Lyr Req: Betsy the Serving Maid

15 Feb 04 - 07:13 PM (#1116597)
Subject: Lyr Req: Betsy the Serving Maid
From: Fi

Does anyone have the lyrics for the above - and of course any history of the song would also be most appreciated - It's an old trad Broadside but does anyone know from whence it originates? Thank you

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15 Feb 04 - 07:46 PM (#1116615)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Betsy the Serving Maid
From: The Borchester Echo

Peter Bellamy said he got this song from the singing of Harry Cox of Catfield, Norfolk, who claimed that it had been sung in his family for over 200 years. Certainly, it is a very old broadside as it predates the loss of the American colonies, after which Britain was forced to transport people to Australia. It has however been colllected elsewhere in southern England as well as in East Anglia.

I don't have the lyrics in my database but could transcribe them if no-one else beats me to it.

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15 Feb 04 - 08:12 PM (#1116626)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Betsy the Serving Maid
From: Malcolm Douglas

It's in the DT as The Grazier's Daughter, but that's a poor transcription made by ear -or memory- from a June Tabor record, full of mis-hearings, and with the traditional source unacknowledged. There is a proper transcription from tradition at  http://www.folkinfo.org/songs/displaysong.asp?SongID=225

Number 156 in the Roud Folk Song Index, and classified by Laws as Laws M20. Found in oral currency in America, Canada, Scotland and England.

It appeared on 19th century broadsides as The betrayed maiden; copies can be seen at  Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads:

The betrayed maiden

Roy Palmer Book of British Ballads, Llanerch 1998, 98-91) traces it to a 17th century broadside ballad in the Pepys collection, Love Overthrown. The Young Man's Misery; and the Maids Ruine; Being a true Relation, How a beautiful Herefordshire Damsel ... was, by her Mistress, sold to Virginia; and of the great Lamentation her Disconsolate Lover makes for Her. A transcription can be seen at the late Bruce Olson's website:

Love Overthrown. The Young Man's Misery.

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17 Feb 04 - 08:38 AM (#1117645)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE BETRAYED MAIDEN (from Bodleian)
From: Jim Dixon

From Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads Firth c.18(122)

THE BETRAYED MAIDEN

Pitts, printer, Toy and Marble Ware-
house, 6, Great st Andrew street 7 dials

[between 1819 and 1844]

Of a Brazier's daughter who lived near,
A pretty story you shall hear,
And she would up to London go,
To seek a service you shall know.

Her master had one only son,
Sweet Betsy's heart was fairly won,
For Betsy being so very fair
She drew his heart in a fatal snare.

On Sunday night he took his time,
Unto sweet Betsy he told his mind.
Swearing by all the powers above,
'Tis you sweet Betsy 'tis you I love.

His mother happening for to hear,
Which threw her in a fatal snare,
For soon she contrived sweet Betsy away,
For a slave in the province of Virginia.

Betsy Betsy pack up your [illegible],
For I must see what the country shew.
You must go with me for a day or two
Some of our relations there for to view.

They rode till they came to a sea town,
Where ships were sailing in the Downs.
Quickly a captain there was found,
Unto Virginia they were bound.

Both hired a boat alongside they went
Sweet Betsy rode in sad discontent,
For now sweet Betsy's upon the salt wave,
Sweet Betsy's gone for an arrant slave.

A few days after she returned again.
You are welcome mother says the son.
But where is Betsy tell me I pray
That she behind so long doth stay.

O son O son I plainly see,
How great your love is for pretty Betsy
Of all such thoughts you must refrain,
Since Betsy's sailing over the watery main.

We would rather see our son lie dead,
Than with a servant girl to wed,
His father spoke most scornfully
It will bring disgrace to our family

Four days after the son fell bad
No kind of music could make him glad
He sighed and slumbered and often cried
'Tis for you sweet Betsy for you I died

A few days after the son was dead.
They wrung their hands and shook each head,
Saying our son would but rise again
We would send for Betsy over the main.

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