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Traditional, arr. Calhoun

(Keach in the Creel) Child #281 A Chaucerian farce. Tune is the one printed in Francis J Child's English and Scottish Popular Ballads.

lyrics

A fair young maid went up the street
Some sweetmeats for to buy;
And a young clerk fell in love with her
And followed her on the sly.

"O, where live ye, my bonnie lass?
i pray ye tell to me;
and though the night were never so dark
i'd come and visit thee!"

"My father locks the door at night
And my mother keeps the key;
And though the night were ever so dark
You couldn't get in to me."

This clerk he had a true brother,
And a good square-wright was he;
And he has made a long ladder
With thirty steps and three.

He made a basket and a hook
With a long rope and a pin;
He's away to the chimney top
To lower the young clerk in.

The old wife, she lay wide awake
Though late late was the hour;
"I'll lay my life," said the silly old wife,
"There's a man in our daughter's bower!"

The old man he went down the stairs
To see if it were true;
She took the young clerk in her arms
In under the coverlet blue.

"O, what are you doing my daughter dear?
O, what are you doing my doo?"
"I'm prayin' on the bible here
For my dear old mother and you."

"O wife, O wife, you silly old wife,
Cursed may you be!
She's got the bible in her arms
And she's praying for you and me."

The old wife lying wide awake
Heard something that was said
"I'll lay my life," said the silly old wife
"There's a man in our daughter's bed"

"Get up, get up, my good old man
And see if it be true."
"Get up yourself, you silly old woman
And may the devil take you."

The old wife she went down the stairs
To see if it be true;
But she slipped on the rope and reeled about
And into the basket she flew.

The man that was at the chimney-top
Finding the basket full;
He wrapped the rope his shoulder round
And swiftly he did pull.

"Get up, get up, my good old man
O help me, husband do;
For you wished me to the devil
And I fear he's got me now."

"Oh if the foul fiend's got you now
I hope he'll hold you fast,
For between you and your pious daughter
I haven't had a wink of rest."

The man at the top he gave a cry
Then he let the basket fall;
While every rib in the old wife's side
Went nick-nack on the wall.

Here's to all a fond farewell,
And a health to the lovers true;
And may every old wife that wakes in the night
Get a shake in the basket too.

credits

from Telfer's Cows: Folk Ballads from Scotland, released March 12, 2004
Joe Root, accordion
Donny Wright, bass

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Andrew Calhoun Chicago, Illinois

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