Sheffield Park- Moses Blake (Hamp) 1906 Gardiner
[George Gardiner Collection from The Wanton Seed: more English folk songs from the Hammond & Gardiner collections by Frank Purslow, Henry Edward Denison Hammond, Robert Francis Frederick Hammond - 1969. Stanza 7 from George Whitland in 1907.
R. Matteson 2017]
Sheffield Park- sung by Moses Blake of Emery Down, Hampshire in May of 1906.
In Sheffield Park, oh there did dwell
A brisk young lad, I know him well
He courted me my heart to gain
But he's gone and left me full of pain
I went upstairs to make the bed
Laid myself down and nothing said
My mistress came to my bedside
What is the matter with you, my maid?
0 mistress mistress you little know
The pain and sorrow I undergo
just clasp[1] your hand to my left breast
My aching heart can take no rest.
My mistress gone from my bedside
Some help, some help, for you I'll find
No help, no help, no help I crave
Sweet William has brought me to the grave
It's take this letter immediately
And give it to him if he can read
Send me an answer without delay
For he think he stole my heart away
He took the letter immediately
And read it while the maid sat by
As soon as he read it the letter he burned
I take delight for to hear her mourn."
How could my love so foolish be
To think I loves no one but she.
Man is not meant for one alone
I take delight for to hear her mourn."
"A false young man I found thee art,
It is thou that broke my young[2] child's heart.
In Abraham's bosom she shall sleep,
Whilst thy tormenting soul doth weep."
They gathered green grass for her bed.
And a flowery pillow for her head;
And the leaves that fall from tree to tree,
Shall be the covering over thee.
1. originally "clap"
2. MS has "own"