A Wager, A Wager- Maynard (Sussex) 1950s
The Life and Songs of George Maynard
by Ken Stubbs
Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, Vol. 9, No. 4 (Dec., 1963), pp. 180-196
George was born in Smallfield, Surrey on January 6, 1872, and, when asked his birthday, he mentioned that it was Old Christmas Day. In childhood, he moved with his family to the next village, Copthorne, on the borders of Surrey and Sussex.A part from short intervals working away from home, he lived there for the rest of his life. He died, at the age of ninety years, on November 29, 1962.
1. A wager, a wager, a wager I will lay,
I will lay you five hundred to one,
That you don't follow me unto yonders blooming tree,
For a maiden you never shall return.
2. So they both jogged on unto yonders blooming tree,
The weather being very mild and warm,
As he became quite weary he sat down for to rest,
And he fell fast asleep upon the ground.
3. Then nine times she walked the place all around,
And nine times she walked it all round,
And nine times she kissed his red and rosy cheeks,
As he lied fast asleep upon the ground.
4. Then a ring from her finger she earnestly drew,
And plac'd it on her true-love's right hand,
Saying this shall be a token for my true-love when he wakes,
He will find that I have been, but now I'm gone.
5. If I'd been awake when I were fast asleep,
On you I would have had my revenge
For it's you I would have kill'd and your blood I would have spill'd,
And the small birds should all have had their fill.
6. You hard-heartedy.o ung man, how can you say so?
Your heart it must be as hard as any stone,
For to think to murder one who has loved you so dear,
And has danc'd upon the green and mossy lawn.