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ROGER THE MILLER Young Roger the miller has courted of late, A farmer's braw daughter called beautiful Kate, Whose wealthy portion was five hundred pounds, Besides stores of riches and fine silken gowns. Silk ribbons, fine laces, with diamond rings, With symptoms of pearls and twenty fine things, This amorous beauty and money likewise, Has tackled his fancy and dazzled his eyes. That he was obliged to tell her his mind, Desiring he would prove lovely and kind, For no other woman should ere be his wife, For she was the jewel and the joy of his life. He ofttimes repeated fine stories of love, How constant he would be and how faithful he'd prove, Till at length this poor lassie began to relent, And with her friends' liking she gave her consent. And all was agreed that the wedding should be, With Roger her lover as plainly you'll see, The day was appointed the money was told, Which was a bright portion of silver and gold. Young Roger he then to her father said, It's I will not wed with this beautiful maid, Altho' she be beautiful charming and fair, Without the addition of Tib your gray mare. Her father made answer unto him with speed, I thought you was to marry my daughter indeed, And not the gray mare but sure it is thus, My money once more I will put in my purse. And as I'm her father I'll solemnly swear, I'll keep baith my money and Tib the gray mare; The money soon vanished out of his sight, And so did young Kitty his joy and delight. And he like a blockhead was turned out of door, Desiring him never to come any more; Young Roger began his locks for to tear And wish he had never stood for the gray mare. Five days after or a little above He chanced to meet with young Kitty his love, He said, Lovely creature, do you not know me If I'm not mistaken I've seen you, said she. For one in your likeness with long yellow hair Once came a-courtin' my father's gray mare, Oh no, it was you that a-courting I came, As sure as you're beautiful Kitty by name. But I know, she said, for you need not deny't For the truth of the matter was very well tried, And unto my father you solemnly swore, That you would not wed me without the gray mare. But I must acknowledge you would have had both That whiles for pleasure we might have rode, Not thinking that there would be any dispute, In giving his daughter the mare to the boot. Before he had lost such a dutiful son; But now I am sorry for what I have done; She said, I'm not sorry, I value you not, There is plenty of men in the world to be got. But surely a man must be at his last prayer Who would marry a girl for the sake of a mare The price was not great So farewell, Roger; go mourn for your mare. @animal @courtship This is #761A from the Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, from Miss Bell Robertson. Text only - no tune. Laws P08 DT #339 filename[ GREYMAR3 TUNE FILE: GREYMARE CLICK TO PLAY JRO Feb07  8note Sheet |
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