by a coward few For hireling traitor’s wages The English steel we could disdain Secure in valor’s station But English gold has been our bane Such a parcel of rogues in a nation I would or I had seen the day That treason thus could sell us My auld gray head had lain in clay Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace But pith and power, till my last hour I’ll make this declaration We were bought and sold for English gold Such a parcel of rogues in a nation
Cam Ye O’er From France
Cam ye o’er frae France? Cam ye down by Lunnon? Saw ye Geordie Whelps and his bonny woman? Were ye at the place ca’d the Kittle Housie? Saw ye Geordie’s grace riding on a goosie? Geordie he’s a man there is little doubt o’t He’s done a' he can, wha can do without it? Down there came a blade linkin' like my lordie He wad drive a trade at the loom o' Geordie Though the claith were bad, blythly may we niffer Gin we get a wab, it makes little differ We hae tint our plaid, bannet, belt and swordie Ha’s and mailins braid, but we hae a Geordie Geordie’s gane to France and Montgomery’s lady There they’ll learn to dance, Madam, are ye ready? They’ll be back betide belted, brisk and lordly Brawly may they thrive to dance a jig wi' Geordie Hey for Sandy Don, hey for Cockolorum Hey for Bobbing John and his Highland Quorum Mony a sword and lance swings at Highland hurdie How they’ll skip and dance o’er the bum o' Geordie
Hares On The Mountain
Young women they run like hares on the mountain And if I was a young man I’d soon go a-hunting Young women they sing like birds in the bushes If I was a young man I’d go beat them bushes Young women they swim like ducks in the water If I was a young man I’d soon go swim after Young women they run like hares on the mountain And if I was a young man I’d soon go a-hunting