The Constant Farmer's Son- (NY) 1949 NYFQ 5
[From New York Folklore Quarterly - Volumes 5 - Page 97, 1949. I do not have a copy of this issue so no informant and incomplete text. A similar version appears in a 1951 NYFQ.
R. Matteson 2016]
There are two versions of the story of the constant farmer's son in my collection. The fuller one, which follows, was sung to me by an old Irishman, who learned it in Ireland many years ago.
The Constant Farmer's Son- from 1949 NYFQ, Volume 5; sung to me by an old Irishman, who learned it in Ireland many years ago.
1. 'Twas of a rich farmer's daughter in Monaghan town did dwell,
She was modest, tall and handsome, and her parents loved her well,
She was admired by dukes and squires, but all their hopes in vain —
There was but one, a farmer's son, young Mary's heart did gain.
2. Long time young Willy courted her and appointed a wedding day;
Her parents they gave their consent, but her brothers they did say,
"There is a lord that pledged his word, and him you cannot shun,
For we'll waylay and we'll betray your constant farmer's son.
3. A race being held not far from town, the brothers went that way,
And asked young Willy's company with them to spend the day.
The day being gone, the night came on, they said his course was run,
And with a stake the life did take of the constant farmer's son.
4. Mary on her pillow lay, she dreamt a dreadful dream,
She dreamt she seen her own true love lying in yon purling stream.
Mary arose, put on her clothes, to see her love she ran,
And dead and cold she did behold her constant farmer's son.
She plucked the green leaves from the trees to shade him from the sun,
And both night and day she passed away with her constant farmer's son.
Hunger, it came creeping on, poor girl she did not know,
And to seek those murderers right homeward she did go.
"Kind parents dear, you soon shall hear the dreadful deed that's done,
On yonder stream lies dead and pale my constant farmer's son."
Up spoke the eldest brother and said, "It was not I."
The same replied the younger one and most bitterly did cry.
But Mary cried, "Do not lie or try the law to shun;
You've done the deed and you must bleed for my constant farmer's son.
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