Constant Farmer's Son- James McDermott (Ferm) 1980
[Recorded by Keith Summers and Jenny Hicks in McGrath's pub, Brookeborough, Co Fermanagh, 8.8.80; their notes follow, also We've Received Orders to Sail, Voice of the People, Topic TSCD662.
R. Matteson 2016]
The plot of The Constant Farmer's Son was used in the 14th century by Boccaccio in The Decameron and later made the subject of poems: by Nuremberg poet Hans Sachs in the 16th century; and, in the early 19th century, by John Keats in his Isabella and the Pot of Basil.
Based on an older song, The Bramble Briar or Bruton Town, which has been described as 'probably the song with the longest history in the English tradition', it owes its continued popularity to its appearance on nineteenth century broadsides. A version from Hertfordshire in 1914 gives it as 'Lord Burling's (or Burlington's) Sister or The Murdered Serving Man.
Quite a well-known song with 84 instances in Roud's Index - but although it is popular in Ireland, it would seem that only Josie Connors (Wicklow, on MTCD325-6), John Maguire (Fermanagh, on Leader LEE 4062) have been recorded, while Sam Henry heard it from May Logan in Derry, 1939, and it has only appeared in print there a couple of times. However, it was found all over the southern half of England, from people like Henry Burstow (Sussex), Shepherd Hayden (Oxon), Eliza Small (Somerset), Billy Jordan (Lincs) and many other less well-known singers.
James McDermott can also be heard on We've Received Orders to Sail, Voice of the People, Topic TSCD662
The Constant Farmer's Son - James McDermott as recorded by Keith Summers and Jenny Hicks in McGrath's pub, Brookeborough, Co Fermanagh, 8.8.80.
There was a rich farmer's daughter,
In Limerick Town did dwell,
Bright, modest, fair, and handsome,
Her parents they loved her well.
She was admired by lords and squires,
But all their hope's in vain,
Ah, there was one, a young farmer's son,
Young Mary's heart did gain.
A long time young Willie courted her,
And appointed the wedding day,
Her parents they did give consent,
But her brothers they did say.
"There's one young lord
Who's pledged his word,
And him we will not shun,
For we'll betray, and surely slay,
Your constant farmer's son."
The fair being held near to this town,
Her brothers went straight away
They asked young Willie's company,
With them to spend the day.
The day being gone, and night came on,
They swore the race was run,
It was with their sticks the life they took,
Of her constant farmer's son.
As Mary on her pillow lay,
She had a frightful dream,
She dreamt she saw her true love dead,
Lying in yon pouring stream.
Mary arose, put on her clothes,
To seek her love did run,
Whilst pale and cold, she did behold,
Her constant farmer's son.
She took him by the lily-white hand
And she kissed him o'er and o'er.
And for to release her troubled mind,
She kissed him more again.
She gathered the green leaves off the trees,
To shade him from the sun,
And three nights and days, she passed away,
With her constant farmer's son.
Whilst hunger and pain kept creeping,
This poor girl wept with woe,
And for to find the murderers,
Straight homeward she did go.
Saying "Parents dear, and did youse hear,
Of this dreadful deed that's done,
For in yonder vale, lies cold and pale,
My constant farmer's son."
The doctor got their bodies
All for to practice on.
And in a madhouse cell, young Mary dwells,
For her constant farmer's son.