Constant Farmer's Son- McDaid/Houten (Don) 1988
[From: Jimmy McBride Collection; ITMA Reference Number: 516-ITMA-MP3.
R. Matteson 2016]
The Constant Farmer's Son- Denis McDaid and Jimmy Houten, singing in English. Recorded at Ballyliffin Hotel, Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal in May, 1988.
There were a farmer’s daughter in Limerick town did dwell
She was neat gentile and handsome and her parents loved her well
She was admired by lords and squires but all their hopes were vain
There were only one a farmer’s son young Mary’s heart could gain.
A long time young Willie courted her appointed the wedding day
Her parents they had give consent her brothers they did say
There is one lord who pledged his word and him you will not shun
For we will slay or else betray your constant farmer’s son.
There were a fair not far from home her brothers went straightway
And asked young Willie’s company with them to spend the day
The fair being gone it’s night came on they said your race is run
With a dagger’s knife they took his life the constant farmer’s son.
As Mary on her pillow lay she dreamed a dreadful dream
She dreamed she saw her own true love lying in yon crystal stream
As she arose put on her clothes to seek her love did run
‘Twas dead and cold she did behold her constant farmer’s son.
It’s hunger it came on poor girl and home ways straight did go
And to relieve her troubled mind she kissed him over and o’er
She gathered the green leaves of the trees to shield him from the sun
Both night and day I passed that way with my constant farmer’s son.