Penguin: Salisbury Plain

Subject: Penguin: Salisbury Plain
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 02 Jul 00 - 03:36 AM

G'day,
From the Penguin Book Of English Folk Songs, Ed Pellow's rendition of the tune of Salisbury Plain can be found here.

SALISBURY PLAIN

As I walked over Salisbury Plain,
Oh, there I met a scamping young blade.
He kissed me and enticed me so
Till along with him I was forced for to go.

We came unto a public house at last,
And there for man and wife we did pass.
He called for ale and wine and strong beer,
Till at length we both to bed did repair.

'Undress yourself, my darling,' says he.
'Undress yourself, and come to bed with me.'
'Oh yes, that I will,' then says she,
'If you'll keep all those flash girls away.'

'Those flash girls you need not fear,
For you'll be safe-guarded, my dear.
I'll maintain you as some lady so gay,
For I'll go a-robbing on the highway.'

Early next morning my love he arose,
And so nimbly he put on his clothes.
Straight to the highway he set sail,
And 'twas there he robbed the coaches of the mail.

Oh, it's now my love in Newgate Jail do lie,
Expecting every moment to die.
The Lord have mercy on his poor soul,
For I think I hear the death-bell for to toll.

Sung by Mr and Mrs Verrall, Horsham, Sussex (R.V.W. 1904)

Previous song: A Sailor's Life.
Next song: The Ship In Distress.

Cheers,
Alan