Chapter 12

LONDON BRIDGELondon Bridge is broken down,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,London Bridge is broken down,With a gay lady.How shall we build it up again?Dance o'er my Lady Lee,How shall we build it up again?With a gay lady.Silver and gold will be stole away,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Silver and gold will be stole away,With a gay lady.Build it up with iron and steel,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Build it up with iron and steel,With a gay lady.Iron and steel will bend and bow,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Iron and steel will bend and bow,With a gay lady.Build it up with wood and clay,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Build it up with wood and clay,With a gay lady.Wood and clay will wash away,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Wood and clay will wash away,With a gay lady.Build it up with stone so strong,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Huzza! 'twill last for ages long,With a gay lady.

London Bridge is broken down,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,London Bridge is broken down,With a gay lady.How shall we build it up again?Dance o'er my Lady Lee,How shall we build it up again?With a gay lady.Silver and gold will be stole away,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Silver and gold will be stole away,With a gay lady.Build it up with iron and steel,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Build it up with iron and steel,With a gay lady.Iron and steel will bend and bow,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Iron and steel will bend and bow,With a gay lady.Build it up with wood and clay,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Build it up with wood and clay,With a gay lady.Wood and clay will wash away,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Wood and clay will wash away,With a gay lady.Build it up with stone so strong,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Huzza! 'twill last for ages long,With a gay lady.

London Bridge is broken down,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,London Bridge is broken down,With a gay lady.

London Bridge is broken down,

Dance o'er my Lady Lee,

London Bridge is broken down,

With a gay lady.

How shall we build it up again?Dance o'er my Lady Lee,How shall we build it up again?With a gay lady.

How shall we build it up again?

Dance o'er my Lady Lee,

How shall we build it up again?

With a gay lady.

Silver and gold will be stole away,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Silver and gold will be stole away,With a gay lady.

Silver and gold will be stole away,

Dance o'er my Lady Lee,

Silver and gold will be stole away,

With a gay lady.

Build it up with iron and steel,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Build it up with iron and steel,With a gay lady.

Build it up with iron and steel,

Dance o'er my Lady Lee,

Build it up with iron and steel,

With a gay lady.

Iron and steel will bend and bow,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Iron and steel will bend and bow,With a gay lady.

Iron and steel will bend and bow,

Dance o'er my Lady Lee,

Iron and steel will bend and bow,

With a gay lady.

Build it up with wood and clay,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Build it up with wood and clay,With a gay lady.

Build it up with wood and clay,

Dance o'er my Lady Lee,

Build it up with wood and clay,

With a gay lady.

Wood and clay will wash away,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Wood and clay will wash away,With a gay lady.

Wood and clay will wash away,

Dance o'er my Lady Lee,

Wood and clay will wash away,

With a gay lady.

Build it up with stone so strong,Dance o'er my Lady Lee,Huzza! 'twill last for ages long,With a gay lady.

Build it up with stone so strong,

Dance o'er my Lady Lee,

Huzza! 'twill last for ages long,

With a gay lady.

HOLY THURSDAY'Twas on a Holy Thursday, their innocent faces clean,Came children walking two and two, in red and blue and green,Grey-headed beadles walked before, with wands as white as snow,Till into the high dome of Paul's they like Thames' waters flow.O what a multitude they seemed, these flowers of London town!Seated in companies they sit with radiance all their own.The hum of multitudes was there, but multitudes of lambs,Thousands of little boys and girls raising their innocent hands.Now, like a mighty wind they raise to Heaven the voice of song,Or like harmonious thunderings the seats of Heaven among.Beneath them sit the aged men, wise guardians of the poor;Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.William Blake

'Twas on a Holy Thursday, their innocent faces clean,Came children walking two and two, in red and blue and green,Grey-headed beadles walked before, with wands as white as snow,Till into the high dome of Paul's they like Thames' waters flow.O what a multitude they seemed, these flowers of London town!Seated in companies they sit with radiance all their own.The hum of multitudes was there, but multitudes of lambs,Thousands of little boys and girls raising their innocent hands.Now, like a mighty wind they raise to Heaven the voice of song,Or like harmonious thunderings the seats of Heaven among.Beneath them sit the aged men, wise guardians of the poor;Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.William Blake

'Twas on a Holy Thursday, their innocent faces clean,

Came children walking two and two, in red and blue and green,

Grey-headed beadles walked before, with wands as white as snow,

Till into the high dome of Paul's they like Thames' waters flow.

O what a multitude they seemed, these flowers of London town!Seated in companies they sit with radiance all their own.The hum of multitudes was there, but multitudes of lambs,Thousands of little boys and girls raising their innocent hands.

O what a multitude they seemed, these flowers of London town!

Seated in companies they sit with radiance all their own.

The hum of multitudes was there, but multitudes of lambs,

Thousands of little boys and girls raising their innocent hands.

Now, like a mighty wind they raise to Heaven the voice of song,Or like harmonious thunderings the seats of Heaven among.Beneath them sit the aged men, wise guardians of the poor;Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.William Blake

Now, like a mighty wind they raise to Heaven the voice of song,

Or like harmonious thunderings the seats of Heaven among.

Beneath them sit the aged men, wise guardians of the poor;

Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.

William Blake

THE MAYORSThis city and this country has brought forth many mayorsTo sit in state, and give forth laws out of their old oak chairs,With face as brown as any nut with drinking of strong ale—Good English hospitality, O then it did not fail!With scarlet gowns and broad gold lace, would make a yeoman sweat;With stockings rolled above their knees and shoes as black as jet;With eating beef and drinking beer, O they were stout and hale—Good English hospitality, O then it did not fail!Thus sitting at the table wide the Mayor and AldermenWere fit to give law to the city; each ate as much as ten:The hungry poor entered the hall to eat good beef and ale—Good English hospitality, O then it did not fail!William Blake

This city and this country has brought forth many mayorsTo sit in state, and give forth laws out of their old oak chairs,With face as brown as any nut with drinking of strong ale—Good English hospitality, O then it did not fail!With scarlet gowns and broad gold lace, would make a yeoman sweat;With stockings rolled above their knees and shoes as black as jet;With eating beef and drinking beer, O they were stout and hale—Good English hospitality, O then it did not fail!Thus sitting at the table wide the Mayor and AldermenWere fit to give law to the city; each ate as much as ten:The hungry poor entered the hall to eat good beef and ale—Good English hospitality, O then it did not fail!William Blake

This city and this country has brought forth many mayors

To sit in state, and give forth laws out of their old oak chairs,

With face as brown as any nut with drinking of strong ale—

Good English hospitality, O then it did not fail!

With scarlet gowns and broad gold lace, would make a yeoman sweat;With stockings rolled above their knees and shoes as black as jet;With eating beef and drinking beer, O they were stout and hale—Good English hospitality, O then it did not fail!

With scarlet gowns and broad gold lace, would make a yeoman sweat;

With stockings rolled above their knees and shoes as black as jet;

With eating beef and drinking beer, O they were stout and hale—

Good English hospitality, O then it did not fail!

Thus sitting at the table wide the Mayor and AldermenWere fit to give law to the city; each ate as much as ten:The hungry poor entered the hall to eat good beef and ale—Good English hospitality, O then it did not fail!William Blake

Thus sitting at the table wide the Mayor and Aldermen

Were fit to give law to the city; each ate as much as ten:

The hungry poor entered the hall to eat good beef and ale—

Good English hospitality, O then it did not fail!

William Blake

THE FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMANI'll sing you a good old song,Made by a good old pate,Of a fine old English gentlemanWho had an old estate,And who kept up his old mansionAt a bountiful old rate;With a good old porter to relieveThe old poor at his gate,Like a fine old English gentlemanAll of the olden time.His hall so old was hung aroundWith pikes and guns and bows,And swords, and good old bucklers,That had stood some tough old blows;'Twas therehis worshipheld his stateIn doublet and trunk hose,And quaffed his cup of good old sack,To warm his good old nose,Like a fine old English gentlemanAll of the olden time.When winter's cold brought frost and snow,He opened house to all;And though threescore and ten his years,He featly led the ball;Nor was the houseless wandererE'er driven from his hall;For while he feasted all the great,He ne'er forgot the small;Like a fine old English gentlemanAll of the olden time.But time, though old, is strong in flight,And years rolled swiftly by;And Autumn's falling leaves proclaimedThis good old man must die!He laid him down right tranquilly,Gave up life's latest sigh;And mournful stillness reigned around,And tears bedewed each eye,For this fine old English gentlemanAll of the olden time.Now surely this is better farThan all the new paradeOf theatres and fancy balls,"At home" and masquerade:And much more economical,For all his bills were paid.Then leave your new vagaries quite,And take up the old tradeOf a fine old English gentleman,All of the olden time.

I'll sing you a good old song,Made by a good old pate,Of a fine old English gentlemanWho had an old estate,And who kept up his old mansionAt a bountiful old rate;With a good old porter to relieveThe old poor at his gate,Like a fine old English gentlemanAll of the olden time.His hall so old was hung aroundWith pikes and guns and bows,And swords, and good old bucklers,That had stood some tough old blows;'Twas therehis worshipheld his stateIn doublet and trunk hose,And quaffed his cup of good old sack,To warm his good old nose,Like a fine old English gentlemanAll of the olden time.When winter's cold brought frost and snow,He opened house to all;And though threescore and ten his years,He featly led the ball;Nor was the houseless wandererE'er driven from his hall;For while he feasted all the great,He ne'er forgot the small;Like a fine old English gentlemanAll of the olden time.But time, though old, is strong in flight,And years rolled swiftly by;And Autumn's falling leaves proclaimedThis good old man must die!He laid him down right tranquilly,Gave up life's latest sigh;And mournful stillness reigned around,And tears bedewed each eye,For this fine old English gentlemanAll of the olden time.Now surely this is better farThan all the new paradeOf theatres and fancy balls,"At home" and masquerade:And much more economical,For all his bills were paid.Then leave your new vagaries quite,And take up the old tradeOf a fine old English gentleman,All of the olden time.

I'll sing you a good old song,

Made by a good old pate,

Of a fine old English gentleman

Who had an old estate,

And who kept up his old mansion

At a bountiful old rate;

With a good old porter to relieve

The old poor at his gate,

Like a fine old English gentleman

All of the olden time.

His hall so old was hung aroundWith pikes and guns and bows,And swords, and good old bucklers,That had stood some tough old blows;'Twas therehis worshipheld his stateIn doublet and trunk hose,And quaffed his cup of good old sack,To warm his good old nose,Like a fine old English gentlemanAll of the olden time.

His hall so old was hung around

With pikes and guns and bows,

And swords, and good old bucklers,

That had stood some tough old blows;

'Twas therehis worshipheld his state

In doublet and trunk hose,

And quaffed his cup of good old sack,

To warm his good old nose,

Like a fine old English gentleman

All of the olden time.

When winter's cold brought frost and snow,He opened house to all;And though threescore and ten his years,He featly led the ball;Nor was the houseless wandererE'er driven from his hall;For while he feasted all the great,He ne'er forgot the small;Like a fine old English gentlemanAll of the olden time.

When winter's cold brought frost and snow,

He opened house to all;

And though threescore and ten his years,

He featly led the ball;

Nor was the houseless wanderer

E'er driven from his hall;

For while he feasted all the great,

He ne'er forgot the small;

Like a fine old English gentleman

All of the olden time.

But time, though old, is strong in flight,And years rolled swiftly by;And Autumn's falling leaves proclaimedThis good old man must die!He laid him down right tranquilly,Gave up life's latest sigh;And mournful stillness reigned around,And tears bedewed each eye,For this fine old English gentlemanAll of the olden time.

But time, though old, is strong in flight,

And years rolled swiftly by;

And Autumn's falling leaves proclaimed

This good old man must die!

He laid him down right tranquilly,

Gave up life's latest sigh;

And mournful stillness reigned around,

And tears bedewed each eye,

For this fine old English gentleman

All of the olden time.

Now surely this is better farThan all the new paradeOf theatres and fancy balls,"At home" and masquerade:And much more economical,For all his bills were paid.Then leave your new vagaries quite,And take up the old tradeOf a fine old English gentleman,All of the olden time.

Now surely this is better far

Than all the new parade

Of theatres and fancy balls,

"At home" and masquerade:

And much more economical,

For all his bills were paid.

Then leave your new vagaries quite,

And take up the old trade

Of a fine old English gentleman,

All of the olden time.

BRING US IN GOOD ALEBring us in good ale, and bring us in good ale;For y sour blessed Ladake bring us in good ale!Bring us in no browne bred, for that is made of brane,[57]Nor bring us in no white bred, for therein is no gane,But bring us in good ale!Bring us in no befe, for there is many bones,But bring us in good ale, for that goth downe at ones,And bring us in good ale!Bring us in no bacon, for that is passing fat,But bring us in good ale, and gife us enought of that;And bring us in good ale!Bring us in no mutton, for that is often lene,Nor bring us in no tripes, for they be seldom clene,But bring us in good ale!Bring us in no egges, for there are many schelles,But bring us in good ale, and gife us nothing elles;And bring us in good ale!Bring us in no butter, for therein are many hores,[58]Nor bring us in no pigges flesch, for that will make us bores,But bring us in good ale!Bring us in no podinges, for therein is all Godes good,[59]Nor bring us in no venesen, for that is not for our blod;But bring us in good ale!Bring us in no capons flesch, for that is oftė dere,Nor bring us in no dokes[60]flesch, for they slober in the mere,But bring us in good ale!

Bring us in good ale, and bring us in good ale;For y sour blessed Ladake bring us in good ale!Bring us in no browne bred, for that is made of brane,[57]Nor bring us in no white bred, for therein is no gane,But bring us in good ale!Bring us in no befe, for there is many bones,But bring us in good ale, for that goth downe at ones,And bring us in good ale!Bring us in no bacon, for that is passing fat,But bring us in good ale, and gife us enought of that;And bring us in good ale!Bring us in no mutton, for that is often lene,Nor bring us in no tripes, for they be seldom clene,But bring us in good ale!Bring us in no egges, for there are many schelles,But bring us in good ale, and gife us nothing elles;And bring us in good ale!Bring us in no butter, for therein are many hores,[58]Nor bring us in no pigges flesch, for that will make us bores,But bring us in good ale!Bring us in no podinges, for therein is all Godes good,[59]Nor bring us in no venesen, for that is not for our blod;But bring us in good ale!Bring us in no capons flesch, for that is oftė dere,Nor bring us in no dokes[60]flesch, for they slober in the mere,But bring us in good ale!

Bring us in good ale, and bring us in good ale;For y sour blessed Ladake bring us in good ale!

Bring us in good ale, and bring us in good ale;

For y sour blessed Ladake bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no browne bred, for that is made of brane,[57]Nor bring us in no white bred, for therein is no gane,But bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no browne bred, for that is made of brane,[57]

Nor bring us in no white bred, for therein is no gane,

But bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no befe, for there is many bones,But bring us in good ale, for that goth downe at ones,And bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no befe, for there is many bones,

But bring us in good ale, for that goth downe at ones,

And bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no bacon, for that is passing fat,But bring us in good ale, and gife us enought of that;And bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no bacon, for that is passing fat,

But bring us in good ale, and gife us enought of that;

And bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no mutton, for that is often lene,Nor bring us in no tripes, for they be seldom clene,But bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no mutton, for that is often lene,

Nor bring us in no tripes, for they be seldom clene,

But bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no egges, for there are many schelles,But bring us in good ale, and gife us nothing elles;And bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no egges, for there are many schelles,

But bring us in good ale, and gife us nothing elles;

And bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no butter, for therein are many hores,[58]Nor bring us in no pigges flesch, for that will make us bores,But bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no butter, for therein are many hores,[58]

Nor bring us in no pigges flesch, for that will make us bores,

But bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no podinges, for therein is all Godes good,[59]Nor bring us in no venesen, for that is not for our blod;But bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no podinges, for therein is all Godes good,[59]

Nor bring us in no venesen, for that is not for our blod;

But bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no capons flesch, for that is oftė dere,Nor bring us in no dokes[60]flesch, for they slober in the mere,But bring us in good ale!

Bring us in no capons flesch, for that is oftė dere,

Nor bring us in no dokes[60]flesch, for they slober in the mere,

But bring us in good ale!

THE VISION OF MAC CONGLINNEA vision that appeared to me,An apparition wonderfulI tell to all:There was a coracle all of lardWithin a Port of New-Milk LakeUpon the world's smooth sea.We went into that man-of-war,'Twas warrior-like to take the roadO'er ocean's heaving waves.Our oar-strokes then we pulledAcross the level of the main,Throwing the sea's harvest upLike honey, the sea-soil.The fort we reached was beautiful,With works of custards thick,Beyond the lake.Fresh butter was the bridge in front,The rubble dyke was fair white wheat,Bacon the palisade.Stately, pleasantly it sat,A compact house and strong.Then I went in:The door of it was hung beef,The threshold was dry bread,Cheese-curds the walls....Behind it was a well of wine,Beer and bragget in streams,Each full pool to the taste.Malt in smooth wavy seaOver a lard-spring's brinkFlowed through the floor....A row of fragrant apple-trees,An orchard in its pink-tipped bloom,Between it and the hill.A forest tall of real leeks,Of onions and of carrots, stoodBehind the house.Within, a household generous,A welcome of red, firm-fed men,Around the fire:Seven bead-strings and necklets sevenOf cheeses and of bits of tripeRound each man's neck.The Chief in cloak of beefy fatBeside his noble wife and fairI then beheld.Below the lofty cauldron's spitThen the Dispenser I beheld,His fleshfork on his back.

A vision that appeared to me,An apparition wonderfulI tell to all:There was a coracle all of lardWithin a Port of New-Milk LakeUpon the world's smooth sea.We went into that man-of-war,'Twas warrior-like to take the roadO'er ocean's heaving waves.Our oar-strokes then we pulledAcross the level of the main,Throwing the sea's harvest upLike honey, the sea-soil.The fort we reached was beautiful,With works of custards thick,Beyond the lake.Fresh butter was the bridge in front,The rubble dyke was fair white wheat,Bacon the palisade.Stately, pleasantly it sat,A compact house and strong.Then I went in:The door of it was hung beef,The threshold was dry bread,Cheese-curds the walls....Behind it was a well of wine,Beer and bragget in streams,Each full pool to the taste.Malt in smooth wavy seaOver a lard-spring's brinkFlowed through the floor....A row of fragrant apple-trees,An orchard in its pink-tipped bloom,Between it and the hill.A forest tall of real leeks,Of onions and of carrots, stoodBehind the house.Within, a household generous,A welcome of red, firm-fed men,Around the fire:Seven bead-strings and necklets sevenOf cheeses and of bits of tripeRound each man's neck.The Chief in cloak of beefy fatBeside his noble wife and fairI then beheld.Below the lofty cauldron's spitThen the Dispenser I beheld,His fleshfork on his back.

A vision that appeared to me,An apparition wonderfulI tell to all:There was a coracle all of lardWithin a Port of New-Milk LakeUpon the world's smooth sea.

A vision that appeared to me,

An apparition wonderful

I tell to all:

There was a coracle all of lard

Within a Port of New-Milk Lake

Upon the world's smooth sea.

We went into that man-of-war,'Twas warrior-like to take the roadO'er ocean's heaving waves.Our oar-strokes then we pulledAcross the level of the main,Throwing the sea's harvest upLike honey, the sea-soil.

We went into that man-of-war,

'Twas warrior-like to take the road

O'er ocean's heaving waves.

Our oar-strokes then we pulled

Across the level of the main,

Throwing the sea's harvest up

Like honey, the sea-soil.

The fort we reached was beautiful,With works of custards thick,Beyond the lake.Fresh butter was the bridge in front,The rubble dyke was fair white wheat,Bacon the palisade.

The fort we reached was beautiful,

With works of custards thick,

Beyond the lake.

Fresh butter was the bridge in front,

The rubble dyke was fair white wheat,

Bacon the palisade.

Stately, pleasantly it sat,A compact house and strong.Then I went in:The door of it was hung beef,The threshold was dry bread,Cheese-curds the walls....

Stately, pleasantly it sat,

A compact house and strong.

Then I went in:

The door of it was hung beef,

The threshold was dry bread,

Cheese-curds the walls....

Behind it was a well of wine,Beer and bragget in streams,Each full pool to the taste.Malt in smooth wavy seaOver a lard-spring's brinkFlowed through the floor....

Behind it was a well of wine,

Beer and bragget in streams,

Each full pool to the taste.

Malt in smooth wavy sea

Over a lard-spring's brink

Flowed through the floor....

A row of fragrant apple-trees,An orchard in its pink-tipped bloom,Between it and the hill.A forest tall of real leeks,Of onions and of carrots, stoodBehind the house.

A row of fragrant apple-trees,

An orchard in its pink-tipped bloom,

Between it and the hill.

A forest tall of real leeks,

Of onions and of carrots, stood

Behind the house.

Within, a household generous,A welcome of red, firm-fed men,Around the fire:Seven bead-strings and necklets sevenOf cheeses and of bits of tripeRound each man's neck.

Within, a household generous,

A welcome of red, firm-fed men,

Around the fire:

Seven bead-strings and necklets seven

Of cheeses and of bits of tripe

Round each man's neck.

The Chief in cloak of beefy fatBeside his noble wife and fairI then beheld.Below the lofty cauldron's spitThen the Dispenser I beheld,His fleshfork on his back.

The Chief in cloak of beefy fat

Beside his noble wife and fair

I then beheld.

Below the lofty cauldron's spit

Then the Dispenser I beheld,

His fleshfork on his back.

STOOL-BALL... Now milkmaids' pails are deckt with flowers,And men begin to drink in bowers,The mackarels come up in shoals,To fill the mouths of hungry souls;Sweet sillabubs, and lip-loved tansey,For William is prepared by Nancy.Much time is wasted now away,At pigeon-holes, and nine-pin play,Whilst hob-nail Dick, and simp'ring Frances,Trip it away in country dances;At stool-ball and at barley-break,Wherewith they harmless pastime make....

... Now milkmaids' pails are deckt with flowers,And men begin to drink in bowers,The mackarels come up in shoals,To fill the mouths of hungry souls;Sweet sillabubs, and lip-loved tansey,For William is prepared by Nancy.Much time is wasted now away,At pigeon-holes, and nine-pin play,Whilst hob-nail Dick, and simp'ring Frances,Trip it away in country dances;At stool-ball and at barley-break,Wherewith they harmless pastime make....

... Now milkmaids' pails are deckt with flowers,

And men begin to drink in bowers,

The mackarels come up in shoals,

To fill the mouths of hungry souls;

Sweet sillabubs, and lip-loved tansey,

For William is prepared by Nancy.

Much time is wasted now away,

At pigeon-holes, and nine-pin play,

Whilst hob-nail Dick, and simp'ring Frances,

Trip it away in country dances;

At stool-ball and at barley-break,

Wherewith they harmless pastime make....

MILKING PAILSMary's gone a-milking,A rea, a ria, a roses,Mary's gone a-milking,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Take your pails and go after her,A rea, a ria, a roses,Take your pails and go after her,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine.Buy me a pair of new milking pails,A rea, a ria, a roses,Buy me a pair of new milking pails,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Where's the money to come from,A rea, a ria, a roses,Where's the money to come from,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Sell my father's feather bed,A rea, a ria, a roses,Sell my father's feather bed,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.What's your father to sleep on,A rea, a ria, a roses,What's your father to sleep on,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Put him in the truckle bed,A rea, a ria, a roses,Put him in the truckle bed,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.What are the children to sleep on,A rea, a ria, a roses,What are the children to sleep on,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Put them in the pig-sty,A rea, a ria, a roses,Put them in the pig-sty,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.What are the pigs to lie in,A rea, a ria, a roses,What are the pigs to lie in,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Put them in the washing-tubs,A rea, a ria, a roses,Put them in the washing-tubs,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.What am I to wash in,A rea, a ria, a roses,What am I to wash in,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Wash in the thimble,A rea, a ria, a roses,Wash in the thimble,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Thimble won't hold your father's shirt,A rea, a ria, a roses,Thimble won't hold your father's shirt,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine.Wash in the river,A rea, a ria, a roses,Wash in the river,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Suppose the clothes should blow away,A rea, a ria, a roses,Suppose the clothes should blow away,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Set a man to watch them,A rea, a ria, a roses,Set a man to watch them,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Suppose the man should go to sleep,A rea, a ria, a roses,Suppose the man should go to sleep,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Take a boat and go after them,A rea, a ria, a roses,Take a boat and go after them,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Suppose the boat should be upset,A rea, a ria, a roses,Suppose the boat should be upset,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Then that would be an end of you,A rea, a ria, a roses,Then that would be an end of you,Gentle sweet mother o' mine!

Mary's gone a-milking,A rea, a ria, a roses,Mary's gone a-milking,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Take your pails and go after her,A rea, a ria, a roses,Take your pails and go after her,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine.Buy me a pair of new milking pails,A rea, a ria, a roses,Buy me a pair of new milking pails,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Where's the money to come from,A rea, a ria, a roses,Where's the money to come from,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Sell my father's feather bed,A rea, a ria, a roses,Sell my father's feather bed,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.What's your father to sleep on,A rea, a ria, a roses,What's your father to sleep on,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Put him in the truckle bed,A rea, a ria, a roses,Put him in the truckle bed,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.What are the children to sleep on,A rea, a ria, a roses,What are the children to sleep on,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Put them in the pig-sty,A rea, a ria, a roses,Put them in the pig-sty,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.What are the pigs to lie in,A rea, a ria, a roses,What are the pigs to lie in,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Put them in the washing-tubs,A rea, a ria, a roses,Put them in the washing-tubs,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.What am I to wash in,A rea, a ria, a roses,What am I to wash in,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Wash in the thimble,A rea, a ria, a roses,Wash in the thimble,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Thimble won't hold your father's shirt,A rea, a ria, a roses,Thimble won't hold your father's shirt,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine.Wash in the river,A rea, a ria, a roses,Wash in the river,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Suppose the clothes should blow away,A rea, a ria, a roses,Suppose the clothes should blow away,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Set a man to watch them,A rea, a ria, a roses,Set a man to watch them,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Suppose the man should go to sleep,A rea, a ria, a roses,Suppose the man should go to sleep,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Take a boat and go after them,A rea, a ria, a roses,Take a boat and go after them,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.Suppose the boat should be upset,A rea, a ria, a roses,Suppose the boat should be upset,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?Then that would be an end of you,A rea, a ria, a roses,Then that would be an end of you,Gentle sweet mother o' mine!

Mary's gone a-milking,A rea, a ria, a roses,Mary's gone a-milking,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Mary's gone a-milking,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Mary's gone a-milking,

Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Take your pails and go after her,A rea, a ria, a roses,Take your pails and go after her,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine.

Take your pails and go after her,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Take your pails and go after her,

Gentle sweet daughter o' mine.

Buy me a pair of new milking pails,A rea, a ria, a roses,Buy me a pair of new milking pails,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Buy me a pair of new milking pails,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Buy me a pair of new milking pails,

Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Where's the money to come from,A rea, a ria, a roses,Where's the money to come from,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Where's the money to come from,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Where's the money to come from,

Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Sell my father's feather bed,A rea, a ria, a roses,Sell my father's feather bed,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Sell my father's feather bed,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Sell my father's feather bed,

Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

What's your father to sleep on,A rea, a ria, a roses,What's your father to sleep on,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

What's your father to sleep on,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

What's your father to sleep on,

Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Put him in the truckle bed,A rea, a ria, a roses,Put him in the truckle bed,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Put him in the truckle bed,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Put him in the truckle bed,

Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

What are the children to sleep on,A rea, a ria, a roses,What are the children to sleep on,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

What are the children to sleep on,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

What are the children to sleep on,

Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Put them in the pig-sty,A rea, a ria, a roses,Put them in the pig-sty,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Put them in the pig-sty,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Put them in the pig-sty,

Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

What are the pigs to lie in,A rea, a ria, a roses,What are the pigs to lie in,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

What are the pigs to lie in,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

What are the pigs to lie in,

Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Put them in the washing-tubs,A rea, a ria, a roses,Put them in the washing-tubs,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Put them in the washing-tubs,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Put them in the washing-tubs,

Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

What am I to wash in,A rea, a ria, a roses,What am I to wash in,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

What am I to wash in,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

What am I to wash in,

Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Wash in the thimble,A rea, a ria, a roses,Wash in the thimble,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Wash in the thimble,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Wash in the thimble,

Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Thimble won't hold your father's shirt,A rea, a ria, a roses,Thimble won't hold your father's shirt,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine.

Thimble won't hold your father's shirt,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Thimble won't hold your father's shirt,

Gentle sweet daughter o' mine.

Wash in the river,A rea, a ria, a roses,Wash in the river,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Wash in the river,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Wash in the river,

Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Suppose the clothes should blow away,A rea, a ria, a roses,Suppose the clothes should blow away,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Suppose the clothes should blow away,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Suppose the clothes should blow away,

Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Set a man to watch them,A rea, a ria, a roses,Set a man to watch them,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Set a man to watch them,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Set a man to watch them,

Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Suppose the man should go to sleep,A rea, a ria, a roses,Suppose the man should go to sleep,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Suppose the man should go to sleep,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Suppose the man should go to sleep,

Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Take a boat and go after them,A rea, a ria, a roses,Take a boat and go after them,Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Take a boat and go after them,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Take a boat and go after them,

Gentle sweet mother o' mine.

Suppose the boat should be upset,A rea, a ria, a roses,Suppose the boat should be upset,Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Suppose the boat should be upset,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Suppose the boat should be upset,

Gentle sweet daughter o' mine?

Then that would be an end of you,A rea, a ria, a roses,Then that would be an end of you,Gentle sweet mother o' mine!

Then that would be an end of you,

A rea, a ria, a roses,

Then that would be an end of you,

Gentle sweet mother o' mine!

THE PEDLAR'S SONGLawne as white as driven Snow,Cypresse blacke as ere was Crow,Cloves as sweete as Damaske Roses,Maskes for faces, and for noses,Bugle-bracelet, Necke-lace Amber,Perfume for a Ladies Chamber:Golden Quoifes, and StomachersFor my Lads, to give their deers:Pins, and peaking-stickes of steele:What Maids lacke from head to heele:Come buy of me, come: come buy, come buy,Buy Lads, or else your Lasses cry: Come buy.William Shakespeare

Lawne as white as driven Snow,Cypresse blacke as ere was Crow,Cloves as sweete as Damaske Roses,Maskes for faces, and for noses,Bugle-bracelet, Necke-lace Amber,Perfume for a Ladies Chamber:Golden Quoifes, and StomachersFor my Lads, to give their deers:Pins, and peaking-stickes of steele:What Maids lacke from head to heele:Come buy of me, come: come buy, come buy,Buy Lads, or else your Lasses cry: Come buy.William Shakespeare

Lawne as white as driven Snow,

Cypresse blacke as ere was Crow,

Cloves as sweete as Damaske Roses,

Maskes for faces, and for noses,

Bugle-bracelet, Necke-lace Amber,

Perfume for a Ladies Chamber:

Golden Quoifes, and Stomachers

For my Lads, to give their deers:

Pins, and peaking-stickes of steele:

What Maids lacke from head to heele:

Come buy of me, come: come buy, come buy,

Buy Lads, or else your Lasses cry: Come buy.

William Shakespeare

FINE KNACKS FOR LADIESFine knacks for ladies! cheap, choice, brave, and new,Good pennyworths—but money cannot move:I keep a fair but for the Fair to view—A beggar may be liberal of love.Though all my wares be trash, the heart is true,The heart is true.Great gifts are guiles and look for gifts again;My trifles come as treasures from my mind:It is a priceless jewel to be plain;Sometimes in shell the orient'st pearls we find:—Of others take a sheaf, of me a grain!Of me a grain!...

Fine knacks for ladies! cheap, choice, brave, and new,Good pennyworths—but money cannot move:I keep a fair but for the Fair to view—A beggar may be liberal of love.Though all my wares be trash, the heart is true,The heart is true.Great gifts are guiles and look for gifts again;My trifles come as treasures from my mind:It is a priceless jewel to be plain;Sometimes in shell the orient'st pearls we find:—Of others take a sheaf, of me a grain!Of me a grain!...

Fine knacks for ladies! cheap, choice, brave, and new,

Good pennyworths—but money cannot move:

I keep a fair but for the Fair to view—

A beggar may be liberal of love.

Though all my wares be trash, the heart is true,

The heart is true.

Great gifts are guiles and look for gifts again;My trifles come as treasures from my mind:It is a priceless jewel to be plain;Sometimes in shell the orient'st pearls we find:—Of others take a sheaf, of me a grain!Of me a grain!...

Great gifts are guiles and look for gifts again;

My trifles come as treasures from my mind:

It is a priceless jewel to be plain;

Sometimes in shell the orient'st pearls we find:—

Of others take a sheaf, of me a grain!

Of me a grain!...

OH! DEAR!Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Dear! dear! what can the matter be?Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.He promised he'd buy me a fairing should please me,And then for a kiss, oh! he vowed he would tease me,He promised he'd bring me a bunch of blue ribbonsTo tie up my bonny brown hair.And it's oh! dear! what can the matter be?Dear! dear! what can the matter be?Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.He promised he'd bring me a basket of posies,A garland of lilies, a garland of roses,A little straw hat, to set off the blue ribbonsThat tie up my bonny brown hair.And it's oh! dear! what can the matter be?Dear! dear! what can the matter be?Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.

Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Dear! dear! what can the matter be?Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.He promised he'd buy me a fairing should please me,And then for a kiss, oh! he vowed he would tease me,He promised he'd bring me a bunch of blue ribbonsTo tie up my bonny brown hair.And it's oh! dear! what can the matter be?Dear! dear! what can the matter be?Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.He promised he'd bring me a basket of posies,A garland of lilies, a garland of roses,A little straw hat, to set off the blue ribbonsThat tie up my bonny brown hair.And it's oh! dear! what can the matter be?Dear! dear! what can the matter be?Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.

Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Dear! dear! what can the matter be?Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.

Oh! dear! what can the matter be?

Dear! dear! what can the matter be?

Oh! dear! what can the matter be?

Johnny's so long at the fair.

He promised he'd buy me a fairing should please me,And then for a kiss, oh! he vowed he would tease me,He promised he'd bring me a bunch of blue ribbonsTo tie up my bonny brown hair.

He promised he'd buy me a fairing should please me,

And then for a kiss, oh! he vowed he would tease me,

He promised he'd bring me a bunch of blue ribbons

To tie up my bonny brown hair.

And it's oh! dear! what can the matter be?Dear! dear! what can the matter be?Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.

And it's oh! dear! what can the matter be?

Dear! dear! what can the matter be?

Oh! dear! what can the matter be?

Johnny's so long at the fair.

He promised he'd bring me a basket of posies,A garland of lilies, a garland of roses,A little straw hat, to set off the blue ribbonsThat tie up my bonny brown hair.

He promised he'd bring me a basket of posies,

A garland of lilies, a garland of roses,

A little straw hat, to set off the blue ribbons

That tie up my bonny brown hair.

And it's oh! dear! what can the matter be?Dear! dear! what can the matter be?Oh! dear! what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.

And it's oh! dear! what can the matter be?

Dear! dear! what can the matter be?

Oh! dear! what can the matter be?

Johnny's so long at the fair.

SLEDBURN FAIRI'd oft heard tell of this Sledburn fair,And fain I would gan thither,'Twere in the prime of summer-time,In fine and pleasant weather;My Dad and Mam they did agreeThat Nell and I should gaeSee for to view this Sledburn fair,And ride on Dobbin, oh....So Nell gat on and I gat on,And we both rode off together,And of everybody we did meetEnquired how far 'twas thither?Until we came to t'other field end,'Twas about steeple high,"See yonder, Nell, see yonder, Nell,There's Sledburn town," cried I.And when we reached this famous townWe enquirèd for an alehouse,We lookèd up and saw a signAs high as any gallows;We called for Harry, the ostler,To give our horse some hay,For we had come to Sledburn FairAnd meant to stop all day.The landlord then himself came outAnd led us up an entry;He took us in the finest roomAs if we'd been quite gentry.And puddings and sauce they did so smell,Pies and roast beef so rare,"Oh, Zooks!" says Nell, "we've acted wellIn coming to Sledburn Fair."

I'd oft heard tell of this Sledburn fair,And fain I would gan thither,'Twere in the prime of summer-time,In fine and pleasant weather;My Dad and Mam they did agreeThat Nell and I should gaeSee for to view this Sledburn fair,And ride on Dobbin, oh....So Nell gat on and I gat on,And we both rode off together,And of everybody we did meetEnquired how far 'twas thither?Until we came to t'other field end,'Twas about steeple high,"See yonder, Nell, see yonder, Nell,There's Sledburn town," cried I.And when we reached this famous townWe enquirèd for an alehouse,We lookèd up and saw a signAs high as any gallows;We called for Harry, the ostler,To give our horse some hay,For we had come to Sledburn FairAnd meant to stop all day.The landlord then himself came outAnd led us up an entry;He took us in the finest roomAs if we'd been quite gentry.And puddings and sauce they did so smell,Pies and roast beef so rare,"Oh, Zooks!" says Nell, "we've acted wellIn coming to Sledburn Fair."

I'd oft heard tell of this Sledburn fair,

And fain I would gan thither,

'Twere in the prime of summer-time,

In fine and pleasant weather;

My Dad and Mam they did agree

That Nell and I should gae

See for to view this Sledburn fair,

And ride on Dobbin, oh....

So Nell gat on and I gat on,And we both rode off together,And of everybody we did meetEnquired how far 'twas thither?Until we came to t'other field end,'Twas about steeple high,"See yonder, Nell, see yonder, Nell,There's Sledburn town," cried I.

So Nell gat on and I gat on,

And we both rode off together,

And of everybody we did meet

Enquired how far 'twas thither?

Until we came to t'other field end,

'Twas about steeple high,

"See yonder, Nell, see yonder, Nell,

There's Sledburn town," cried I.

And when we reached this famous townWe enquirèd for an alehouse,We lookèd up and saw a signAs high as any gallows;We called for Harry, the ostler,To give our horse some hay,For we had come to Sledburn FairAnd meant to stop all day.

And when we reached this famous town

We enquirèd for an alehouse,

We lookèd up and saw a sign

As high as any gallows;

We called for Harry, the ostler,

To give our horse some hay,

For we had come to Sledburn Fair

And meant to stop all day.

The landlord then himself came outAnd led us up an entry;He took us in the finest roomAs if we'd been quite gentry.And puddings and sauce they did so smell,Pies and roast beef so rare,"Oh, Zooks!" says Nell, "we've acted wellIn coming to Sledburn Fair."

The landlord then himself came out

And led us up an entry;

He took us in the finest room

As if we'd been quite gentry.

And puddings and sauce they did so smell,

Pies and roast beef so rare,

"Oh, Zooks!" says Nell, "we've acted well

In coming to Sledburn Fair."

WIDDECOMBE FAIR"Tom Pearse, Tom Pearse, lend me your gray mare,"All along, down along, out along, lee."For I want for to go to Widdecombe Fair,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."And when shall I see again my gray mare?"All along, down along, out along, lee."By Friday soon, or Saturday noon,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Then Friday came and Saturday noon,All along, down along, out along, lee.But Tom Pearse's old mare hath not trotted home,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.So Tom Pearse he got up to the top o' the hill,All along, down along, out along, lee.And he seed his old mare down a-making her will,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.So Tom Pearse's old mare her took sick and her died,All along, down along, out along, lee.And Tom he sat down on a stone, and he criedWi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.But this isn't the end o' this shocking affair,All along, down along, out along, lee.Nor, though they be dead, of the horrid careerOf Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.When the wind whistles cold on the moor of a night,All along, down along, out along, lee.Tom Pearse's old mare doth appear, gashly white,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.And all the long night be heard skirling and groans,All along, down along, out along, lee.From Tom Pearse's old mare in her rattling bones,And from Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

"Tom Pearse, Tom Pearse, lend me your gray mare,"All along, down along, out along, lee."For I want for to go to Widdecombe Fair,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."And when shall I see again my gray mare?"All along, down along, out along, lee."By Friday soon, or Saturday noon,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Then Friday came and Saturday noon,All along, down along, out along, lee.But Tom Pearse's old mare hath not trotted home,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.So Tom Pearse he got up to the top o' the hill,All along, down along, out along, lee.And he seed his old mare down a-making her will,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.So Tom Pearse's old mare her took sick and her died,All along, down along, out along, lee.And Tom he sat down on a stone, and he criedWi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.But this isn't the end o' this shocking affair,All along, down along, out along, lee.Nor, though they be dead, of the horrid careerOf Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.When the wind whistles cold on the moor of a night,All along, down along, out along, lee.Tom Pearse's old mare doth appear, gashly white,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.And all the long night be heard skirling and groans,All along, down along, out along, lee.From Tom Pearse's old mare in her rattling bones,And from Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

"Tom Pearse, Tom Pearse, lend me your gray mare,"

All along, down along, out along, lee.

"For I want for to go to Widdecombe Fair,

Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,

Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

"And when shall I see again my gray mare?"All along, down along, out along, lee."By Friday soon, or Saturday noon,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

"And when shall I see again my gray mare?"

All along, down along, out along, lee.

"By Friday soon, or Saturday noon,

Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,

Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

Then Friday came and Saturday noon,All along, down along, out along, lee.But Tom Pearse's old mare hath not trotted home,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

Then Friday came and Saturday noon,

All along, down along, out along, lee.

But Tom Pearse's old mare hath not trotted home,

Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,

Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

So Tom Pearse he got up to the top o' the hill,All along, down along, out along, lee.And he seed his old mare down a-making her will,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

So Tom Pearse he got up to the top o' the hill,

All along, down along, out along, lee.

And he seed his old mare down a-making her will,

Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,

Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

So Tom Pearse's old mare her took sick and her died,All along, down along, out along, lee.And Tom he sat down on a stone, and he criedWi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

So Tom Pearse's old mare her took sick and her died,

All along, down along, out along, lee.

And Tom he sat down on a stone, and he cried

Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,

Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

But this isn't the end o' this shocking affair,All along, down along, out along, lee.Nor, though they be dead, of the horrid careerOf Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

But this isn't the end o' this shocking affair,

All along, down along, out along, lee.

Nor, though they be dead, of the horrid career

Of Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,

Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

When the wind whistles cold on the moor of a night,All along, down along, out along, lee.Tom Pearse's old mare doth appear, gashly white,Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

When the wind whistles cold on the moor of a night,

All along, down along, out along, lee.

Tom Pearse's old mare doth appear, gashly white,

Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,

Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

And all the long night be heard skirling and groans,All along, down along, out along, lee.From Tom Pearse's old mare in her rattling bones,And from Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

And all the long night be heard skirling and groans,

All along, down along, out along, lee.

From Tom Pearse's old mare in her rattling bones,

And from Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,

Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

GIPSIESThe snow falls deep; the forest lies alone;The boy goes hasty for his load of brakes,[61]Then thinks upon the fire and hurries back;The gipsy knocks his hands and tucks them up,And seeks his squalid camp, half hid in snow,Beneath the oak which breaks away the wind,And bushes close in snow-like hovel warm;There tainted mutton wastes upon the coals,And the half-wasted dog squats close and rubs,Then feels the heat too strong, and goes aloof;He watches well, but none a bit can spare,And vainly waits the morsel thrown away.Tis thus they live—a picture to the place,A quiet, pilfering, unprotected race.John Clare

The snow falls deep; the forest lies alone;The boy goes hasty for his load of brakes,[61]Then thinks upon the fire and hurries back;The gipsy knocks his hands and tucks them up,And seeks his squalid camp, half hid in snow,Beneath the oak which breaks away the wind,And bushes close in snow-like hovel warm;There tainted mutton wastes upon the coals,And the half-wasted dog squats close and rubs,Then feels the heat too strong, and goes aloof;He watches well, but none a bit can spare,And vainly waits the morsel thrown away.Tis thus they live—a picture to the place,A quiet, pilfering, unprotected race.John Clare

The snow falls deep; the forest lies alone;

The boy goes hasty for his load of brakes,[61]

Then thinks upon the fire and hurries back;

The gipsy knocks his hands and tucks them up,

And seeks his squalid camp, half hid in snow,

Beneath the oak which breaks away the wind,

And bushes close in snow-like hovel warm;

There tainted mutton wastes upon the coals,

And the half-wasted dog squats close and rubs,

Then feels the heat too strong, and goes aloof;

He watches well, but none a bit can spare,

And vainly waits the morsel thrown away.

Tis thus they live—a picture to the place,

A quiet, pilfering, unprotected race.

John Clare

THE IDLERSThe gipsies lit their fires by the chalk-pit gate anew,And the hoppled horses supped in the further dusk and dew;The gnats flocked round the smoke like idlers as they wereAnd through the goss and bushes the owls began to churr.An ell above the woods the last of sunset glowedWith a dusky gold that filled the pond beside the road;The cricketers had done, the leas all silent lay,And the carrier's clattering wheels went past and died away.The gipsies lolled and gossiped, and ate their stolen swedes,Made merry with mouth-organs, worked toys with piths of reeds:The old wives puffed their pipes, nigh as black as their hair,And not one of them all seemed to know the name of care.Edmund Blunden

The gipsies lit their fires by the chalk-pit gate anew,And the hoppled horses supped in the further dusk and dew;The gnats flocked round the smoke like idlers as they wereAnd through the goss and bushes the owls began to churr.An ell above the woods the last of sunset glowedWith a dusky gold that filled the pond beside the road;The cricketers had done, the leas all silent lay,And the carrier's clattering wheels went past and died away.The gipsies lolled and gossiped, and ate their stolen swedes,Made merry with mouth-organs, worked toys with piths of reeds:The old wives puffed their pipes, nigh as black as their hair,And not one of them all seemed to know the name of care.Edmund Blunden

The gipsies lit their fires by the chalk-pit gate anew,

And the hoppled horses supped in the further dusk and dew;

The gnats flocked round the smoke like idlers as they were

And through the goss and bushes the owls began to churr.

An ell above the woods the last of sunset glowedWith a dusky gold that filled the pond beside the road;The cricketers had done, the leas all silent lay,And the carrier's clattering wheels went past and died away.

An ell above the woods the last of sunset glowed

With a dusky gold that filled the pond beside the road;

The cricketers had done, the leas all silent lay,

And the carrier's clattering wheels went past and died away.

The gipsies lolled and gossiped, and ate their stolen swedes,Made merry with mouth-organs, worked toys with piths of reeds:The old wives puffed their pipes, nigh as black as their hair,And not one of them all seemed to know the name of care.Edmund Blunden

The gipsies lolled and gossiped, and ate their stolen swedes,

Made merry with mouth-organs, worked toys with piths of reeds:

The old wives puffed their pipes, nigh as black as their hair,

And not one of them all seemed to know the name of care.

Edmund Blunden

THE WRAGGLE TAGGLE GIPSIESThere were three gipsies a-come to my door,And down-stairs ran this a-lady, O!One sang high, and another sang low,And the other sang, Bonny, bonny Biscay, O!Then she pulled off her silk-finished gownAnd put on hose of leather, O!The ragged, ragged rags about our door—She's gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!It was late last night, when my lord came home,Enquiring for his a-lady, O!The servants said, on every hand:"She's gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!""O saddle to me my milk-white steed.Go and fetch me my pony, O!That I may ride and seek my bride,Who is gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"O he rode high and he rode low,He rode through woods and copses too,Until he came to an open field,And there he espied his a-lady, O!"What makes you leave your house and land?What makes you leave your money, O?What makes you leave your new-wedded lord;To go with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O?""What care I for my house and my land?What care I for my money, O?What care I for my new-wedded lord?I'm off with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!""Last night you slept on a goose-feather bed,With the sheet turned down so bravely, O!And to-night you'll sleep in a cold open field,Along with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!""What care I for a goose-feather bed,With the sheet turned down so bravely, O?For to-night I shall sleep in a cold open field,Along with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

There were three gipsies a-come to my door,And down-stairs ran this a-lady, O!One sang high, and another sang low,And the other sang, Bonny, bonny Biscay, O!Then she pulled off her silk-finished gownAnd put on hose of leather, O!The ragged, ragged rags about our door—She's gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!It was late last night, when my lord came home,Enquiring for his a-lady, O!The servants said, on every hand:"She's gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!""O saddle to me my milk-white steed.Go and fetch me my pony, O!That I may ride and seek my bride,Who is gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"O he rode high and he rode low,He rode through woods and copses too,Until he came to an open field,And there he espied his a-lady, O!"What makes you leave your house and land?What makes you leave your money, O?What makes you leave your new-wedded lord;To go with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O?""What care I for my house and my land?What care I for my money, O?What care I for my new-wedded lord?I'm off with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!""Last night you slept on a goose-feather bed,With the sheet turned down so bravely, O!And to-night you'll sleep in a cold open field,Along with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!""What care I for a goose-feather bed,With the sheet turned down so bravely, O?For to-night I shall sleep in a cold open field,Along with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

There were three gipsies a-come to my door,And down-stairs ran this a-lady, O!One sang high, and another sang low,And the other sang, Bonny, bonny Biscay, O!

There were three gipsies a-come to my door,

And down-stairs ran this a-lady, O!

One sang high, and another sang low,

And the other sang, Bonny, bonny Biscay, O!

Then she pulled off her silk-finished gownAnd put on hose of leather, O!The ragged, ragged rags about our door—She's gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!

Then she pulled off her silk-finished gown

And put on hose of leather, O!

The ragged, ragged rags about our door—

She's gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!

It was late last night, when my lord came home,Enquiring for his a-lady, O!The servants said, on every hand:"She's gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

It was late last night, when my lord came home,

Enquiring for his a-lady, O!

The servants said, on every hand:

"She's gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

"O saddle to me my milk-white steed.Go and fetch me my pony, O!That I may ride and seek my bride,Who is gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

"O saddle to me my milk-white steed.

Go and fetch me my pony, O!

That I may ride and seek my bride,

Who is gone with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

O he rode high and he rode low,He rode through woods and copses too,Until he came to an open field,And there he espied his a-lady, O!

O he rode high and he rode low,

He rode through woods and copses too,

Until he came to an open field,

And there he espied his a-lady, O!

"What makes you leave your house and land?What makes you leave your money, O?What makes you leave your new-wedded lord;To go with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O?"

"What makes you leave your house and land?

What makes you leave your money, O?

What makes you leave your new-wedded lord;

To go with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O?"

"What care I for my house and my land?What care I for my money, O?What care I for my new-wedded lord?I'm off with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

"What care I for my house and my land?

What care I for my money, O?

What care I for my new-wedded lord?

I'm off with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

"Last night you slept on a goose-feather bed,With the sheet turned down so bravely, O!And to-night you'll sleep in a cold open field,Along with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

"Last night you slept on a goose-feather bed,

With the sheet turned down so bravely, O!

And to-night you'll sleep in a cold open field,

Along with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

"What care I for a goose-feather bed,With the sheet turned down so bravely, O?For to-night I shall sleep in a cold open field,Along with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

"What care I for a goose-feather bed,

With the sheet turned down so bravely, O?

For to-night I shall sleep in a cold open field,

Along with the wraggle taggle gipsies, O!"

WHERE DO THE GIPSIES COME FROM?Where do the gipsies come from?The gipsies come from Egypt.The fiery sun begot them,Their dam was the desert dry.She lay there stripped and basking,And gave them suck for the asking,And an Emperor's bone to play with,Whenever she heard them cry.What did the gipsies do there?They built a tomb for Pharaoh,They built a tomb for Pharaoh,So tall it touched the sky.They buried him deep inside it,Then let what would betide it,They saddled their lean-ribbed poniesAnd left him there to die.What do the gipsies do now?They follow the Sun, their father,They follow the Sun, their father,They know not whither nor why.Whatever they find they take it,And if it's a law they break it.So never you talk to a gipsy,Or look in a gipsy's eye.H. H. Bashford

Where do the gipsies come from?The gipsies come from Egypt.The fiery sun begot them,Their dam was the desert dry.She lay there stripped and basking,And gave them suck for the asking,And an Emperor's bone to play with,Whenever she heard them cry.What did the gipsies do there?They built a tomb for Pharaoh,They built a tomb for Pharaoh,So tall it touched the sky.They buried him deep inside it,Then let what would betide it,They saddled their lean-ribbed poniesAnd left him there to die.What do the gipsies do now?They follow the Sun, their father,They follow the Sun, their father,They know not whither nor why.Whatever they find they take it,And if it's a law they break it.So never you talk to a gipsy,Or look in a gipsy's eye.H. H. Bashford

Where do the gipsies come from?

The gipsies come from Egypt.

The fiery sun begot them,

Their dam was the desert dry.

She lay there stripped and basking,

And gave them suck for the asking,

And an Emperor's bone to play with,

Whenever she heard them cry.

What did the gipsies do there?They built a tomb for Pharaoh,They built a tomb for Pharaoh,So tall it touched the sky.They buried him deep inside it,Then let what would betide it,They saddled their lean-ribbed poniesAnd left him there to die.

What did the gipsies do there?

They built a tomb for Pharaoh,

So tall it touched the sky.

They buried him deep inside it,

Then let what would betide it,

They saddled their lean-ribbed ponies

And left him there to die.

What do the gipsies do now?They follow the Sun, their father,They follow the Sun, their father,They know not whither nor why.Whatever they find they take it,And if it's a law they break it.So never you talk to a gipsy,Or look in a gipsy's eye.H. H. Bashford

What do the gipsies do now?

They follow the Sun, their father,

They know not whither nor why.

Whatever they find they take it,

And if it's a law they break it.

So never you talk to a gipsy,

Or look in a gipsy's eye.

H. H. Bashford

BEGGARSWhat noise of viols is so sweetAs when our merry clappers ring?What mirth doth want when beggars meet?A beggar's life is for a king.Eat, drink, and play, sleep when we list,Go where we will—so stocks be missed.Bright shines the sun; play, beggars, play!Here's scraps enough to serve to-day.The world is ours, and ours alone;For we alone have world at will.We purchase not—all is our own;Both fields and street we beggars fill.Bright shines the sun; play, beggars, play!Here's scraps enough to serve to-day.Frank Davidson

What noise of viols is so sweetAs when our merry clappers ring?What mirth doth want when beggars meet?A beggar's life is for a king.Eat, drink, and play, sleep when we list,Go where we will—so stocks be missed.Bright shines the sun; play, beggars, play!Here's scraps enough to serve to-day.The world is ours, and ours alone;For we alone have world at will.We purchase not—all is our own;Both fields and street we beggars fill.Bright shines the sun; play, beggars, play!Here's scraps enough to serve to-day.Frank Davidson

What noise of viols is so sweet

As when our merry clappers ring?

What mirth doth want when beggars meet?

A beggar's life is for a king.

Eat, drink, and play, sleep when we list,

Go where we will—so stocks be missed.

Bright shines the sun; play, beggars, play!

Here's scraps enough to serve to-day.

The world is ours, and ours alone;For we alone have world at will.We purchase not—all is our own;Both fields and street we beggars fill.Bright shines the sun; play, beggars, play!Here's scraps enough to serve to-day.Frank Davidson

The world is ours, and ours alone;

For we alone have world at will.

We purchase not—all is our own;

Both fields and street we beggars fill.

Bright shines the sun; play, beggars, play!

Here's scraps enough to serve to-day.

Frank Davidson

"WEEP, WEEP, YE WOODMEN!"Weep, weep, ye woodmen! wail;Your hands with sorrow wring!Your master Robin Hood lies dead,Therefore sigh as you sing.Here lie his primer and his beads,His bent bow and his arrows keen,His good sword and his holy cross:Now cast on flowers fresh and green.And, as they fall, shed tears and sayWell, well-a-day! well, well-a-day!Thus cast ye flowers fresh, and sing,And on to Wakefield take your way.Anthony Munday

Weep, weep, ye woodmen! wail;Your hands with sorrow wring!Your master Robin Hood lies dead,Therefore sigh as you sing.Here lie his primer and his beads,His bent bow and his arrows keen,His good sword and his holy cross:Now cast on flowers fresh and green.And, as they fall, shed tears and sayWell, well-a-day! well, well-a-day!Thus cast ye flowers fresh, and sing,And on to Wakefield take your way.Anthony Munday

Weep, weep, ye woodmen! wail;Your hands with sorrow wring!Your master Robin Hood lies dead,Therefore sigh as you sing.

Weep, weep, ye woodmen! wail;

Your hands with sorrow wring!

Your master Robin Hood lies dead,

Therefore sigh as you sing.

Here lie his primer and his beads,His bent bow and his arrows keen,His good sword and his holy cross:Now cast on flowers fresh and green.

Here lie his primer and his beads,

His bent bow and his arrows keen,

His good sword and his holy cross:

Now cast on flowers fresh and green.

And, as they fall, shed tears and sayWell, well-a-day! well, well-a-day!Thus cast ye flowers fresh, and sing,And on to Wakefield take your way.Anthony Munday

And, as they fall, shed tears and say

Well, well-a-day! well, well-a-day!

Thus cast ye flowers fresh, and sing,

And on to Wakefield take your way.

Anthony Munday

MY HANDSOME GILDEROYGilderoy was a bonnie boy,Had roses tull[62]his shoone,His stockings were of silken soy,Wi' garters hanging doune:It was, I weene, a comelie sight,To see sae trim a boy;He was my joy and heart's delight,My handsome Gilderoy.Oh! sike twe[63]charming een he had,A breath as sweet as rose;He never ware a Highland plaid,But costly silken clothes.He gained the luve of ladies gay,Nane eir tull him was coy,Ah! wae is mee! I mourn the day,For my dear Gilderoy.My Gilderoy and I were bornBaith in one toun together;We scant[64]were seven years befornWe gan to luve each other;Our daddies and our mammies thayWere fill'd wi' mickle joy,To think upon the bridal day'Twixt me and Gilderoy.For Gilderoy, that luve of mine,Gude faith! I freely boughtA wedding sark of Holland fineWi' silken flowers wrought:And he gied me a wedding ring,Which I received with joy,Nae lad nor lassie eir could singLike me and Gilderoy.Wi' mickle joy we spent our prime,Till we were baith sixteen,And aft we past the langsome timeAmong the leaves sae green:Aft on the banks we'd sit us thair,And sweetly kiss and toy;Wi' garlands gay wad deck my hairMy handsome Gilderoy.Oh! that he still had been contentWi' me to lead his life;But, ah! his manfu' heart was bentTo stir in feats of strife.And he in many a venturous deedHis courage bauld wad try;And now this gars[65]mine heart to bleedFor my dear Gilderoy.And when of me his leave he tuik,The tears they wet mine ee;I gave tull him a parting luik,"My benison gang wi' thee!God speed thee weil, mine ain dear heart,For gane is all my joy;My heart is rent, sith we maun part,My handsome Gilderoy!"My Gilderoy, baith far and near,Was feared in ev'ry toun,And bauldly bare away the gearOf many a lawland loun:Nane eir durst meet him man to man,He was sae brave a boy;At length wi' numbers he was tane,My winsome Gilderoy.Wae worth the loun that made the laws,To hang a man for gear,To 'reave of life for ox or ass,For sheep, or horse, or mare:Had not their laws been made sae strick,I neir had lost my joy;Wi' sorrow neir had wat my cheekFor my dear Gilderoy.Giff[66]Gilderoy had done amisse,He mought hae banisht been,Ah, what fair cruelty is this,To hang sike handsome men!To hang the flower o' Scottish land,Sae sweet and fair a boy;Nae lady had so white a handAs thee, my Gilderoy.Of Gilderoy sae fraid they were,They bound him mickle strong,Tull Edenburrow they led him thair,And on a gallows hung:They hung him high aboon the rest,He was so trim a boy:Thair dyed the youth whom I lued best,My handsome Gilderoy.Thus having yielded up his breath,I bare his corpse away;Wi' tears, that trickled for his death,I washt his comely clay;And siker[67]in a grave sae deepI laid the dear-lued boy,And now for evir maun I weepMy winsome Gilderoy.

Gilderoy was a bonnie boy,Had roses tull[62]his shoone,His stockings were of silken soy,Wi' garters hanging doune:It was, I weene, a comelie sight,To see sae trim a boy;He was my joy and heart's delight,My handsome Gilderoy.Oh! sike twe[63]charming een he had,A breath as sweet as rose;He never ware a Highland plaid,But costly silken clothes.He gained the luve of ladies gay,Nane eir tull him was coy,Ah! wae is mee! I mourn the day,For my dear Gilderoy.My Gilderoy and I were bornBaith in one toun together;We scant[64]were seven years befornWe gan to luve each other;Our daddies and our mammies thayWere fill'd wi' mickle joy,To think upon the bridal day'Twixt me and Gilderoy.For Gilderoy, that luve of mine,Gude faith! I freely boughtA wedding sark of Holland fineWi' silken flowers wrought:And he gied me a wedding ring,Which I received with joy,Nae lad nor lassie eir could singLike me and Gilderoy.Wi' mickle joy we spent our prime,Till we were baith sixteen,And aft we past the langsome timeAmong the leaves sae green:Aft on the banks we'd sit us thair,And sweetly kiss and toy;Wi' garlands gay wad deck my hairMy handsome Gilderoy.Oh! that he still had been contentWi' me to lead his life;But, ah! his manfu' heart was bentTo stir in feats of strife.And he in many a venturous deedHis courage bauld wad try;And now this gars[65]mine heart to bleedFor my dear Gilderoy.And when of me his leave he tuik,The tears they wet mine ee;I gave tull him a parting luik,"My benison gang wi' thee!God speed thee weil, mine ain dear heart,For gane is all my joy;My heart is rent, sith we maun part,My handsome Gilderoy!"My Gilderoy, baith far and near,Was feared in ev'ry toun,And bauldly bare away the gearOf many a lawland loun:Nane eir durst meet him man to man,He was sae brave a boy;At length wi' numbers he was tane,My winsome Gilderoy.Wae worth the loun that made the laws,To hang a man for gear,To 'reave of life for ox or ass,For sheep, or horse, or mare:Had not their laws been made sae strick,I neir had lost my joy;Wi' sorrow neir had wat my cheekFor my dear Gilderoy.Giff[66]Gilderoy had done amisse,He mought hae banisht been,Ah, what fair cruelty is this,To hang sike handsome men!To hang the flower o' Scottish land,Sae sweet and fair a boy;Nae lady had so white a handAs thee, my Gilderoy.Of Gilderoy sae fraid they were,They bound him mickle strong,Tull Edenburrow they led him thair,And on a gallows hung:They hung him high aboon the rest,He was so trim a boy:Thair dyed the youth whom I lued best,My handsome Gilderoy.Thus having yielded up his breath,I bare his corpse away;Wi' tears, that trickled for his death,I washt his comely clay;And siker[67]in a grave sae deepI laid the dear-lued boy,And now for evir maun I weepMy winsome Gilderoy.

Gilderoy was a bonnie boy,

Had roses tull[62]his shoone,

His stockings were of silken soy,

Wi' garters hanging doune:

It was, I weene, a comelie sight,

To see sae trim a boy;

He was my joy and heart's delight,

My handsome Gilderoy.

Oh! sike twe[63]charming een he had,A breath as sweet as rose;He never ware a Highland plaid,But costly silken clothes.He gained the luve of ladies gay,Nane eir tull him was coy,Ah! wae is mee! I mourn the day,For my dear Gilderoy.

Oh! sike twe[63]charming een he had,

A breath as sweet as rose;

He never ware a Highland plaid,

But costly silken clothes.

He gained the luve of ladies gay,

Nane eir tull him was coy,

Ah! wae is mee! I mourn the day,

For my dear Gilderoy.

My Gilderoy and I were bornBaith in one toun together;We scant[64]were seven years befornWe gan to luve each other;Our daddies and our mammies thayWere fill'd wi' mickle joy,To think upon the bridal day'Twixt me and Gilderoy.

My Gilderoy and I were born

Baith in one toun together;

We scant[64]were seven years beforn

We gan to luve each other;

Our daddies and our mammies thay

Were fill'd wi' mickle joy,

To think upon the bridal day

'Twixt me and Gilderoy.

For Gilderoy, that luve of mine,Gude faith! I freely boughtA wedding sark of Holland fineWi' silken flowers wrought:And he gied me a wedding ring,Which I received with joy,Nae lad nor lassie eir could singLike me and Gilderoy.

For Gilderoy, that luve of mine,

Gude faith! I freely bought

A wedding sark of Holland fine

Wi' silken flowers wrought:

And he gied me a wedding ring,

Which I received with joy,

Nae lad nor lassie eir could sing

Like me and Gilderoy.

Wi' mickle joy we spent our prime,Till we were baith sixteen,And aft we past the langsome timeAmong the leaves sae green:Aft on the banks we'd sit us thair,And sweetly kiss and toy;Wi' garlands gay wad deck my hairMy handsome Gilderoy.

Wi' mickle joy we spent our prime,

Till we were baith sixteen,

And aft we past the langsome time

Among the leaves sae green:

Aft on the banks we'd sit us thair,

And sweetly kiss and toy;

Wi' garlands gay wad deck my hair

My handsome Gilderoy.

Oh! that he still had been contentWi' me to lead his life;But, ah! his manfu' heart was bentTo stir in feats of strife.And he in many a venturous deedHis courage bauld wad try;And now this gars[65]mine heart to bleedFor my dear Gilderoy.

Oh! that he still had been content

Wi' me to lead his life;

But, ah! his manfu' heart was bent

To stir in feats of strife.

And he in many a venturous deed

His courage bauld wad try;

And now this gars[65]mine heart to bleed

For my dear Gilderoy.

And when of me his leave he tuik,The tears they wet mine ee;I gave tull him a parting luik,"My benison gang wi' thee!God speed thee weil, mine ain dear heart,For gane is all my joy;My heart is rent, sith we maun part,My handsome Gilderoy!"

And when of me his leave he tuik,

The tears they wet mine ee;

I gave tull him a parting luik,

"My benison gang wi' thee!

God speed thee weil, mine ain dear heart,

For gane is all my joy;

My heart is rent, sith we maun part,

My handsome Gilderoy!"

My Gilderoy, baith far and near,Was feared in ev'ry toun,And bauldly bare away the gearOf many a lawland loun:Nane eir durst meet him man to man,He was sae brave a boy;At length wi' numbers he was tane,My winsome Gilderoy.

My Gilderoy, baith far and near,

Was feared in ev'ry toun,

And bauldly bare away the gear

Of many a lawland loun:

Nane eir durst meet him man to man,

He was sae brave a boy;

At length wi' numbers he was tane,

My winsome Gilderoy.

Wae worth the loun that made the laws,To hang a man for gear,To 'reave of life for ox or ass,For sheep, or horse, or mare:Had not their laws been made sae strick,I neir had lost my joy;Wi' sorrow neir had wat my cheekFor my dear Gilderoy.

Wae worth the loun that made the laws,

To hang a man for gear,

To 'reave of life for ox or ass,

For sheep, or horse, or mare:

Had not their laws been made sae strick,

I neir had lost my joy;

Wi' sorrow neir had wat my cheek

For my dear Gilderoy.

Giff[66]Gilderoy had done amisse,He mought hae banisht been,Ah, what fair cruelty is this,To hang sike handsome men!To hang the flower o' Scottish land,Sae sweet and fair a boy;Nae lady had so white a handAs thee, my Gilderoy.

Giff[66]Gilderoy had done amisse,

He mought hae banisht been,

Ah, what fair cruelty is this,

To hang sike handsome men!

To hang the flower o' Scottish land,

Sae sweet and fair a boy;

Nae lady had so white a hand

As thee, my Gilderoy.

Of Gilderoy sae fraid they were,They bound him mickle strong,Tull Edenburrow they led him thair,And on a gallows hung:They hung him high aboon the rest,He was so trim a boy:Thair dyed the youth whom I lued best,My handsome Gilderoy.

Of Gilderoy sae fraid they were,

They bound him mickle strong,

Tull Edenburrow they led him thair,

And on a gallows hung:

They hung him high aboon the rest,

He was so trim a boy:

Thair dyed the youth whom I lued best,

My handsome Gilderoy.

Thus having yielded up his breath,I bare his corpse away;Wi' tears, that trickled for his death,I washt his comely clay;And siker[67]in a grave sae deepI laid the dear-lued boy,And now for evir maun I weepMy winsome Gilderoy.

Thus having yielded up his breath,

I bare his corpse away;

Wi' tears, that trickled for his death,

I washt his comely clay;

And siker[67]in a grave sae deep

I laid the dear-lued boy,

And now for evir maun I weep

My winsome Gilderoy.

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