Constant Farmer's Son- John Maguire (Ferm) c.1920 Morton
[From: Come Day, Go Day, God Send Sunday: The Songs and Life Story, Told in his Oun Words, of John Maguire, Traditional Singer and Farmer from Co. Fermanagh; 2015 by Robin Morton. Text spoken by Maguire follows,
R. Matteson 2016]
I remember another song that that old poet [ William Quigley] as we called him round our side used to sing, when me and him would be working together. We wrought together. He was an old man but I was only very young at the time.
Constant Farmer's Son- Sung by John Maguire (1902-76), Co Fermanagh; learned from William Quigley circa 1920; recorded in 1972.
There was a rich farmer's daughter near Limerick town did dwell;
She was modest fair and handsome, her parents loved her well.
She was admired by lords and squires, but all their hopes in vain;
There was but one young farmer's son now Mary's heart did gain.
Long time young Willie courted her they appointed the wedding day.
Her parents give consent but her brothers they did say,
'There's one young lord has pledged his word and we will not him shun,
For we'll betray and surely slay your constant farmer's son.'
The fair being held near to that town her brothers went straightway,
They asked young William«s company with them to spend the day.
The fair was gone and night came on and they swore that his race was run,
And with their sticks the life did take of her constant farmer's son.
Oh Mary on her pillow lay she had an awful dream,
She dreamt she saw her true love lying dead in yon purling stream.
Mary arose, put on her clothes, to seek her love she ran,
It was pale and cold she did behold her constant farmer's son.
She took him by the lily-white hand she kissed him o'er and o'er,
And to release her troubled mind she kissed him o'er again,
She pulled the green leaves off yon trees, to shade him from the sun,
Three nights and days she passed away with her constant farmer's son.
The hunger pain came creeping on and this poor girl wept with woe,
And for to find the murderers it's homeward she did go.
It's parents dear or did youse hear that dreadful deed that's done
In yonder vale lies cold and pale my constant farmer's son.
Down came the eldest brother and said, 'It was not me,'
And so replied the younger one and swore it bitterly.
Hold down your heads don't go so red, but try the law to shun
Youse have done the deed and youse'll bleed for my constant farmer's son.
These villains they were found guilty and for that same did die,
The doctors got their bodies all for to practice on[1],
In a madhouse cell young Mary dwells for her constant farmer's son.
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1. The second or third line is incomplete. The second and third (missing) lines may be changed and the stanza may appear:
These villains they were found guilty and for that same did die,
The doctors got their bodies all for to practice by,
But Mary’s thoughts both night and day on her true love they do run,
In a madhouse cell young Mary dwells for her constant farmer's son.