Lyr. Add: THE STREAMS OF LOVELY NANCY

1
O the streams of lovely Nancy divided in three parts,
Where young men and maidens do meet their sweethearts
For drinking good liquor makes my heart to sing,
And the noise in the valleys makes the rocks for to ring.
2
Upon yonder high mountain a castle does stand,
It is built up with ivory nigh to yon back strand,
It is built up with ivory and diamonds so bright,
It's a pilot for sailors on a dark winter's night.
3
Upon younder high mountain where wild fowls do fly,
There is one amongst them that flies very high,
If I had her on my *galligan or all night on the strand,
O how soon I would tame her by the sl[e]ight of my hand.
4
We got the rout on Sunday, on Monday march'd away,
Where drums loud did sound, boys, and fifes sweet did play.
Some hearts may be sorry for mine is full sad,
When I think on the pleasures my love and I had.
5
We march'd from Chester to Liverpool town,
Where there we spied girls, some fair and some brown;
But of all the fine lasses that e'er I did see,
At the sign of the angel lives the girl for me.
6
I'll go up to the captain, on my knees beg at large,
That fifty bright guineas might buy your discharge;
And if that won't do, love, I have twice as much more,
Dare you let me go with you, O no my love, no.
7
I'll go down to yon nunnery, and there end my life,
I never will be married, nor be made a wife,
So constant and true hearted for ever I'll remain,
And I'll never be married till my love comes again.

*galligan- loose breeches, i. e., had her on my lap.

Bodleian Collection, Harding B 28(29), c. 1820-1824.
W. Armstrong, Banastre-street.

Parts of this song appear in Appalachian versions of "Old Smoky," a complex to which several songs contribute. The tune is similar.
See thread 'On Top of Old Smoky,' 76295: Old Smoky