Listening to Jean Redpath's version of this, and wonder about the meaning of the lyrics: I ha meal and milk in plenty
I ha kale and cakes fee dainty
I've a but an ben fee genty [note: the DT has "gentry", a typo?]
But I want a wife like thee

Tho my mallen be but small

What is "but an ben fee (pronounced "foo") genty?" and "mallen"?

yours, Peter T.