The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs

IV

Since Love Can Enter an Iron Door …
Lovers’ Tricks, Disguises and Obstacles Overcome

Since Love Can Enter an Iron Door …
Lovers’ Tricks, Disguises and Obstacles

When true love does not run smooth in folk song it is often because family members have placed obstacles in the way, and such opposition is invariably concerned with differences in social class and/or wealth, the song always being on the side of the lovers. It is not only parents who take against an unsuitable match – it can be uncles or guardians who interfere, and sometimes brothers (‘The Constant Farmer’s Son’, No. 115), and their action is often the most directly violent.

What happens next varies considerably from song to song. Sometimes there is simply a threat – ‘we will get him pressed to sea’, or ‘send her away’ – but where real action is taken it can be against the recalcitrant family member, or against the sweetheart.

The rule for lovers seems to be ‘get away quick’, because any dalliance simply gives the forces of opposition time to make their move. It is most often the male who is deemed unsuitable and in extreme cases he is quietly murdered, but in others he is framed for theft or, in the case of a failed elopement, for kidnap. Getting pressed to sea is perhaps the least of his worries. Where the unsuitable sweetheart is female (almost always a servant), she is simply dismissed, sent away, or taken abroad and left there, but she can also be framed for theft. In an obtuse sort of way, these songs do reflect something of the reality of life in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century rural England, where young working people were indeed at the mercy of their social superiors and employers.

But the action may be against the family member rather than the suitor, and the girl who falls for a lower-class boy is often shut away and, in extreme cases (‘The Daughter in the Dungeon’, No. 69), beaten and starved into submission, although in these cases she is nearly always rescued.

One of the most common themes of lovers’ tricks is the return of the man in disguise who tests the woman’s love in some way – usually by telling her that her sweetheart has died. Oddly enough, the girl on the receiving end of this treatment never gets indignant or gives him a clout round the ear, but always swoons into his arms. Another modern comment is, ‘How come she did not recognize him?’ But not only is the man often in disguise, it should also be pointed out that in the days before photographs ordinary people did not have any ‘likeness’ of their lover to pore over day by day. The ‘broken token’ theme, which occurs often in this context, is also a possible touch of reality, as people did (and still do) give each other such tokens on parting. It is not easy to break a gold ring in half, but it has been suggested that this refers to specially made lovers’ rings which were designed to separate into two.

But women can also play tricks. When they don male attire it is nearly always to follow their lover into the army or navy (see Part I on soldiers’ and sailors’ songs), and only rarely is it just for the fun of it as in ‘Polly Oliver’s Rambles’ (No. 72), or to test their lover’s resolve (see ‘The Female Highwayman’, Part IX, No. 134).

Another regular theme in song are the clever tricks played by girls on putative suitors, either to preserve their virtue, as in ‘Broomfield Hill’ (No. 63), ‘The Baffled Knight’ (No. 57) and ‘The Knight and the Shepherd’s Daughter’ (Part II, No. 31), or get their own back afterwards as in ‘Basket of Eggs’ (No. 59).

57
The Baffled Knight

There was a shepherd and he

Kept sheep upon a hill

And he would go each May morning

All for to drink his fill.

Chorus

So it’s blow the windy morning

Blow the winds I-O

Clear away the morning dew

And sweet the wind shall blow.

He look-ed high and he look-ed low

And he gave a downward look

And there he spied a pretty maid

A-washing at the brook.

And then they rode along the road

Till they came unto the inn

And ready was the waiting maid

To let the lady in.

She jump-ed off her milk-white steed

And stepped within the inn

Crying, ‘You’re a beggar without

And I’m a maid within.’

‘You may pull off your shoes and hose

And let your feet go bare

And if you meet a pretty girl

You touch her if you dare.’

‘I won’t pull off my shoes or hose

Or let my feet go bare

But if I meet with thee again

Be hanged if I despair.’

58
The Banks of the Sweet Dundee

It’s of a farmer’s daughter, so beautiful I’m told

Her parents died and left her five hundred pounds in gold

She liv-ed with her uncle, the cause of all her woe

And soon you shall hear this maiden fair did prove his overthrow.

Her uncle kept a ploughboy young Mary loved so well

And in her uncle’s garden their tales of love did tell

There was a wealthy squire who oft her came to see

But still she loved her ploughboy on the banks of the sweet Dundee.

It was one summer’s morning her uncle went straightway

He knocked at her bedroom door and unto her did say

‘Come rise up, pretty maiden, a lady you may be

The squire is waiting for you on the banks of the sweet Dundee.’

‘A fig for all your squires, your lords and dukes likewise

My William’s hand appears to be worth diamonds in my eyes.’

‘Begone, you unruly female, ne’er happy you shall be

I mean to banish William from the banks of the sweet Dundee.’

The uncle and the squire rode out one summer’s morn

‘Young William is in favour,’ her uncle he did say

‘Indeed ’tis my intention to tie him to a tree

Or else to bribe the press gang on the banks of the sweet Dundee.’

The press gang came to William when he was all alone

He boldly fought for liberty but they were six to one

The blood did flow in torrents; ‘Pray kill me now,’ said he

‘For I’d rather die for Mary on the banks of the sweet Dundee.’

This maid one day was walking, lamenting for her love

She met the wealthy squire down in her uncle’s grove

He put his arms around her; ‘Stand off, base man,’ cried she

‘For you banished the only lad I love from the banks of the sweet Dundee.’

He clasped his arms around her and tried to throw her down

Two pistols and a sword she spied beneath his morning gown

Young Mary took the weapon, his sword he used so free

But she did fire and shot the squire on the banks of the sweet Dundee.

Her uncle overheard the noise and he hastened to the ground

Saying, ‘Since you have killed the squire, I’ll give you your death wound.’

‘Stand off,’ then cried young Mary, ‘undaunted I will be.’

So the trigger she drew and her uncle slew on the banks of the sweet Dundee.

The doctor soon was sent for, a man of noted skill

Likewise there came his lawyer for him to make his will

He willed his gold to Mary, who fought so manfully

And now she lives quite happy on the banks of the sweet Dundee.

59
Basket of Eggs

There once two sailors were a-walking

Their pockets they were lined with gold

And as they were walking and kindly talking

A pretty fair damsel they did behold.

Now this pretty damsel carried a basket

She set it down to get some ease

One of those sailors said, ‘May I take it?’

‘Oh yes kind sir, if you please.’

Now these two sailors walked on quite briskly

At the halfway house they pass-ed by

Pretty Nancy stepp-ed and so much lighter

And on them she kept her eye.

Now these two sailors called at an alehouse

They called for a pot of the very best

Saying, ‘Landlord, landlord, bring us some bacon

For in that basket there is some eggs.’

The landlord turned unto the basket

He turned away and with a smile

Said, ‘Sailor, sailor, you are mistaken

For instead of eggs there is a child.’

One of those sailors let out to swearing

The other he said, ‘It’s not worth the while

Here’s fifty guineas to any woman

Who’ll take and nurse this lovely child.’

Pretty Nancy standing at the window

She heard what those two sailors said

Crying, ‘Sir, I’ll take it and kindly use it

If you will see the money down paid.’

‘Are you that Nancy, that fairest Nancy

That I danced with last Easter day?’

‘Oh yes kind sir, and pleased your fancy

And now the fiddler you must pay.’

‘So let us go to yonder chapel

Where the knot it shall be tied

Where bells are ringing and sailors singing

And I’ll make you my lawful bride.’

60
The Blind Beggar’s Daughter of Bethnal Green

It’s of a blind beggar and he lost his sight

He had but one daughter, most beautiful bright

‘Shall I seek my fortune, dear father?’ said she

The favour was granted to pretty Betsey.

She set out for London, as I have heard say

And arrived in Bloomford that very same day

And when she came there unto my lord’s house

So handsomely admired was pretty Betsey.

She had not been there no length of time

Before a young lord a-courting her came

‘Your clothes shall be lined with jewels,’ said he

‘If you will but love me, my pretty Betsey.’

‘It’s all for to do it I am willing,’ said she

‘You must first ask the father of pretty Betsey.’

‘Then who is your father? Pray tell unto me

That I may go with you your father to see.’

‘My father is every day to be seen

He is called the Blind Beggar of Bethlem Green

He is called the Blind Beggar, God knows,’ says she

‘He has been a good father to his daughter Betsey.’

‘If you’re a blind beggar’s daughter you won’t do for me

A blind beggar’s daughter my lady shan’t be

A blind beggar’s daughter my lady shan’t be’

So scornfully turned from his pretty Betsey.

Then up spake a young squire, with riches enough

‘If she’s a blind beggar’s daughter she’s never the worse

Your clothes shall be lined with jewels,’ said he

‘If you will but love me, my pretty Betsey.’

‘Your daughter’s not clothed so fine as she shall be

For it’s I will drop guineas for you, my girl.’

He dropp-ed these guineas till they dropp’d on the ground

He dropp-ed till he dropp-ed ten thousand pound.

‘Dear honoured father, I’ve dropped all my store

I’ve dropped all my riches and I can’t drop no more

But grant me your daughter, and that’s all I crave

That I might be married to pretty Betsey.’

‘Oh take her and make her your lady so bright

There’s many a rich lord will owe you great spite

And when you are married, I will lay her down

Ten thousand bright guineas to buy her a gown.’

It’s Billy and Betsey to church they did go

It’s Billy and Betsey they cut a fine show

The most beautiful creature that ever was seen

Was the Blind Beggar’s daughter of Bethlem Green.

61
The Bonny Blue Handkerchief

As early one morning I chanced for to stray

When a pretty young maiden came tripping my way

She had cheeks like red roses and sweetly did sing

She’d a bonny blue handkerchief tied under her chin.

‘Where art thou going, pretty maid?’ as I caught round her waist

‘Oh sir, do not stop me for I am in great haste

I am going to yond’ factory, there cotton to spin

With this bonny blue handkerchief tied under my chin.’

‘Then why wear that handkerchief tied round thy head?’

‘Because it’s the fashion to, kind sir,’ she said

‘And the fashion you know, sir, we like to be in

With this bonny blue handkerchief tied under my chin.’

Then to kiss those fond lips he going to begin

‘Oh stay, sir, oh stay, sir, whilst I tell you one thing

Who kiss these fond lips must show the gold ring

To the bonny blue handkerchief tied under my chin.’

‘This bonny blue handkerchief my love gave to me

And told me to wear it whilst he was at sea

Unto him I’ve proved true as the colour therein

With this bonny blue handkerchief tied under my chin.’

When he heard her so [loyal], he could not forbear

But threw his arms around her and called her his dear

Saying, ‘My dearest jewel, here is the gold ring

To the bonny blue handkerchief tied under your chin.’

When she heard him she knew him and went to his arms

And told of her love as he gazed on her charms

Forth to the church then they went and were married in speed

And this loving couple are happy indeed

When days are called over they sweetly do sing

Taken off the blue handkerchief tied under her chin.

62
Bonny Labouring Boy

It was early one May morning down in some shady grove

I heard a lovely maid complain so grieved as I’ve been told

‘Oh cruel were my parents, they do me so annoy

For they would not let me marry my bonny labouring boy

Oh my bonny labouring boy, oh my bonny labouring boy

They would not let me marry my bonny labouring boy.’

It was early one May morning down in the shady grove

Pondering their hearts together some lovely band of love

Her father he came up to her, he took her by the hand

He swore he’d send young Johnny into some foreign lands

‘He locked me in my bedroom my troubles to annoy

But he would not let me marry my bonny labouring boy

Oh my bonny labouring boy’, etc.

‘My mother came next morning and unto me did say

“Your father has appointed and fixed your wedding day.”

But boldly I made answer and unto her did say

“Now single will I still remain for my bonny labouring boy

Oh my bonny labouring boy”’, etc.

‘So fill your glasses to the brim and drink so merrily round

Here’s a health to every labouring boy that ploughs and sows the ground

And when his day’s work’s over it’s oh my riddle and joy

So happy is the girl that weds my bonny labouring boy

Oh my bonny labouring boy’, etc.

63
Broomfield Hill

A gentleman to a young lady said

‘I’ll bet you five hundred to one

That a maid you go down to yon bonny greenwood side

But a maid you’ll not return back again.’

‘I’ll bet you the same,’ the young lady said

‘And the money I’ll freely lay down

That a maid I’ll go down to yon bonny green woods

And a maid I’ll return back again.’

Then she mixed him a glass of something so strong

He thought it had been some wine

And when he got down to yon bonny green woods

The sleep it came into his mind.

And when he got down to yon bonny green wood-side

Her lover he lie fast asleep

With his hare and his hounds in silk and satin gowns

And his ribbons hanging down to his feet.

Three times she walked round the crown of his head

And twice round the soles of his feet

And three times she kissed his cherry cherry cheeks

As he lied on the ground asleep.

She pulled off her finger her best diamond ring

And pressed it in her lover’s right hand

That was to let him know when he awakened out of sleep

That his lady had been, but was gone.

When he awakened out of his sleep

So well a-wakened was he

He turned his face towards yon bonny bonny broom

And wept most bitterly.

‘Oh where hast thou been to, my bonny greyhound?

And why did you stay so long?

And why did you not waken me out of sleep

Since the maiden has been but she’s gone?’

‘It’s three times I tapped at your silk and satin robe

And twice I groaned so loudly

But I could not awaken you out of sleep

Since the lady had been, but she’s gone.’

If I only had her fast in my arms

And I could but have my will

All the birds in the wood should drink of her blood

Until they had all had their fill.

64
Butter and Cheese and All

What a pity it is to tease me or try me for to sing

When it does not lay in my power to do any such thing

But since you have teased me so I’ll try what I can do

And when I come to the chorus, why you must bawl out too

Why you must bawl out too.

It’s with a cook I fell in love and the truth I don’t deny

For why a cook should have my choice I’ll tell you the reason why

Because she has plenty of mince pies, plum puddings and roast beef

And when my belly was empty she gave to me a relief

She gave to me a relief.

She sent me an invitation some supper for to take

I kindly did accept it all for my belly’s sake

And after supper was over of the cupboard I got the keys

One pocket I crammed with butter and the other I stuffed with cheese

The other I stuffed with cheese.

When supper being over about half an hour or more

When the master smelling of my cheese came tapping at the door

And I not knowing where to hide, up the chimney I did hide

And there I sat quite at my ease like a sweep exalted high

Like a sweep exalted high.

I hadn’t been long there sitting, a-sitting at my ease

When the fire began to melt my butter, likewise to toast my cheese

And every drop that fell in the fire, it caused the fire to flare

The old man looked up the chimney and swore that Satan was there

And he swore that Satan was there.

Then up to the chimney top he got and down some water poured

And I came tumbling after, my butter and cheese and all

But I’m safe down from the chimney now with a smut and a greasy face

And out in the street I nimbly ran and down the street I was chased

And down the street I was chased.

The dogs did bark, the children screamed, up flew the windows all

And every soul cried out ‘Well done’ as loud as they could bawl

So to make an end to my ditty, boys, I hope I ain’t kept you long

So we’ll wish success to the chorus and sing another good song

And sing another good song.

65
Caroline and Her Young Sailor Bold

It’s of a rich nobleman’s daughter, so comely and handsome, we’re told

Her parents possessed a large fortune, of thirty-five thousands in gold

This nobleman had but one daughter, Caroline was her name we are told

One day from her drawing-room window, she admir-ed the young sailor bold.

His cheeks, they appeared like two roses, his hair was as black as the jet

Young Caroline watched his departure, when around with young William she met

She says, ‘I’m a rich nobleman’s daughter, possessed of ten thousand in gold

I’ll forsake both my father and mother, to wed with the young sailor bold.’

He said, ‘My dear young lady, remember, your parents you’re bound for to obey

And in sailors there is no depending, when their true loves are left far behind

I advise you to stay at home with your parents, and do by them as you are told

And never let anyone tempt you, to wed with the young sailor bold.’

She says, ‘I’ll be persuaded by no one one moment to alter my mind

I’ll ship and proceed with my true love, and he never shall leave me behind.’

So she dressed like a gallant young sailor, in her trousers and jacket we’re told

Four years and a half on the salt seas, she ploughed with her young sailor bold.

For three times with him she was shipwrecked, but she always proved like a man

And her duty she done like a sailor, when aloft in her jacket so blue

Her parents long wept and lamented, tears from their eyes in torrents did flow

Till at last they arrived in old England, Caroline and her young sailor bold.

Young Caroline went straight to her father, with her jacket and trousers so blue

Her father one moment lie fainting, when at first she appeared in his view

She said, ‘My dear father, forgive me, deprive me for ever of gold

Grant me your request, I’m contented, to wed with my young sailor bold.’

Her father admir-ed young William, and vowed that in sweet unity

That if life should be spared until morning, they bound together should be

They were married and Caroline’s portion was thirty-five thousands in gold

And now they live happy and cheerful, Caroline and her young sailor bold.

66
Claudy Banks

[’Twas on one summer’s evening all in the month of May

Down by a flowery] garden so carelessly I strayed

I overheard a damsel in sorrow to complain

All for her absent lov-i-er who’d gone to plough the main.

I boldly stepped up to her, which put she in surprise

She really did not know me, I being in disguise

[I said, ‘My charming creature,] my joy and heart’s delight

How far have you to wander this dark and dreary night?’

‘It’s all the way to Cloddy Banks, if you will please to show

Pity a maid distracted, not knowing where to go

I am in search of my true love and Johnny is his name

All on the Banks of Cloddy, I am told he do remain.’

‘Oh it’s six long weeks or better since your Johnny’s left this shore

He’s crossing the wide ocean where thundering billows roar

He’s crossing the wide ocean for honour [and for gain]

Till I were told the ship got wrecked all on the coast of Spain.’

Oh hearing of this dreadful news, it put she in despair

Wringing her hands and crying and tearing of her hair

‘Now Johnny’s gone and left me, no other will I take

Once more to woods and valleys, I’ll wander for his sake.’

Oh hearing of this pretty maid, he could no longer stand

For he fell into her arms, crying, ‘Betsy, I’m that man

I am your false young man, which you thought was slain

But since we met on Cloddy Banks, we’ll never part again’

Crying, ‘Betsy I’m your false young man, which you thought was slain

But since we’ve met on Cloddy Banks we’ll never part again.’

[spoken] Cloddy Banks.

67
Dabbling in the Dew