A lady sets up a cheeky deceit to get her own way. Nobody gets hurt and everyone lives happily ever after. Except the squire, presumably, who gets jilted at the altar. But then, he’s landed gentry so nearly everyone likes to see him fall flat on his noble nose.
lyrics
1. It’s of a young squire of Tamworth, we hear,
He courted a nobleman's daughter so fair;
And then to be married, it was his intent,
All friends and relations they gave their consent.
2. The time was appointed for the wedding day,
and young farmer chosen to give her away;
As soon as the farmer the young lady did spy,
He inflaméd her heart; Oh, my heart! she did cry.
3. She turned from the squire, but nothing she said,
Instead of being married she took to her bed;
The thought of the farmer so strong in her mind,
A way for to have him she quickly did find.
4. Coat, waistcoat, and breeches she then did put on,
And a hunting she went with her dog and her gun;
She hunted all round where the farmer did dwell,
Because in her heart she did love him full well:
5. She oftentimes fired, but nothing she killed,
At length the young farmer came into the field;
And to discourse with him it was her intent,
With her dog and her gun to meet him she went.
6. I thought you would be at the wedding, she cried,
To wait on the squire, and give him his bride.
No, sir, said the farmer, if truth I may tell,
I'll not give her away, for I love her too well.
7. Suppose that the lady should grant you her love,
You know that the squire your rival will prove.
Why then, says the farmer, I'll take sword in hand, and by honour I'll gain her if she shall command.
8. It pleaséd the lady to find him so bold;
She gave him a glove that was flowered with gold,
And said that she’d found it whilst walking along,
As she was a-hunting with her dog and gun.
9. The lady went home with a heart full of love,
And gave out a notice that she'd lost a glove;
And when someone finds it, and brings it to me,
Whomever he is; my husband shall be.
10. The farmer was pleased when he heard of the news,
With a heart full of joy to the lady he goes:
Dear, honoured lady, I bring you your glove,
And I hope you'll be pleaséd to grant me your love.
11. It's already granted, I will be your bride;
I love the sweet breath of a farmer, she cried.
I'll be mistress of my dairy, and milking my cow,
Whilst my jolly brisk farmer is whistling at plough.
12. And when she was married she told of her fun,
How she went a-hunting with her dog and gun:
And now that I've got him so fast in my snare,
I'll enjoy him for ever, I vow and declare!
I’ll enjoy him forever, I vow and do declare.
credits
from Paper of Pins,
released June 20, 2016
(Lyrics; trad. Melody; Dyer. Arr VS&JD)
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