Bruce Olson directed readers to the Scarce Songs#1 section of his Broadside Ballads; this is now hosted by Mudcat and can be found via the Quick Links drop-down menu at the top of every Mudcat page, or else at the CSU Fresno site Bruce Olson's Roots of Folk. Here is the text of the Maiden's Sad Complaint as written by Bruce Olson: The Maidens Sad Complaint for want of a Husband Wherein she briefly doth declare The want of a Mate makes her despair: She hath her portion all in Houshold goods Yet none of those that wear scarfs and Hoods For she commends her self to any man That will but please her all the best he can To the new Westcountry Tune: Or, Hogh when shall I be married? by L. W. O when shall I be married, hogh be married; My beauty begins to decay: 'Tis time to find somebody hogh some body Before it is quite gone away My father hath forty good shillings, hogh good shillings; And never a daughter but I: My mother is also willing hogh is willing That I shall have all if she dye. I have gotten some money about me hogh about me For to help me in time of need, Five shillings pray do not flout me hogh do not flout me For I will be married with speed My father did give me a dish, hogh and a spoon, And a Table made of an old board: Some young man will for me wish hogh will wish When he hears how bravely I'me stord. My mother she gave me a ladle hogh a ladle And that for the present lies by, My aunt she hath promist a cradle hogh a cradle When any man with me does lye. A pippin my Unkle he gave me hogh he gave me And milk=pourage in it to make; And I let them burn so bravely, hogh so bravely To show that a slut I do hate. I have got two spoons and a trencher, hogh a trencher with poringers made of clay; Some squires son that is a wencher, hogh a wencher I wish he would fetch me away. I have a soft bed to ly on hogh to ly on With feathers an ell long I say But the most of all my sorrow hogh my sorrow Is for want of Batchellours play. Fine pippins & noggins my cozen hogh my cozen Has gave me that are so good; With taps and sossers a dozen hogh a dozen And a chamber pot made of wood. Thus young men I have declared hogh declared My household stuff which do ly by; These seven years I have despaired hogh despaired For fear I a maiden should dy. If any youngman will have me hogh will have me And no other maiden esteem I will maintain him bravely hogh so bravely And feast him with curd & cream. For I'm a girl that's willing hogh is willing To change my maiden name; So with me he will be billing hogh be billing I don't care from whence he came. Then Thomas, Robbin or Willy, hogh or Willy Come any that is a man; Let be Ralph, or Jarvis the silly hogh wise or silly Come love me as well as you can. If any man will me marry, hogh me marry I'le love him wonderous well; for if I longer should tarry hogh should tarry I fear I should lead Apes in Hell. There are two wonderful blackletter copies, with splendid illustrations, in the Bodleian Collection:- Wood E 25(57) and Douce Ballads 2(145a). Matthew
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