THE CRAFTY BOY
or THE LITTLE YORKSHIRE BOY

There was an old farmer in Yorkshire did dwell
And a pretty little Yorkshire boy he had for his man
A pretty little Yorkshire boy he had for his man
And for to do his business, his name it was John

Timothy right, fol de dol de dol de, right fol dol de

Oh the farmer called down to his man John
And unto him his man John he came
Saying, "Take this cow to the fair today
She's in proper good order and her I can spare"

Oh the boy took the cow and away rode he
The boy took the cow and away rode he
He hadn't been long gone till he met two men
When he sold them the cow for six pound ten
Oh, the butcher he took the boy in for a drink
Oh the butcher he paid down the boy his jink
And turning to the landlord, thus he did say
"What shall I do with the money, I pray?"

"I will sew it in the linings of my coat, then," says he
"For I'm afraid on the highway it's robbed I might be"
Says the man to himself, while drinking up his wine
Says he to himself, "That money is mine"

Oh the boy took his money and away rode he
The highwayman followed after him also
"You're well overtaken, young man," says he
"How many mile further?" the robber did reply

"Oh four miles further," the boy did reply
"Then jump on my horseback and jump up behind
...
So the boy jumped the horseback and away rode they
Oh they rode till they came to some dark lane
Says the robber unto Jack, "I must tell you plain
Deliver up your money without any strife
Or instantly I will end your life"

Oh the boy thought it was no time to dispute
From the linings of his coat all the money he pulled out
From the linings of his coat all his money he pulled out
And among the long grass he scattered it about

Oh the robber he unlighted for to gather in his money
But little did he think it was to his loss
While gathering the money in his purse
The boy jumped a-horseback and rode away with his horse


"Oh," says the boy to the farmer, "I must tell you plain
It's robbed I was by a highwayman
And while he was gathering his money in his purse
For to make you amends I brought home his horse"

Oh the farmer he laughed whilst his two sides he hold
"That's for a boy you was very bold
And as for that villain you served him right
And your name shall shine truly through Yorkshire bright"

In the pocket of the saddle was there to be found
The gold and the silver of five thousand pound
Says the farmer to the boy, "I must tell you clear
Three parts of the money you shall have for your share"

"I will give you my youngest daughter to be your sweet wife
Take her and live happy all the days of your life
And my youngest daughter to be your sweet wife
Take her and live happy all the days of your life"

Child #283
Laws L1
from Newfoundland
@outlaw
filename[ CRAFTYBY
SOF
mudcat.org

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