Constant Farmer's Son- Mrs. Barnes (Hamp) c.1908
[From the George Gardiner Manuscript Collection (GG/1/17/1104). Also in The Folk Handbook: Working with Songs from the English Tradition by John Morrish - 2007.
R. Matteson 2016]
The Constant Farmer's Son -sung by Mrs. Barnes, of Hampshire about 1908. Collectors: G.B. Gardiner and Charles Gamblin.
There was a wealthy nobleman in London Town did dwell,
He had but one daughter, a farmer loved her well.
She was admired by lads and squires but all their hopes was vain,
For there was one, 'twas a farmer's son, young Mary's heart could gain.
Long time young William courted her, fixed the wedding day,
Her parents they consented, but her brothers they did say,
"There was a lord who pledged his word and him she shall not shun,
We will betray and then we'll slay the constant farmer's son."
As she lay on her pillow, she had a dreadful dream,
She dreamt she saw his body, down by a crystal stream.
Then she arose, put on her clothes, to seek her love's return.
When dead and cold she did behold her constant farmer's son.
Hunger it came creeping on, poor girl she shrieked with woe,
To try to find his murderers she straightaway home did go,
Saying "Parents dear, you soon shall hear, a dreadful deed is done,
In yonder vale lies dead and pale my constant farmer's son."
Up stepped the eldest brother, "Indeed it is not me."
Then up stepped the other and swore more bitterly.
Young Mary said, "Don't turn so red, nor try the laws to shun,
For you done the deed and you shall bleed, for my constant farmer's son."