Constant Farmer's Son- W. Nott (Dev) 1904 Sharp
[From: Cecil Sharp Manuscript Collection (at Clare College, Cambridge) (CJS2/9/163).
R. Matteson 2016]
Constant Farmer's Son- sung by William Nott of Meshaw, Devon on January 9, 1904. Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
1. It's of a merchant's daughter in London town did dwell,
So modest, fair and handsome, her parents loved her well.
She was admired by lords and squires, but all their thoughts in vain,
There was one, a farmer's son, [bis.]
Young Mary's heart would gain.
2. Long time young William courted her, and fixed their wedding day,
Their parents they consented, her[1] brothers both did say
"There lives a lord who pledged his word, and him she shall not shun;
We will betray and then will slay [bis.]
This constant farmer's son."
3. A fair being held not far from town; these brothers went straightway,
And asked young William's company with them he opened the day;
Then Mark— returned home again, he swore his race was run,
Then with a stake, the life did take [bis.]
Of her constant farmer's son.
4. These villains then returning home,"O sister"they did say,
"Pray think no more of your false love, but let him go his way,
For it's truth we tell, in love he fell, and with some other one;
Therefore we come to tell the same of the constant farmer's son."
5. As on her pillow Mary lay, she dreamed a dreadful dream,
She dreamed that she saw her lover down by [ ] crystal stream,
Then she arose, put on her clothes, to seek her love did run,
When dead, and cold, she did behold [bis.]
her constant farmer's son.
6. Then salt tear ran down her cheeks, all mingled with their gore,
She shrieked in vain, to ease her pain, and kissed him ten times o'er,
She gathered green leaves from the trees, to keep him from the sun,
One night and day she passed away [bis.]
with the constant farmer's son.
7. Then hunger it came creeping on; poor girl she shrieked for woe,
Trying to find his murderers she straightway home did go,
Saying 'Parents dear, you soon shall hear, a dreadful deed is done,
In yonder vale lies dead and pale, [bis.]
my constant farmer's son."
8. Then Up comes her older brother and swears "it is not me,"
Then up comes the younger one, and swore most bitterly,
But Mary said "Don't turn so red, nor try the laws to shun,
You've done the deed, and you shall bleed [bis.]
for my constant farmer's son."
9. [Those[2] villains soon they owned their guilt, and for the same did die;
Young Mary fair, in deep despair, she never ceased to cry;]
Her parents they did fade away, the glass of life is run,
Young Mary cried, in sorrow died [bis.]
for her constant farmer's son.
1, MS has "his"
2. First two lines are missing in MS - supplied from Burstow's version