THE ORPHAN CHILD
Tune: Young Henry of the Raging Main

1
The night was dark, as I did ramble,
I heard a voice in sorrow pine,
O'er a mountain came a damsel,
As the abbey clock struck nine.
She was weeping, slowly creeping,
Down the valley that's so wild,
Wandering Mary, wet and weary,
In her arms an Orphan Child.
2
Along the road she slowly trod,
O hush, dear baby, she did say
This lonely road is our abode,
To wander until break of day.
Your father he is in the sea,
A prey unto the fishes wild,
Your mother's gone, for her I'll mourn,
And ne'er forsake her Orphan Child.
3
By chance a good old English farmer,
Overheard what she did say;
He declared that none should harm her,
To meet her he did go straightway.
Tears fell from his eyes in showers,
His honest heart with pity smiled,
Crying, come my dear you're welcome here
Likewise, your little Orphan Child.
4
'Twas then beneath the farmer's dwelling,
Conversation still went on,
Her hardships to them she was telling,
While this maid they gazed upon.
They listened to her with attention,
In each bosom pity boil'd,
Said they, beneath our happy mansion,
Welcome with your Orphan Child.
5
Time pass'd away from day to day,
Until the child became a man,
Then pity was his bosom's sway,
And honesty his nobler plan.
He pities those in tatter'd clothing,
And gives advice to those beguiled,
He sends relief to sooth the grief,
Of every wandering Orphan Child.

In "Wandering Mary," she has a child; in "The Orphan Child," the babe is not hers.

Several broadsides in the Bodleian Collection, used here are Harding B16(191d), J. Pitts London and Harding B16(995), J. Catnach, London; 1819-1844 and 1813-1838, resp. The song seems to have been popular; it was published over a period of time.