| Music File Lesley Nelson |
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| There are a great number of variants to this tune. They include There is an ale-house in Yonder Town, and There's a Tavern in the Town. The Traditional Ballad Index states that a 1891 source attributes Tavern to F. J. Adams, but adds that this is not confirmed in other sources. |
A brisk young sailor came courting me Until he gained my liberty. He stole my heart with free good will And he's got it now, but I love him still. There is an ale house in yonder town Where my love goes and he sits him down. He takes some strange girl on his knees And he tells her what he does not tell me. Hard grief for me and I'll tell you why, Because that she has more gold than I. her gold will waste, her beauty pass, And she'll come like me, a poor girl, at last. I wish to God that my babe was born, Sat smiling all on its father's knee; And I in my cold grave was lain With the green grass growing all over me. There is a bird all in yonder tree; Some say he's blind and he cannot see. I wish it'd been the same by me Before I'd gain'd my love's company. The greenest field it shall be my bed. A flow'ry pillow shall rest my head, The leaves which blow from tree to tree, They shall be the coverlets over. |
| From
One Hundred English Folksongs See Bibliography for full information. |
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