BARLEY STRAW

'Tis of a jolly old farmer
Who lived in the west country.
He had the finest daughter
That ever my eyes did see.

'Tis of a rich young squire,
'Was living there close by,
And he found he wouldn't be easy
Until he'd had a try.

So he dressed himself as a tinker
And he travelled on his way.
Until he came to the farmer's house
'Was standing there close by.

"Oh, have you got any kettles or
Pots or pans to mend.
Oh, have you got any lodgings
Me being a single man".

"Oh, yes" replied this pretty fair maid,
Not thinking any harm.
"Oh, you can stay with us all night
If you sleep in our old barn".

So after tea was over
And she went to make his bed,
The tinker following after
He stole her maidenhead.

The tinker, he being nimble
He jumped up and he barred the door,
And she spent all night in the tinkers arms
Amongst the Barley Straw.

"Oh, since you've slept with me all night
Don't think of me none the worse".
He's put his hand in his pocket and
Pulled out a heavy purse.

"Here's fifty pound I will give to you
To pay the nurse's fee,
And if ever I came this way again,
Fair maid I will marry thee".

"Oh, since you cannot now marry me,
Pray tell to me your name.
Likewise your occupation
And where and whence you came".

He's whispered softly in her ear
"Oh they call me Davey Shore,
And if ever I came this way again,
You'll remember the Barley Straw".

Now six month being over,
And the nine month coming on,
This pretty little fair maid
Is the mother of a son.

Her father cried "Oh, daughter dear,
Who has done you this harm".
"Oh, I'm afraid it was the old tinker
Who slept in our old barn".

Recorded by Martin Carthy
@seduction @beggar @bastard
filename[ BARLSTRW
IP
mudcat.org

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