Joe, my spotted cow is completely unrelated to the lost spotted cow, but here it is! Casey

THE SPOTTED COW (Roud 0956, possibly Child #283 Crafty Farmer)
Frank Joy on Folk songs of the Catskills CD

From singing of Frank Joy. Also known as 'The Crafty Farmer" and earlier as 'The Yorkshire Bite.” (Frank Hinchliffe of s. Yorkshire and Harry Cox each recorded a version.)
another New York State version 1939 appears as "The Kennebec Bite." See Also the detailed references in "American Balladry from British Broadsides", by G. Malcolm Laws, Jr.

this version has an extra beat from time to time

Oh, there was an old fa’mer
and he lived not very far from here,         
He become a very weal-thy fa’mer,
as you sh’ll shaw’tly hear.                  
He’d hawses and cows and many oth’r things,                        
He had a boy to woik f’r’m, the boy's name was John.      

        CHORUS:

        Lolly-doll, lolly doodle,
        lolly toodle link-a-laddle lum
        La lally to-dee, to-de link-a-lay

Early one mornin’ he called to his man,
The boy came to’m his word t’ und’stand.
He said, * “The old spotted cow has no way to the fair,                     
She looks the best, and she we can spare.”
(CHORUS)

The boy took his leave and went off to the fair,
He was there a * little while when he met two men.                              
After a lot a’ dickerin’, that neva seem to end,
The boy sold the cow for six pound ten
(CHORUS)

As these two men wen’ in to drink
They paid the boy all down in chink.
Sayin’ * to the landlady, the boy he did say,               
“What shall I do with the money, I pray?”

CHORUS:

        Lolly-doll, lolly doodle,
        lolly Toodle link-a-laddle lum
        La lally To-dee, To-de link-a-lay

“It's I * will sew it in your coat linin’,” said she,                                    
“For fear on the way it’s robbed of you be.”
Now there sat a highwayman, sippin’ at his wine,
And sayin’ to ‘mself, “That money will be mine.”
(CHORUS)

The boy took ‘is leave and for home he did go,
The highwayman folla’d soon after also.
He'd gone a little hways, he'd ova-taken the boy,
“You're well ova-taken, it gives me joy.”
(CHORUS)

“How far are y’ going - going this way?”
“Four * miles, or more, as near’s I c’n say.”               
“Hop on behind,” the highwayman said,
I'll getcha to yer home 'fore the sun has set.”

CHORUS:

        Lolly-doll, lolly doodle,
        lolly Toodle link-a-laddle lum
        La lally To-dee, To-de link-a-lay

They rode till they come to a long narra lane,
“Now, said the highwayman, I'll tell ya very plain.
Deliver up that money without any strife,
‘r in this long lane I will take away yer life.”
CHORUS:

        Lolly-doll, lolly doodle,
        lolly Toodle link-a-laddle lum
        La lally To-dee, To-de link-a-lay

The boy seeing now no time to dispute,
He leeped from the horse without fear or doubt.         
From the coat linin’ the money he tore out,
And in the long grass he did scatter it about.
(CHORUS)

The highwayman leeped from the haws also,                        
And little did he think it was to his loss.                              
For while he was pickin’ up the money that was lost,   
The boy jumped aboard and went off with the horse.   
(CHORUS)

The highwayman holla’d and bade ‘im to stay,      
The boy said nothin’ but he rode straight away.
Back to his master and thus he did bring,
A haws and a saddle and many fine thing.      
(CHORUS)

By, the soivant being out, she saw John,                     
She went in to acquaint the old man.
the old * man came out, "What the devil is the fuss,      
Why, the old spotted cow is turned to a haws!”
(CHORUS)

On, the saddlebags * bein’ opened,         
out a’ them were told,            
Five hundred pounds in silver and gold.
“For a boy,   you've done mighty reh,                                    
So half a’ this money you shall have f’ y’ share!”         
(CHORUS)