The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #23706   Message #267499
Posted By: Catrin
29-Jul-00 - 06:49 PM
Thread Name: Need Song about Tarts or Vicars
Subject: Lyr Add: THE MAID'S CONJURING BOOK
Can't find this in the DT

THE MAID'S CONJURING BOOK

A young man lately in our town,
He went to bed one night;
He had no sooner laid him down
But was troubled by a sprite.
So vigorously the spirit stood
Let him do what he can,
'Sure then,' he said, 'it must be laid
By woman not by man.'

A handsome maid did undertake
And into bed she leapt;
And to allay the spirit's power
Full close to him she crept.
She having such a guardian care
Her office to discharge,
She opened wide her conjuring book
And laid the leaves at large.

Her office she did well perform
Within a little space;
Then up she rose, and down he lay
And durst not show his face.
She took her leave and away she went
When she had done the deed,
Saying, 'If it chance to rise again
Then call for me with speed!'

Source; My Song is My Own by Kathy Henderson, Frankie Armstrong and Sandra Kerr.

"Typical of many early eighteenth century compositions which take a single witty idea to build a song round, this comes from 'Pills To Purge Melancholy" (1719). The tune, 'The Musical Lovers', was noted by Joshua Jackson in Harrogate at around the same time."