The Watercress Girl
(Lyrics by Harry Clifton)

One day I took a ramble
Down by a running stream
Where the water lilies gambol,
It was a lovely scene.

And there I saw a maiden,
A maiden from the dell.
She was gathering watercresses,
'Twas Martha the watercress girl.

Her hair hung down in tresses,
Down by the mill that's close to the stream.
She was gathering watercresses
Was Martha the watercress girl.

I asked her if she was lonely,
She answered with a smile;
Kind sir, I am not lonely,
For here I daily toil.

I have to rise up early,
My cresses for to sell.
My Christian name is Martha,
They call me the watercress girl.

The day is not far distant
When Martha will be mine,
And on our wedding morning
It will be nice and fine.

I'll have to rise up early,
And dress up like an earl,
To go and marry Martha,
The sweet little watercress girl.

Her hair hung down in tresses,
Down by the mill that's close to the stream.
She was gathering watercresses
Was Martha the watercress girl.


From the singing of Johnny Doughty of Brighton, Sussex.
Recorded by Mike Yates (and Camille Saunders, August 1976?)
Issued on Veteran Tapes cassette 'The Horkey Load: Vol. 2' VT109, 1988.

Another recording of the song by Tommy Morrissey of Padstow, Cornwall is available, also on cassette from Veteran, on 'Pass Around the Grog' VT122, 1992.