Constant Farmer's Son- Elizabeth Nation (Som) c.1908 Blunt
[My date. From Janet Blunt Manuscript Collection (JHB/9/8), notes about Blunt follow.
R. Matteson 2016]
Janet Blunt Manuscript Collection- Janet Heatley Blunt was born in India, 28 April 1859, the daughter of Charles Harris Blunt (1824-1900) Through her contacts with the tenants and villagers, she collected the music and dances of the village, particularly the songs, morris dances and religious music between 1907 and 1931.
The Constant Farmer's Son- sung by Mrs. Fred [Elizabeth] Nation, of Bathpool, Somerset about 1908. Collector: Blunt, Janet
It's of a merchant's daughter dear and in London she did dwell,
So modest, fair and handsome, and her parents loved her well.
She was admired by lords and squires, but all their hopes were vain,
For she loved one and only one, for she loved one and only one, her constant farmer's son.
Her parents they consented, but her brothers they said, nay,
So they asked young William's company with them to spend the day;
But mark, returning home again how soon his race was run,
For they with a stake the life did take, for they with a stake the life did take, of her constant farmer's son.
As Mary on her pillow lay, she had a dreadful dream,
She dreamt she saw his body laid, down by some crystal stream,
Then she arose; put on her clothes-- to seek her love she go,
it's dead and cold, she did behold (bis) her constant farmer's son.
With those cold tears all on his cheek, and mingled with his gore,
She strived in vain, to ease her pain, and kissed him ten times o'er,
She gathered the green leaves from the trees, to keep him from the sun,
A night and day she passed away (bis.) with her constant farmer's son.
Now hunger came creeping o'er this poor girl and homeward she did go;
. . . .
Saying "Parents dear, you soon shall hear, what a dreadful deed is done,
In yonder vale he's dead and pale(bis.), my constant farmer's son."
Up spoke the younger brother and said "It was not I,
The same replied the elder one, he swore most bitterly,
Young Mary said "Don't turn so red, nor try the law to shun,
You've done the deed, and you shall bleed (bis.) for my constant farmer's son."