Merchant's Daughter- (Wilt) c.1917 Alfred Williams
[No informant named, date given. From: WSRO: 2598/36 Packet 5 - Miscellaneous: Williams, A: MS collection No Mi 632. The end is clearly missing- not on the site. Since it's otherwise complete I've added the last two lines.
Alfred Williams (1877–1930), song collector, was born at South Marston, near Swindon, Wiltshire.
R. Matteson 2016]
Merchant's Daughter- No informant named, c. 1917 collected by Alfred Williams, probably in Wiltshire.
Verse 1
It's of a merchant's daughter in London did dwell,
So modest, fair and handsome, her parents loved her well,
She was admired by lords and squires but all their hopes were vain,
For there was but one, a farmer's son, young Mary's heart could gain.
Verse 2
Long time young William courted her and fixed their wedding day,
Their parents all consented, but her brothers they did say -
'There lives a lord who pledged his sword, and him you shall not shame.
We will betray and then will slay your constant farmer's son.'
Verse 3
A fair was held not far from town, her brothers went straightaway,
And asked young William's company with them to pass the day:
But mark, returning home again, they swore his race was run,
Then with a stake the life did take of the constant farmer's son.
Verse 4
Those villains then returned home - 'Oh, sister,' they did say,
'Pray think no more of your false love but let him go his way.
It's truth we tell in love he fell and with some other one,
Therefore we came to tell the same of the constant farmer's son.'
Verse 5
As Mary on her pillow lay she had a dreadful dream,
She dreamt she saw his body lie down by a crystal stream;
Then she arose, put on her clothes, to seek her love did run,
When dead and cold she did behold her constant farmer's son.
Verse 6
The salted tears stood on her cheeks all mingled with his gore,
She shrieked in vain to ease her pain, and kissed him ten times o'er;
She gathered green leaves from the tree to keep him from the sun,
One night and day she passed away with her constant farmer's son.
Verse 7
But hunger it came creeping on, poor girl! she shrieked with woe,
To try to find her murderers she straightway home did go
Saying - 'Parents dear, you soon shall hear what dreadful deed is done.
In yonder vale lies dead and pale my constant farmer's son.'
Verse 8
Up spoke the oldest brother then - 'Indeed it is not me.'
The same replied the younger one, and swore most bitterly;
But Mary said - 'Don't turn so red, nor try the law to shun.
You've done the deed, makes my heart to bleed, for my constant farmer's son.'
Verse 9
Those villains then did own their guilt, and for the same did die.
Young Mary fair in deep despair she never ceased to cry,
[The parents they did fade away, the glass of life was run,
And Mary cried, in sorrow died, for her constant farmer's son.]