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Page1
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
Thanks to all those who contributed
First Edition 1999
Page2
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
Agincourt Carol ...................................................
4
Alison Gross
......................................................... 5
All Around My Hat ............................................... 6
Weary Cutters
....................................................... 6
Black Jack Davey ................................................. 7
Cam Ye O'er Frae France .................................... 8
Demon Lover ........................................................
9
Dogs and Ferrets ................................................ 10
Elf Call
................................................................11
Galtee Farmer ....................................................
12
Harvest of the Moon ........................................... 13
My Johnny Was a Shoemaker ............................. 14
Little Sir Hugh ....................................................
15
Long Lankin ........................................................
16
The Boar's Head Carol ....................................... 17
The Brisk Butcher ............................................... 18
The Cutty Wren ...................................................
19
The Elf Knight ....................................................
20
The Old Maid in the Garret ................................ 22
The Prickly Bush ................................................ 23
Thomas the Rhymer ............................................ 24
Twa Corbies ........................................................
25
Underneath Her Apron ....................................... 26
I Gave Her Cakes and Ale .................................. 27
Taking His Beer With Old Anacharsis ................ 27
Fye Nay Prithee John ......................................... 27
Cold and Raw .....................................................
28
The Miller's Daughter ........................................ 29
Will Said to His Mammy ..................................... 29
The Old Fumbler ................................................ 30
Page3
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
Celia Learning on the Spinnet ............................ 30
Tom the Taylor ....................................................
30
My Lady's Coachman John ................................. 30
Walking in a Meadowe Greene ........................... 31
The Irish Jigg or The Night Ramble ................... 32
Come Sirrah Jacke Hoe ...................................... 32
Battle of the Dyle – The Truth! ........................... 33
Most Men Do Love The Spanish Wine ................ 34
My Lady and Her Maid ...................................... 34
As Roger Last Night ........................................... 34
Tis Women Makes Us Love ................................. 34
Sir Walter
............................................................ 34
Queen Jane .........................................................
35
Fighting For the Crown ..................................... 37
Spotted Cow ........................................................
38
Rosebud in June ................................................. 39
Sheep Crook and Black Dog ............................... 40
King Henry .........................................................
41
Saucy Sailor
........................................................ 42
Royal Forester ....................................................
43
John Barleycorn ................................................. 44
Happy Girls From Casa Gata ............................ 45
My Thing Is My Own .......................................... 46
The Four Marys .................................................. 47
The Herald's Lament aka A Wail of Toe .............. 48
Jabir The Saracen Seneschal .............................. 49
Royal Rumours ................................................... 49
Page4
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Agincourt Carol / La Route Au Beziers
(Anon )
Owre kynge went forth to Normandy,
With grace and myyt of chivalry;
The God for hym wrouyt marvelously,
Wherefore Englonde may calle, and cry
Chorus: Deo gratias
Deo gratias Anglia redde pro victoria.
He sette a sege, the sothe for to say,
To Harflue toune with ryal aray;
That toune he wan, and made a fray,
That Fraunce shall rywe tyl domes day.
Chorus
Then went owre kynge, with alle his oste,
Thorowe Fraunce for all the Frenshe boste;
He spared 'for' drede of leste, ne most,
Tyl he come to Agincourt coste.
Chorus
Than for sothe that knyyt comely
In Agincourt feld he fauyt manly
Thorow grace of God most myyty
He had bothe the felde, and the victory
Chorus
Ther dukys, and erlys, lorde and barone,
Were take, and slayne, and that wel sone,
And some were ledde in to Lundone
With joye, and merthe, and grete renone
Chorus
Noe gratious God he save owre kynge,
His peple, and all his wel wyllynge,
Gef him gode lyfe, and gode endynge,
That we with merth mowe savely syng
Chorus
The song celebrates the victory of King Henry V over the Agincourt
1415 which gave England for the first time the
upper hand in the War Of Hundred Years. Henry V had neither "good
life" nor "good ending" and his early death in
1422 and the subsequent defeat in France started the War Of The
Roses.
Page5
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Alison Gross (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album "best of
Steeleye Span")
Alison Gross that lives in yon tower
The ugliest witch in the North Country
Has trysted me one day up to her bower
And many a fair speech she made to me
She stroked my head and she combed my hair
She set me down softly on her knee
Saying if you will be my lover so true
So many good things I would give to you
Away, away, you ugly witch
Go far away and let me be
I never will be your lover so true
And wish I were out of your communy
Chorus:
Alison Gross she must be
The ugliest witch in the North Country
Alison Gross she must be
The ugliest witch in the North Country
She showed me a mantle of red scarlet
With golden flowers and fringes fine
Saying if you will be my lover so true
This goodly gift it shall be thine
She showed me a shirt of the softest silk
Well wrought with pearls abound the band
Saying if you will be my lover so true
This goodly gift you shall command
Chorus
She showed me a cup of the good red gold
Well set with jewels so fair to see
Saying if you will be my lover so true
This goodly gift I will give to thee
Away, away, you ugly witch
Go far away and let me be
I never would kiss your ugly mouth
For all of the gifts that you could give
Chorus
She turned her right and round about
And thrice she blew on a grass-green horn
She swore by the moon and the stars of above
That she'd make me rue the day I was born
The out she has taken a silver wand
She's turned her three times round and round
She muttered such words till my strength it did fail
And she's turned me into an ugly worm
Page6
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
All Around My Hat (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album "best
of Steeleye Span")
Chorus:
All around my hat I will wear the green willow
All around my hat for a twelve-month and a day
And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearing it
It's all for my true love who's far far away
Fare thee well cold winter and fare thee well cold frost
Nothing have I gained but my own true love I've lost
I'll sing and I'll be merry when occasion I do see
He's a false deluding young man, let him go farewell he
The other night he brought me a fine diamond ring
But he thought to have deprived me of a far better thing
But I being careful like lovers ought to be
He's a false deluding young man, let him go farewell he
Chorus
Here's a half a pound of reasons, and a quarter pound of sense
A small sprig of time and as much of prudence
You mix them all together and you will plainly see
He's a false deluding young man, let him go farewell he
Chorus
Weary Cutters (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album
"Commoners Crown")
O the weary cutters and O the weary sea
O the weary cutters have taken my laddie from me
They've pressed him far away foreign
With Nelson beyond the salt sea
O the lousy cutters and O the weary sea
O the lousy cutters have stolen my laddie from me
They always come in the night
They never come in the day
They come at night and steal the laddies away
O the weary cutters and O the weary sea
O the weary cutters have taken my laddie from me
I'll give the cutter a guinea
I'll give the cutter no more
I'll give him a guinea to steal my laddie ashore
Page7
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Black Jack Davy (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album "best
of Steeleye Span")
Late last night when the squire came home
Enquiring for his lady
Some denied and some replied
She's gone with the Black Jack Davy
Go saddle to me the bonny brown steed
For the grey was never so speedy
I'll ride all day and I'll ride all night
Till I catch that Black Jack Davy
Chorus:
He rode up hills and he rode down dales
Over many a wild high mountain
And they did say that saw him go
Black Jack Davy he is hunting
He rode east and he rode west
All in the morning early
Until he spied his lady fair
Cold and wet and weary
Why did you leave your house and land
Why did you leave your baby
Why did you leave your own wedded lord
To go with the Black Jack Davy
Chorus
What care I for your goose feather bed
With the sheets turned down so bravely
Well I may sleep on the cold hard ground
Along with the Black Jack Davy
Then I'll kick off my high healed shoes
Made of the Spanish leather
And I'll put on my lowland brogues
And skip it o'er the heather
Chorus
Page8
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Cam Ye O'er Frae France (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album
"best of Steeleye Span")
Cam ye o'er frae France? Cam ye down by Lunnon?
Saw ye Geordie Whelps and his bonny woman?
Were ye at the place ca'd the Kittle Housie?
Saw ye Geordie's grace riding on a goosie?
Geordie he's a man there is little doubt o't;
He's done a' he can, wha can do without it?
Down there came a blade linkin' like my lordie;
He wad drive a trade at the loom o' Geordie.
Though the claith were bad, blythly may we niffer;
Gin we get a wab, it makes little differ.
We hae tint our plaid, bannet, belt and swordie,
Ha's and mailins braid -- but we hae a Geordie!
Jocky's gane to France, and Montgomery's lady;
There they'll learn to dance: Madame, are ye ready?
They'll be back belyue belted, brisk and lordly;
Brawly may they thrive to dance a jig wi' Geordie!
Hey for Sandy Don! Hey for Cockolorum!
Hey for Bobbing John and his Highland Quorum!
Mony a sword and lance swings at Highland hurdie;
How they'll skip and dance o'er the bum o' Geordie!
George I, being a protestant German king, was viewed with ridicule
and hatred by the Jacobite rebels. This is a
scurrilous attack upon him and his court.
Note: When George I imported his seraglio of impoverished
gentlewomen from Germany, he provided the Jacobite
songwriters with material for some of their most ribald verses.
Madame Kilmansegge, Countess of Platen, is
referred to exclusively as "The Sow" in the songs, while the King's
favorite mistress, the lean and haggard Madame
Schulemburg (afterwards named Duchess of Kendall) was given the name
of "The Goose". She is the
"goosie" referred to in this song. The "blade" is the Count
Koningsmark. "Bobbing John" refers to John, Earl of
Mar, who was at the time recruiting Highlanders for the Hanoverian
cause. "Geordie Whelps" is, of course,
George I himself. (MJ)
(belyve=quickly; blade=a person of weak, soft constitution from
rapid overgrowth; braid=broad; brawly=wall;
claith=cloth; gane=gone; gin=if, whether; ha's and mailins=houses
and farmlands; hurdie=buttock; kittle housie=
brothel; linkin=tripping along; Lunnon=London; niffer=haggle or
exchange; tint=lost; wab=web (or length) of
cloth)
[Folk Songs and Ballads of Scotland]
Page9
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Demon Lover (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album "Commoners
Crown")
Where have you been my long lost love
This seven long years and more
Seeking gold for thee my love
And riches of great store
I might have married a king's daughter
Far far beyond the sea
But I refused the golden crown
All for the love of thee
What have you to keep me with
If I with you should go
If I forsake my husband dear
And my young son also
Chorus:
I'll show you where the white lilies grow
On the banks of Italy
I'll show you where the white fishes swim
At the bottom of the sea
Seven ships all on the sea
The eighth brought me to land
With four and twenty mariners
And music on every hand
She set her foot upon the ship
No mariners could behold
The sails were of the shining silk
The masts of beaten gold
Chorus
Oh what are you high hills
The sun shines sweetly in
Those are the hills of heaven my love
Where you will never win
Chorus
What is that mountain yonder there
Where evil winds do blow
Yonder's the mountain of hell he cried
Where you and I must go
He took her up to the top mast high
To see what he could see
He sunk the ship in a flash of fire
To the bottom of the sea
Page10
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Dogs And Ferrets (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album
"Commoners Crown")
Chorus:
I keep my dogs and I keep my ferrets
I have them in my keeping
To catch those hares that run by night
While the game keepers lie sleeping
My dogs and I went out on a cold night
For to view the habitation
Up jumped a hare and away she did ran
Straight into a plantation
Chorus
She had not gone a long way in
When something caught her running
So loudly then I heard her cry
For she knew the dogs were coming
Chorus
I took my knife all in my hand
So quickly for to paunch her
She was one of the female kind
How glad I was I'd caught her
Chorus
Then I'll go down to some ale house near
And I'll drink that hare quite mellow
I'll spend a crown and a merry crown too
And say "I'm a right good fellow"
Page11
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Elf Call (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album "Commoners
Crown")
I heard a bonny cow low, cow low, cow low
I heard a bonny cow low over the lea
And it was an elf-call, elf-call, elf-call
And it was an elf-call, calling unto me
And the little elf-call, elf-call, elf-call
And the little elf-call said unto me
Chorus:
Come and nurse an elf child, elf child, elf child
Come and nurse an elf child down beneath the sea
Come and nurse an elf child, elf child, elf child
Come and nurse an elf child down beneath the sea
What do you moan for, moan for, moan for
What do you moan for the elf king said to me
I'm moaning for my own child, own child, own child
I'm moaning for my own child, far across the sea
Then the little elf-king, elf-king, elf-king
Then the little elf-king said unto me
Chorus
Page12
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Galtee Farmer (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album
"Commoners Crown")
Oh there was an old Galtee farmer and he had an old Galtee mare
He brought her to Enniscorthy boys to sell her at the fair
Said the son all to the father "I'll do the best I can
The price of her is twenty guineas but look I'll take one pound"
Up comes a Dublin buyer for to bid I am inclined
The price of her is twenty guineas but look I'll give one pound
So quickly then he paid for here before time look around
And he went into a stable and he pulled her in behind
Put a saddle and a bridle and a jockey all on her back
You would swear she was a racer after coming off the track
Says the son all to the father "There's a mare for sale close by
She looks so bright and handsome and enticing to my eye"
She looks so bright and handsome and the jockey turned around
Said the price of her is fifty guineas but look I'll take five
pounds
Says the son all to the father now be quick and make up your mind
The price of her is fifty guineas but look he'll take five pounds
So quickly then they paid for her and away from the fair they went
And as they jogged along the road they were both well content
When they came to the little cottage at the bottom of the lane
Who should run to meet them but the little daughter Jane
"Mamma, mamma here comes the lads, but the mare they did not sell
But they've hogged her mane and docked her tail but you'd know her
old jog well"
"Oh what did you get that mare clipped for she looks so thin and old
What did you get that mare clipped for she'll surely catch a cold
I'll sit down at the table and I'll let my temper cool
I've been married to you these forty years and you're only a born
fool"
Page13
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Harvest Of The Moon (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album
"Time")
Written by Peter Knight
All the husbands and the wives
We were dancing for our lives
All to the tune of Elsie Marley
Instead of gathering up our differences
And throwing them in the air
And giving them to the wind that shakes the barley
And the children they were watching
Every girl and every boy
As we danced to the tune of Elsie Marley
But they'd heard another tune
From the harvest of the moon
That rides upon the wind that shakes the barley
The Bridget she declared
That she was not prepared
To watch us dance to the tune of Elsie Marley
She said I'll sing you all a song
And you'll want to sing along
If you listen to the wind that shakes the barley
And the song that she sang
Could be heard for miles around
The air was full of harmony
You should have heard the sound
As we gathered up our differences
And threw them in the air
And gave them to the wind that shakes the barley
All the husbands and the wives
We were dancing for our lives
All to the tune of Elsie Marley
Until we gathered up our differences
And threw them in the air
And gave them to the wind that shakes the barley
Then all of us declared
That we were not prepared
To dance our lives away with Elsie Marley
For we'd heard another tune
From the harvest of the moon
That rides upon the wind that shakes the barley
And the song that we sang
Could be heard for miles around
The air was full of harmony
You should have heard the sound
As we gathered up our differences
And threw them in the air
And gave them to the wind that shakes the barley
Page14
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
My Johnny Was A Shoemaker (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span
Album "The Very Best of Steeleye Span")
My Johnny was a shoemaker and dearly he loved me
My Johnny was a shoemaker but now he's gone to sea
With pitch and tar to soil his hands
And to sail across the sea, stormy sea
And sail across the stormy sea
His jacket was a deep sky blue and curly was his hair
His jacket was a deep sky blue, it was, I do declare
For to reive the topsails up against the mast
And to sail across the sea, stormy sea
And sail across the stormy sea
Some day he'll be a captain bold with a brave and a gallant crew
Some day he'll be a captain bold with a sword and spyglass too
And when he has a gallant captain's sword
He'll come home and marry me, marry me
He'll come home and marry me
This version, taken from Colm O'Locklainn's excellent `Irish Street
Ballads (Vol. II)' is only one of several, the
song having attained wide currency in both Britain and Ireland, even
turning up in a Welsh version in 4/2 time.
The word `reive' in the second verse, not to be confused with
`reef', means to draw cord through eyelet holes; implying
perhaps that Johnny will be doing a new kind of sewing. Hutchings:
``I don't think we planned to do this accappella,
it just happened.''
Page15
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Little Sir Hugh (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album
"Commoners Crown")
Chorus:
Mother mother make my bed
Make for me a winding sheet
Wrap me up in a cloak of gold
See if I can sleep
Four and twenty bonny bonny boys playing at the hall
Along came little Sir Hugh, he played with them all
He kicked the ball very high, he kicked the ball so low,
He kicked it over a castle wall where no one dared to go
Out came a lady gay, she was dressed in green
"Come in, come in little Sir Hugh, fetch your ball again"
"I won't come in, I can't come in without my play mates all
For if I should I know you would cause my blood to fall"
Chorus
She took him by the milk white hand, led him to the hall
Till they came to a stone chamber where no one could hear him call
She sat him on a golden chair, she gave him sugar sweet
She lay him on a dressing board and stabbed him like a sheep
Out came the thick thick blood, out came the thin
Out came the bonny heart's blood till there was none within
She took him by the yellow hair and also by the feet
She threw him in the old draw well fifty fathoms deep
Chorus
Page16
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Long Lankin (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album "best of
Steeleye Span")
Said the lord unto his lady as he rode over the moss
Beware of Long Lankin that lives amongst the gorse
Beware the moss, beware the moor, beware of Long Lankin
Be sure the doors are bolted well
Lest Lankin should creep in.
Said the lord unto his lady as he rode away
Beware of Long Lankin that lives amongst the hay
Beware the moss, beware the moor, beware of Long Lankin
Be sure the doors are bolted well
Lest Lankin should creep in.
"Where's the master of the house?" says Long Lankin
"He's way to London" says the nurse to him
"Where's the lady of the house?" says Long Lankin
"She's up in her chamber" says the nurse to him
"Where's the baby of the house?" says Long Lankin
"He's asleep in the cradle" says the nurse to him
"We will pinch him, we will prick him, we will stab him with a pin
And the nurse shall hold the basin for the blood all to run in"
So they pinched him, then they pricked him, then they stabbed him
with a pin
And the false nurse held the basin for the blood all to run in
"Lady come down the stairs" says Long Lankin
"How can I see in the dark"" she says unto him
"You have silver mantles" says Long Lankin
"Lady come down the stairs by the light of them
Down the stairs the lady came thinking no harm
Lankin he stood ready to catch her in his arms
There was blood all in the kitchen
There was blood all in the hall
There was blood all in the parlour
Where my lady she did fall
Now Long Lankin shall be hanged
From the gallows oh so high
And the false nurse shall be burned
In the fire close by
Note: Long Lankin is a legend from Northumbrian in northern England.
Lankin was either a stonemason or a famous
robber and desperado and lived at Nafferton Castle (also known as
Lonkins Hall). Lankin was involved in a
dispute with Lord Wearie of nearby Welton Hall, this reached a
bloody conclusion when Lankin, with the cooperation
of Lord Wearies grandchilds nurse, entered Welton Hall and murdered
the grandchild and Wearies daughter.
Lankin and the nurse escaped but were tracked down. Rather than be
captured, Lankin hanged himself from an
oak tree near Whittle Dene near the present reservoirs under Harlow
Hill. The nurse was burnt at the stake by
Lord Wearies men.
The places can be found around the current A69 road between
Newcastle and Hexham. Welton Hall has been
converted in a farmhouse. The ladys ghost is said to walk Welton
Hall. The oak tree is said to carry the outline of
a hanged man.
Page17
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
The Boar's Head Carol
Trad., possibly 16th century English
The boar's head in hand bear I
Bedecked with bay and rosemary;
So I pray you my masters be merry,
Quot estis in convivio. [So many as are in the feast]
Chorus:
Caput apri defero, [I bring the boar's head]
Reddens laudes Domino [Giving praises to God]
The boar's head as I understand
Is the rarest dish in all the land,
Which thus bedecked with a gay garland,
Let us servire cantico. [serve with a song]
Chorus
Our steward hath provided this
In honour of the King of bliss,
Which on this day to be served is
In Reginensis atrio. [In the Queen's hall]
Chorus
So central was the role of the wild boar's head in English feasts
that the species was extinct in England by the
end of the seventeenth century
Page18
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
The Brisk Butcher (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album "The
Very Best of Steeleye Span")
It's of a brisk young butcher as I have heard them say
He started out of London town all on a certain day
Says he ``A frolic I will have, my fortune for to try
I will go into Leicestershire some cattle for to buy''
When he arrived at Leicester town he came into an inn
He called for an hostler and boldly he walked in
He called for liquor of the best, he being a roving blade
And quickly fixed his eyes upon the lovely chambermaid
When she took up a candle to light him up to bed
And when she came into the room, these words to her he said:
``One sovereign I will give to you all to enjoy your charms''
And this fair maid all night to sleep all in the butcher's arms
'Twas early the next morning he prepared to go away
The landlord said ``Your reckoning, sir, you have forgot to pay''
``Oh no'', the butcher did reply ``pray do not think it strange
One sovereign I gave your maid and I haven't got the change''
They straight way called the chambermaid and charged her with the
same
The golden sovereign she laid down, prepared she'd get the blame
The butcher then went home, well pleased with what was passed
And soon this pretty chambermaid grew thick about the waist
'Twas in a twelve months after he came to town again
And then as he had done before he stopped at that same inn
'Twas then the buxom chambermaid she chanced him for to see
She brought a babe just three months old and placed him on his knee
The butcher sat like one amazed and at the child did stare
But when the joke he did find out, how he did stamp and swear
She said ``Kind sir, it is your own, pray do not think it strange
One sovereign you gave to me and here I've brought your change''
So come all you brisk and lively blades I pray be ruled by me
Look well into your bargains before your money pay
Or soon perhaps your folly will give you cause to range
If ever you sport with pretty maids be sure to get your change
By any standards, this butcher is a nasty sort of guy.
Page19
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
The Cutty Wren (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album "Time")
Traditional,
O where are you going? said Milder to Maulder
O we may not tell you said Festle to Foes
We're off to the woods said John the Red Nose
What will you do there? said Milder to Maulder
O we may not tell you said Festle to Foes
We'll hunt the Cutty Wren said John the Red Nose
How will you shoot her? said Milder to Maulder
O we may not tell you said Festle to Foes
With bows and with arrows said John the Red Nose
That will not do then said Milder to Maulder
O what will do then? said Festle to Foes
Big guns and big cannons said John the Red Nose
How will you bring her home? said Milder to Maulder
O we may not tell you said Festle to Foes
On four strong men's shoulders said John the Red Nose
That will not do then said Milder to Maulder
O what will do then? said Festle to Foes
Big carts and big waggons said John the Red Nose
How will you cut her up? said Milder to Maulder
O we may not tell you said Festle to Foes
With knives and with forks said John the Red Nose
That will not do then said Milder to Maulder
O what will do then? said Festle to Foes
Big hatches and cleavers said John the Red Nose
Who'll get the spare ribs? said Milder to Maulder
O we may not tell you said Festle to Foes
We'll give them all to the poor said John the Red Nose
The wren is known as the King of the Birds, because there is a fable
in which a competition takes place to decide
which bird is supreme. It is decided that he that flies highest is
the monarch. The wren craftily hitches a ride on
the back of the eagle and wins.
Also the wren was sacred to the Druids and the custom of catching
and killing wrens at Christmas time would not
be incompatible with this history of reverence. It would be
protected all year and then ritually slain as a sacrifice at
the appropriate time. As with all possible remnants of ancient
religions, their meaning becomes obscured and
their enactment trivialized, and so this song until recently was
attached to the Christmas tradition of wassailing
and the demanding of monies.
Page20
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
The Elf-Knight (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album "Time")
Words traditional.
The elf-knight sits on yonder hill
Fine flowers in the valley
He blows his horn both loud and shrill
As the rose is blown
He blows it East, he blows it West
Fine flowers in the valley
He blows it where he liketh best
As the rose is blown
Lady Isabel sits a-sewing
Fine flowers in the valley
When she heard the elf-knight's horn a-blowing
As the rose is blown
`Would I had that horn a-blowing'
Fine flowers in the valley
`And yon elf-knight for to sleep in my bosom'
As the rose is blown
Scarcely had she these words spoken
Fine flowers in the valley
When in at the window the elf-knight's broken
As the rose is blown
`It's a very strange matter, fair maid' said he
Fine flowers in the valley
`I cannot blow my horn, but you call on me'
As the rose is blown
`But will you go to the greenwood side?"
Fine flowers in the valley
`If you will not go, I'll cause you to ride'
As the rose is blown
He leapt on his horse and she on another
Fine flowers in the valley
And they rode on to the greenwood together
As the rose is blown
`Light down, light down, Isabel' said he
Fine flowers in the valley
`For we're come to the place where you are to die'
As the rose is blown
`It's seven kings daughters, here have I slain'
Fine flowers in the valley
`And you shall be the eighth of them'
As the rose is blown
`Sit down a-while, lay your head on my knee'
Fine flowers in the valley
`That we may rest before I die'
Page21
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
As the rose is blown
She stroked him so fast the nearer he did creep
Fine flowers in the valley
And with a small charm, she's lulled him to sleep
As the rose is blown
With his own sword-belt, so fast she's bound him
Fine flowers in the valley
With his own dagger so sore she's stabbed him
As the rose is blown
`If seven kings daughters here have you slain'
Fine flowers in the valley
`Then lie you here, a husband to them all'
As the rose is blown
A simple but vivid story, this ballad evokes many powerful images -
a hazy afternoon in late June when the roses
are full blown - Lady Isabel sitting alone in a castle room, with a
shaft of sunlight playing on the tapestry that she
is weaving - somewhere out there, beyond this world and the `fields
we know', the elf-knight sits, arrogant, dark
and brooding. He blows his horn and enchants her - she breathes a
wish for him - in an instant he has broken
through the barrier - two worlds collide, reality and fantasy, good
and evil ...
Page22
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
The Old Maid In The Garrett (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span
Album "Time")
Traditional
Definitely to be taken with a large pint of salt, this is probably
the first (and last) time that this sung has been sung
by women!
I was told by my Aunt
I was told by my Mother
That going to a wedding
Is the making of another
Well if this be so
Then I'll go without a bidding
Oh kind Providence
Won't you send me to a wedding
Chorus:
And it's Oh dear me
How will it be
If I die an old maid
in a garret
Now there's my sister Jean
She's not handsome or good-looking
Scarcely sixteen
And a fellow she was courting
Now she's twenty-four
She's a son and a daughter
Here am I, forty-four
And I've never had an offer
Chorus
I can cook and I can sew
I can keep a house right tidy
Rise up in the morning
And get the breakfast ready
There's nothing in this wide world
That makes my heart so cheery
As a wee fat man
To call me his own deary
Chorus
Oh come landsman, come townsman
Come tinker or come tailor
Come fiddler, come dancer
Come ploughman or come sailor
Come rich man, come poor man
Come fool or come witty
Come any man at all
Won't you marry out of pity?
Chorus
Page23
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
The Prickly Bush (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album
"Time")
(or `The Maid Freed From The Gallows')
Words traditional.
Chorus:
Oh the prickly bush
It pricks my heart full sore
And if ever I'm out of the prickly bush
I'll never get in it any more.
Hangman, oh hangman
Hold your rope awhile
I think I see my father, over yonder stile
Father did you bring me gold of have you brought any fee
For to save my body from the cold clay ground
And my neck from the gallows tree?
No I didn't bring you gold nor have I brought any fee
But I have come to see you hung upon the gallows tree.
Hangman, oh hangman
Hold your rope awhile
I think I see my brother, over yonder stile
Brother did you bring me gold of have you brought any fee
For to save my body from the cold clay ground
And my neck from the gallows tree?
No I didn't bring you gold nor have I brought any fee
But I have come to see you hung upon the gallows tree.
Chorus
Hangman, oh hangman
Hold your rope awhile
I think I see my sister, over yonder stile
Sister did you bring me gold of have you brought any fee
For to save my body from the cold clay ground
And my neck from the gallows tree?
No I didn't bring you gold nor have I brought any fee
But I have come to see you hung upon the gallows tree.
Chorus
Hangman, oh hangman
Hold your rope awhile
I think I see my lover, over yonder stile
Lover did you bring me gold of have you brought any fee
For to save my body from the cold clay ground
And my neck from the gallows tree?
Yes I brought you gold, yes I brought you fee
But I've not come to see you hung upon the gallows tree.
Chorus
Page24
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Thomas The Rhymer (soundtrack available on Steeleye
Span Album "Time")
Long (LP) version
True Thomas sat on Huntley bank
And he beheld a lady gay
A lady that was brisk and bold
Come riding o'er the ferny brae
Her skirt was of the grass green silk,
Her mantle of the velvet fine
At every lock of her horse's mane
Hung fifty silver bells and nine
True Thomas, he pulled off his cap
And bowed him low down to his knee
`All hail, thou mighty Queen of Heaven
Your like on earth I ne'er did see.'
`No, no Thomas she said
That name does not belong to me
I am the queen of fair Elfland
And I have come to visit thee.'
`You must go with me Thomas she said,
True Thomas you must go with me
And must serve me seven years
Through well or woe, as chance may be.'
Chorus:
Hark and carp, come along with me,
Thomas the Rhymer
Hark and carp, come along with me,
Thomas the Rhymer
Hark and carp, come along with me,
Thomas the Rhymer
Hark and carp, come along with me,
Thomas the Rhymer
She turned about her milk white steed
And took Thomas up behind
And aye whenever her bridle rang
Her steed flew swifter than the wind
For forty days and forty nights
They rode through red blood to the knee
And they saw neither sun nor moon
But heard the roaring of the sea
And they rode on and further on
Further and swifter than the wind
Until they came to a desert wide
And living land was left behind
`Don't you see yon narrow, narrow road
So thick beset with thorns and briars?
That is the road to righteousness
Though after it but few enquire.'
`Don't you see yon broad, broad road
That lies across the lily leaven?
That is the road to wickedness
Though some call it the road to heaven.'
`Don't you see yon bonnie, bonnie road
That lies across the ferny brae?
That is the road to fair Elfland
Where you and I this night must go.'
Chorus
Short (Single) version
True Thomas sat on Huntley bank
And he beheld a lady gay
A lady that was brisk and bold
Come riding o'er the ferny brae
True Thomas, he pulled off his cap
And bowed him low down to his knee
`All hail, thou mighty Queen of Heaven
Your like on earth I ne'er did see.'
Chorus:
Hark and carp, come along with me,
Thomas the Rhymer
Hark and carp, come along with me,
Thomas the Rhymer
Hark and carp, come along with me,
Thomas the Rhymer
She turned about her milk white steed
And they rode faster than the wind
Until they came to a desert wide
And living land was left behind
For forty days and forty nights
They rode through red blood to their knee
And they saw neither sun nor moon
but heard the roaring of the sea
`Don't you see yon bonnie, bonnie road
That lies across the ferny brae?
That is the road to fair Elfland
Where you and I this night must go.'
Chorus
Child #37, Collected by Child and Scott.
Page25
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Twa Corbies (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album "Time")
As I was walking all alane
I heard twa corbies makin' mane
And one ontae the other did say
Where shall we gang and dine the day
Where shall we gang and dine the day
In behind yon oul fail dyke
I wot there lies a new slain knight
And naebody kens that he lies there
But his hawk and his hound and his lady fair
His hawk and his hound and his lady fair
His hawk is tae the hunting gane
His hound to fetch the wild fowl hane
His lady has taken another mate
So we can make our dinner sweet
We can make our dinner sweet
You can sit on his white breast bone
And I'll pick out his bonny blue e'en
And with a lock of his yellow hair
We'll theek our nest when it grows bare
We'll theek our nest when it grows bare
And many's a one for him makes mane
Naebody kens where he has gane
Through his white bones when they grow bare
The wind shall blow forever mare
The wind shall blow forever mare
(theek=feather our nest)
... otherwise known as the `Two Ravens', and sometimes called `The
Three Ravens'. First printed in Motherwell's
`Minstrelsy Of The Scottish Border' in 1803 it is one of the most
popular of the Scottish ballads. For those unused
to the dialect the two birds are discussing the pros and cons of
eating a newly slain knight. Hutchings: ``This goes
back to the 13th Century at least, and it was recorded at Tim's
suggestion.'' Why is it particular about a knight?
Why not a footsoldier? ``Songs that go back a long way are usually
about Lords and Ladies, possibly because
they were a great source of interest to the people, rich and poor.''
Page26
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Underneath Her Apron (soundtrack available on Steeleye Span Album
"Time")
Traditional,
A pretty young girl all in the month of May,
A-gathering rushes just at the break of day
And before she's come home she has born a little son,
And she's rolled him underneath her apron.
All in the first part of the night, when all were fast asleep,
This pretty little baby, oh, it began to weep.
`Oh what's that little babe that's a-crying out so clear
In the bedroom among the pretty maidens?'
`Oh father, dear father, it's nothing then,' said she.
`It's a little bird that my sister gave to me
And I'll build for it a nest, and I'll warm it on my breast
So that it won't wake you early in the May morning.'
All in the last part of the night, when they were fast asleep,
This pretty little baby, again, began to weep.
`Oh what's that little babe that's crying out so clear
In the bedroom among the pretty maidens?'
`Oh father, dear father, it's nothing then,' said she.
`It's just a little baby that someone gave to me
Let it lie, let it sleep this night along o' me
And I tell to you its daddy in the May morning.'
`Oh, was it by a black man or was it by a brown,
Or was it by a ploughing boy that's ploughing up and down,
That gave to you the stranger you wear with your new gown,
That you've rolled up underneath your apron?'
`It wasn't by a black man and it wasn't by a brown
But it was by a sailor lad that ploughs the watery main
And 't was him gave me the stranger that I wear with my new gown
That I've rolled up underneath my apron.'
`Oh, was it in the kitchen got or was it in the hall?
Or was it in the cow-shed or up against the wall?
I wish I had a firebrand to burn the building down
Where you met with him on a May morning.'
`It wasn't in the kitchen got, it wasn't in the hall.
It wasn't in the cow-shed nor up against the wall?
It was down by yonder spring where them pretty birds do sing
That I met with him on a May morning.'
A fifteen year old girl woke her mother at 4 o'clock in the morning
with the words `I think I'm going to have a baby,
now.' This happened to my personal knowledge within the last ten
years. And she shared her room with her sister.
She just used a baggy sweater rather than an apron to hide her
predicament.
Page27
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
I Gave Her Cakes and I Gave Her Ale (soundtrack available on The
Baltimore Consort Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
I gave her cakes and I gave her Ale,
And I gave her Sack* and Sherry,
I kist her once and I kist her twice,
And we were wond'rous merry
I gave her Beads and bracelets fine,
And I gave her Gold down derry,
I thought she was afear'd till she stoak'd my Beard,
And we were wond'rous merry.
Merry my hearts, merry my Cocks, merry my sprights,
Merry merry merry hey down derry,
I kist her once and I kist her twice,
And we were wond'rous merry.
*Sack is white wine imported from Spain
Taking His Beer with Old Anacharsis (soundtrack available on The
Baltimore Consort Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
Taking his Beer with old Anacharsis,
Quoth surly Swashbuckler "yr Wife Sir mine Arse is,"
"Vous avez" quoth Sage, "She's a homely brown Lass,
But after a bumper or two she may pass:"
Th'advice was so right
It converted Sir Knight,
Who all his life after drank Saturday Night.
A chiding Catch
Fye, nay, prithee John (soundtrack available on The Baltimore
Consort Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
Fye, nay, prithee John,
Do not quarrel man,
Let's be merry and drink about.
You're a rogue, you've cheated me,
I'll prove before this Company,
I caren't a Farthing Sir for all you are so stout.
Sir you lye, I scron your word,
Or any man who wears a sword,
For all your huff who cares a turd, or who cares for you.
Page28
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Cold and Raw (soundtrack available on The Baltimore Consort Album
"The Art of Bawdy Song")
The Northern Ditty; or The Scotch-man Out-witted br the Country
Damsel. To an Excellent New Scotch Tune, of
Cold and Raw the North did blow. A song much in request at Court.
Cold and Raw the North did blow, bleak in a morning early;
All the trees were hid with snow, cover'd with winter fearly:
As I came riding o'er the slouh, I met with a Farmer's Daughter;
Rosie chheks, and bonny brow, geud faith, made my mouth to water.
Down I vail'd my bonnet low, meaing to show my breeding,
She return'd a graceful bow, her visage far exceeding:
I ask'd her where she went so soon, and long'd to begin a parley:
She told me to the next market town, a prupose to sell her Barley.
"In this purse, sweet soul!" said I "twenty pounds lies fairly,
Seek no farther one to buy, for I'se take al thy Barley:
Twenty more shall purchase delight, thy person I love so dearly,
If thou wilt lig by me all night, and gang home in the morning
early."
"If forty pounds would buy the Globe, this thing I's not do, Sir;
Or were my friends poor as Job, I'd never raise'em so, Sir:
For should you prove to-night my friend, we'se get a young kid
together,
And you'd be gone e'r nine months end, & where shall I find the
father?"
"Pray what would my parents say, if I should be so silly,
To give my maidenhead away, and I lose my true love Billy?
Oh this woud bring me to disgrace, and therefore I say to you nay,
Sir;
And if you would me embrace, first marry, & then you may, Sir!"
I told her I had wedded been, fourteen years and longer,
Else I'd chuse her for my Queen, and tye the knot yet stronger.
She bid me then no farther roame, but manage my wedlock fairly,
And keep my purse for poor Spouse at home, for some other should
have her barley.
Then as swift as any roe, she rode away and left me;
After her I could not go, of joy she quite bereft me:
Thus I my self did disappoint, for she did leave me fairly,
My words knock'd all things out of joint, I lost both the maid & the
barley.
Page29
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
The Miller's Daughter (soundtrack available on The Baltimore Consort
Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
The Miller's Daughter riding to the Fair,
Without a saddle upon a scurvy Mare,
Cry'd, "Oh Mother I'm quite undone,
I'm all o'er grown with Hair."
"Away you filly Daughter, tis ev'ry she's concern,
And if you won't believe me,
Look here and you may learn."
Then taking her aside,
She made matters plain.
"O mother, you're ten times worse,
Why sure you rid upon the Main."
Will Said to His Mammy (soundtrack available on The Baltimore
Consort Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
Will Said to His Mammy
That hee woulde goe woo,
Faine would he wed but he wot not who.
"Soft a while my lammy
Stay, and yet abide."
Hee like a foole as he was replide:
"In faith chil have a wife, a wife, a wife.
O what a life do I leade
For a wife in my bed
I may not tell you,
O there to have a wife, a wife, a wife,
O tis a racke to my backe
And to my belly."
Scarcely was he wedded,
But a fortnights space,
But that he was in a heavie case.
Largely was he headed,
And his cheekes lookt thinne:
And to repent he did thus beginne:
"A figge for such a wife, a wife, a wife,
O what a life do I leade…."
All you that are Batchelers,
Be learnd by crying Will,
When you are well to remaine so still,
Better for to tarry
And alone to lie
Than like a foole with a foole to crie:
A figge for such a wife, a wife, a wife
O what a life do I leade…..
Page30
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
The Old Fumbler (soundtrack available on The Baltimore Consort Album
"The Art of Bawdy Song")
Smug, rich and fantastic old Fumbler was known,
That wedded a Juicy brisk Gril of the Town;
Her face like an angel, fair, plump, and a maid,
Her lute well in tune too, cou'd he but have plaid:
But lost was his skill, let him do what he can,
She finds him in bed a weak silly old man,
He coughs in her ear, tis in vain to come on.
Forgive me my dear I'm a silly old man.
She laid his dry hand on her snowy soft breast,
And from those white hills gave a glimpse of the best.
But, ah, what is age when our youth's but a span
She found him an infant instead of a man.
Ah, pardon he'd cry that I'm weary so soon
You have let down my base, I'm no longer in tune
Lay by the dear instrument, prithee lie still
I can play but one lesson, and that I play ill.
Celia Learning on the Spinnet (soundtrack available on The Baltimore
Consort Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
When Celia was learning on the Spinnet to play
Her tutor stood by her to show her the way
She shook not the note which anger'd him much
And made him cry zounds tis a long prick
A long prick'd note you touch
Supriz'd was the lady to hear him complain
And said I will shake it when I come to't again.
Tom the Taylor (soundtrack available on The Baltimore Consort Album
"The Art of Bawdy Song")
Tom making a mantua for a lass of pleasure
Pull'd out his long and lawful measure
But quickly found tho' woundly streight lac'd sir
Nine inches would not half surround her waist sir.
Three inches more at length brisk Tom advances
Yet all too short to reach her swinging hanches
My Lady's Coachman, John (soundtrack available on The Baltimore
Consort Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
My lady's coachman, John, be'ng married to her maid
Her ladyship did hear on't and to him thus she said
"I never had a wench so handsom in my life
Prithee therefore tell me how you got such a wife."
John star'd her in the face and answer'd very blunt,
"E'en as my lord got you!" "How's that?"
"Why but the cunt"
Page31
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Walking in a Meadowe Greene (soundtrack available on The Baltimore
Consort Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
Walking in a meadowe greene, fayre flowers for to gather,
Where primrose rankes did stand on bankes to welcome comers thither
I heard a voice which made a noise which caused me to attend it.
I heard a lass say to a lad "once more and none can mend it"
They lay soe close together the made me much to wonder
I knew not which was wether until I saw her under.
Then off he came and blusht for shame so soon that he had endit
Yet still she lies and to him cries "Once more and none can mend
it!"
His looks were dull and very sad, his courage she had tamed.
She bad him play the lusty lad, or else he quite was shamed.
Then stiffly thrust he hit me just, fear not but freely spend it.
And play about at in and out, once more and none can mend it
And then he thought to venter her, thinking the fit was on him
But when he came to enter her the poynt turned back upon him
Yet she said "stay, go not away although the poynt be bended"
"But to't again and hit the vein once more and none can mend it!"
Then in her arms she did him fold and often times she kist him
Yet still his courage was but cold, for all the good she wisht him
Yet with her hand she made it stand so stiff she could not bend it.
And then anon she cries "Come on! Once more and none can mend it"
"Adieu, adieu, sweetheart quoth he, for in faith I must be gone"
"Nay then you do me wrong quoth she, to leave me thus alone"
Away he went when all was spent whereat she was offended
Like a trojan true she made a vow she would have one should mend it.
Page32
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
The Irish Jigg or The Night Ramble (soundtrack available on The
Baltimore Consort Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
One night in my ramble I chanc'd to see
A thing like a spirit in frightened me.
cock'd up my hat and resolv'd to look big
And streight fell a turning the Irish jigg
The devil drew nearer and nearer in short
I found it was one of the petticoat sort
My fears being over I car'd not a figg
But still I kept turning the Irish Jigg
And then I went to her resolving to try her
I put her agog of a longing desire
I told her I'd give her a whip for her gig
And a scourge to the tune of the Irish Jigg
Then nothing but dancing our fancy could please
We lay on the grass and we danc'd at our ease
I down'd with my breeches and off with my whigg
And fell a dancing the Irish Jigg
I thank you kind sir for your kindness said she
The scholar's as wise as the master can be
For if you should chance to get me with kid
I'll lay the poor brat to the Irish Jigg
The dance being ended as you may see
We rose by consent and we both went away
I put on my clothes and left her to grow big
And so I went roaring the Irish Jigg
Come Sirrah Jacke, Hoe (soundtrack available on The Baltimore
Consort Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
Come sirrah Jacke, hoe,
Fill some tobacco
Bring a wire and some fire
Hast, hast away, quick I say, do not stay, shun delay,
For I drank none good today
I swear that this tobacco it's perfect Trinidado
By the very very mass never never never was
Better gear than is here by the roode for the bloud
It is very very good, tis very good
Fill the pipe once more
My brains daunce trenchmore
It is heady, I am giddy,
My head and braines, back and raines, joints and vaines, from all
pains
It doth well purge and make clean
Then those that doe condemne it, or such as not commend it
Never were so wise to learne, good tobacco to discerne
Let them go, pluck a crow, and not know as I do
The sweet of Trinidado
Page33
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Battle of the Dyle – the truth!
We came in ships on the ice clad sea
We colonized unceasingly
We of the north came to Luther's land
To take it from the Christians to civilized hands
Chorus:
Pitch your tent by the river side
Take your gold and be ready to ride
For we Northmen covered in blood will come
And we'll take your gold and make our home
To the river came an army of the East Frank's King
To cause some evil and war to bring
But we heros on the marshes took them by surprise
Burned the dirty villages and saved their wives
The enemy came together for their Baptist's Birth
And ponced around, the cause of great mirth
They lowered their banners and gave us gold
True to the style of the English of old
The enemy had scouts and their scouts could run
They scurried for their camps every Christian one
Their general, like a rabbit, brought silver here
Straight to the heart of our captured lair.
But then, in treachery, his army did ride
But we advanced on them and threw them aside
Slaughtered all the prisoners but kept their wives
And settled down to lead more peaceful lives
But Arnulf, King of the East Franks came
He'd heard of his army's loss and shame
He plotted to avenge the honourless band
He paid us tribute with his own right hand
He gathered an army at the river Dyle
We heros were stationed in our usual style
He came in the night like a lowly dog
And attacked in the early morning's fog
The King called to God on his heavenly throne
And prayed that he make his divine will known
With banner well hidden he leapt from his horse
He led from behind against the honoured Norse
The King left his army and skulked away
We of the North then won the day
The lowly dogs fell to righteous might
They fought and died in the dawn's pale light
Written by Lord Odd Armstrong – 9th day of August, AS XXXIII.
Page34
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Most Men do Love the Spanish Wine (soundtrack available on The
Baltimore Consort Album "The Art of Bawdy
Song")
Most Men do Love the Spanish Wine
For that will make their brains more fine
Call sack o cum sugaro
Ta-na-na-na-no, Ta-na-na-na-no,
Ta-na-na-na-na-na-no.
But give me my plain dealing drink
Twill make one speak what he doth think
That old Ale nutmeg et gingero
Ta-na-na-na-no, Ta-na-na-na-no,
Ta-na-na-na-na-na-no.
My Lady and Her Maid (soundtrack available on The Baltimore Consort
Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
My Lady and Her Maid upon a merry pin
They made a match at farting who would the wager win
Joan lights three candles then and sets them bolt upright
With the first fart she blew the out, with the next she gave them
light
In comes my lady then, with all her might and main
And blew them out, and in and out, and in and out again.
As Roger Last Night (soundtrack available on The Baltimore Consort
Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
As Roger Last Night to Jenny lay close
He pull'd out his budget and gave her a dose
The tickling no sooner kind Jenny did find
But with laughing she purg'd both before and behind
"Pox take it" quoth Roger he must himself be beside
That gives pills against wind and gainst tide
Tis Women Makes Us Love (soundtrack available on The Baltimore
Consort
Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
Tis women makes us love
Tis love that makes us sad
Tis sadness makes us drink
And drinking makes us mad
Sir Walter (soundtrack available on The Baltimore Consort Album "The
Art of
Bawdy Song")
Sir Walter enjoying his damsel one night
He tickl'd and pleas'd her to so great a delight
That she cou'd not contain, t'wards the end of the matter
But in rapture cry'd out, "Oh, sweet Sir Walter,
Oh, sweet Sir Walter, Oh, sweet Sir Walter
Oh switter swatter, switter swatter,
switter swatter switter swatter switter swatter
Page35
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
.Queen Jane (soundtrack available on "Troubadore" by John Rolls)
Queen Jane lay labour for nine days or more
Till the ladies in waiting could stay no more
Chorus
With a folde rol de
a folde rol day
with a folde rol folde rol de
Good women, good women good women ye be
Please open my right side and find my baby
Chorus
Oh no said the women that never may be
We'll send for King Henry and hear what say he
Chorus
King Henry was sent for King Henry did come
What ails you my Lady your Eyes look so dim
Chorus
Henry dear henry do one thing for me
Please open my right side and find the baby
Chorus
Oh no said King Henry that I'll never do
If I lose England's flower I lose the branch too
Chorus
King Henry went Morning and so did his men
And so did the baby for Queen Jane died then
Chorus
How deep was the morning how black were the bands
How yellow the flambergs they held in their hands
Chorus
There was fiddling aye and dancing aye one the day the babe was born
But poor Queen Jane, they loved Queen Jane, Lay as cold as a stone
Chorus x 2 1st one softly 2nd louder
Page36
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
.QUEEN JANE (2)
Sung to the same tune – this one is a bit grislier.
Queen Jane lay in labour for six weeks and some more,
Her women grew weary and the midwife give o'er
O, women, kind women, as I know you to be;
Pray cut my side open and save my baby.
"O, no," said the women, "That never might be,
We'll send for King Henry in the hour of your need.
King Henry was sent for by horseback and speed
King Henry he come there in the hour of her need.
King Henry he come in and stood by her bed;
What ails my pretty flower, her eyes look so red.
O Henry, kind Henry, pray listen to me
Pray cut my side open and save my baby.
"O, no!" said King Henry, "That never might be!
I'd lose my pretty flower to save my baby."
Queen Jane she turned over and fell in a swound,
They cut her side open, her baby was found.
How black was the mourning, how yellow her bed,
How white the bright shroud Queen Jane was laid in.
Six followed after, six bore her along,
King Henry come after, his head hanging down.
King Henry he wept 'til his hands were wrung sore
Says, "The flower of England is blooming no more."
The baby was christened the very next day,
His mother's poor body lay moldering away.
From The Peggy Seeger Songbook
Child #170
Page37
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Fighting For The Crown
By Lady Valeria de Borgia
Sung to Castle on a Cloud
When you are fighting for the Crown
All of the crowd will gather round
Heralds shall call the names out loud
Of those who are fighting for the Crown
All of the fighters bring their toys
They like to play with other boys
They all will fight well for the crowd
When they are fighting for the Crown
There'a a Knight with his white belt
He's given you a lovely welt
You fought so well but he was too tough
He says "My Lord, I'll kill you well enough"
When the Crown Tourney's at an end
All of the fighters knees shall bend
And their Lady's in their gowns
Shall know who next will wear the Crown.
Page38
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
.SPOTTED COW (soundtrack available on the Steeleye Span Album "Below
the Salt")
Collected from the singing of Harry Cox of Norfolk.
One morning in the month of June
As from my cot' I strayed
Just at the dawning of the day
I met with a charming maid
Good morning to you, whither?' said I,
Good morning to you now
The maid replied 'kind sir' she cried,
I've lost my spotted cow'.
No longer weep, no longer mourn,
Your cow's not lost my dear,
I saw her down in yonder grove,
Come love and I'll show you where'.
'I must confess you're very kind,
I thank you sir,' she said,
'We will be sure her there to find,
Come sweetheart go with me'.
And in the grove they spent the day,
They thought it passed too soon,
At night they homeward bent their way,
While brightly shone the moon
If he should cross the flowery dale,
Or go to view the plough,
She comes and calls, You gentle swain,
I've lost my spotted cow.'
Page39
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
ROSEBUD IN JUNE (soundtrack available on the Steeleye Span Album
"Below the Salt")
From the Journals of the Folk-Song Society. Collected from William
King by Cecil Sharp in Somerset, 1904.
It's a rosebud in June and the violets in full bloom,
And the small birds are singing love songs on each spray.
We'll pipe and we'll sing love,
We'll dance in a ring love,
When each lad takes his lass
All on the green grass,
And it's oh to plough where the fat oxen graze low
And the lads' and the lasses do sheep shearing go.
When we have all sheared our jolly, jolly sheep,
What joy can he greater than to talk of their increase
Their flesh it is good, it's the best of all food,
And their wool it will cloth us and keep our backs from the cold
Here's the ewes and the lambs, here's the hogs and the rams,
And the fat wethers too they will make a fine show.
SHEEP-CROOK AND BLACK DOG (soundtrack available on the Steeleye Span
Album "Below the Salt")
Collected by Ewan McColl from Queen Caroline Hughes, a gipsy living,
at the time, in Dorset.
Here's my sheep - crook and my black dog,
I give it to you,
Here's my bag and my budget
I bit it adieu,
Here's my sheep - crook and my black dog
I leave them behind,
Fine laurel, fine floral,
You've proved all unkind
All to my dear Dinah these words I did say,
Tomorrow we'll be married love, tomorrow is the day,
Tis too soon dear Willy my age is too young,
One day to our wedding is one day too soon.
I'll go into service if the day ain't too late,
To wait on a fine lady it is my intent,
And when into service a year or two bound,
It's then we'll get married and both settle down.
A little time after a letter was wrote,
For to see if my dear Dinah had changed her mind,
But she wrote that she'd lived such a contrary life,
She said that she'd never be a young shepherds wife.
Page40
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
KING HENRY (soundtrack available on the Steeleye Span Album "Below
the Salt")
(Child 32) From 'The English and Scottish Popular Ballads' edited by
Francis James Child.
Let never a man a wooing wend
That lacketh things three,
A store of gold, an open heart,
And full of charity;
And this was seen of King Henry
Though he lay quite alone,
For he's taken him to a haunted hall
Seven miles from the town.
He's chased the deer now him before
and the doe down by the den
Till the fattest buck in all the flock
King Henry he has slain.
His huntsmen followed him to the hall
To make them burly cheer,
When loud the wind was heard to sound
And an earthquake rocked the floor.
And darkness covered all the hall
Where they sat at their meat,
The grey dogs, yowling, left their food
and crept to Henry's feet.
And louder howled the rising wind
And burst the fastened door,
And in there came grisly ghost
Stamping on the floor.
Her head hit the roof-tree of the house,
Her middle you could not span,
Each frightened huntsman fled the hail
And left the king alone,
Her teeth were like the tether stakes,
Her nose like club or mell,
And nothing less she seemed to be can a fiend that comes from hell.
Some meat, some meat you King Henry,
Some meat you give to me,
Go kill your horse you King Henry
And bring him here to me;
He's gone and slain his berry brown steed
Though it made his heart full sore,
For she's eaten up both skin and bone,
Left nothing but hide and hair.
More meat, more meat you King Henry,
More meat you give to me,
Go kill your grey-hounds King Henry
And bring them here to me;
And when he's slain his good grey-hounds,
It made his heart full sore,
She's eaten up both skin and hone,
Page41
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Left nothing but hide and hair.
More meat, more meat you King Henry
More meat you give to me,
Go fell your goss-hawks King Henry
And bring them here to me;
And when he's slain his gay goss-hawks,
It made his heart full sore,
She's eaten them up both skin and bone,
Left nothing but feathers bare.
Some drink, some drink now King Henry,
Some drink you give to me,
Oh you sew up your horse's hide
And bring in a drink to me,
And he's sewn up the bloody hide,
And a pipe of wine put in,
And she's drank it up all in one draught
Left never a drop therein.
A bed, a bed now King Henry,
A bed you'll make for me,
Oh you must pull the heather green
And make it soft for me;
And pulled as he the heather green
And made for her a bed,
And taken has he his gay mantle
And o'er it has spread.
Take off your clothes now King Henry
And lie down by my side,
Now swear, now swear you King Henry
To take me for your bride
Oh God forbid, says King Henry,
That ever the like betide,
That ever a fiend that comes from hell
Should stretch down by my side
When the night was gone and the day was come
And the sun shone through the hall
The fairest lady that ever was seen
Lay between him and the wall
I've met with many a gentle knight
That gave me such a fill
But never before with a courteous Knight
That gave me all my will.
Page42
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
SAUCY SAILOR (soundtrack available on the Steeleye Span Album "Below
the Salt")
From the Journals of the Folk-Song Society. Collected by George
Butterworth in Sussex
Come my own one, come my fair one,
Come now unto me,
Could you fancy a poor sailor lad
Who has just come from sea
You are ragged love, you are dirty love,
And your clothes smell much of tar,
So be gone you saucy sailor lad,
So be gone you Jack Tar.
If I am ragged love and I am dirty love,
And my clothes smell much of tar,
I have silver in my pocket love
And gold in great store.
And then when she heard him say so
On her bended knees she fell,
I will marry my dear Henry
For I love a sailor lad so well.
Do you think that I am foolish love,
Do you think that I am mad,
For to wed with a poor country girl
Where no fortune's to be had.
l will cross the briny ocean,
I will whistle and sing,
And since you have refused the offer love
Some other girl shall wear the ring.
I am frolicsome, I am easy,
Good tempered and free,
And I don't give a single pin my boys
What the world thinks of me.
Page43
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
ROYAL FORESTER (soundtrack available on the
Steeleye Span Album "Below the Salt")
From the singing of John Strachan.
The Aboriculturist Meets Superwornan
I am a forester of this land
As you may plainly see,
It's the mantle of your maidenhead
That I would have from thee.
He's taken her by the milk-white hand,
And by the leylan sleeve,
He's lain her down upon her back
And asked no man's leave
Now since you've lain me down young man
You must take me up again,
And since you've had your will of me,
Come tell to me your name.
Some call me Jim, some call me John,
Begad it's all the same,
But when Im in the king's high court
Erwiliam is my name
She being a good scholar
She's spelt it o'er again,
Erwilliam, that's a Latin word,
But Wily is your name.
Now when he heard his name pronounced
He mounted his high horse,
She's belted up her petticoat
And followed with all her force
He rode and she ran
A long summer day,
Until they came to the river
That's commonly called the Tay.
The water it's too deep my love,
I'm afraid you cannot wade,
But afore he'd ridden his horse well in
She was on the other side.
She went up to the kings high door,
She knocked and she went in,
Said one of your chancellor's robbed me,
And he's robbed me right and clean.
Has he robbed you of your mantle,
Has he robbed you of your ring,
No, he's robbed me of my maidenhead
And another I cannot find
If he be a married man
Then hanged he shall be,
And if he be a single man
He shall marry thee.
This couple they got married,
They live in Huntley town,
She's the Earl of Airlie's daughter
And he's the blacksmith's son.
Page44
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
JOHN BARLEYCORN (soundtrack available on the Steeleye Span Album
"Below the Salt")
Collected by Fred Hamer from Billy Bartle in Bedfordshire. Dedicated
to Margaret Hammer
There were three men
Came from the west
Their fortunes for to tell,
And the life of John Barleycorn
As well
They laid him in three furrows deep,
Laid clods upon his head,
Then these three men made a solemn vow
John Barleycorn was dead
They let him die for a very long time
Till the rain from heaven did fall,
Then little Sir John sprang up his head
And he did amaze them all.
They let him stand till the midsummer day,
Till he looked both pale and wan.
Then little Sir John he grew a long beard
And so became a Man.
They have hired men with the scythes so sharp,
To cut him off at the knee,
They rolled and they tied him around the waist,
They served him barbarously.
They have hired men with the crabtree sticks,
To cut him skin from bone,
And the miller he has served him worse than that,
For he's ground him between two stones
They've wheeled him here, they've wheeled him there,
They've wheeled him to a barn,
And they have served him worse than that
They've bunged him in a vat.
They have worked their will on John Baileycorn
But he lived to tell the tale,
For they pour him out of an old brown jug
And they call him home brewed ale
Page45
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
The Happy Girls From Casa Gata
By Lady Melisant de Bergerac
Sung to Old Maid in the Garret
I was told by my aunt
I was told by my mother
You had to have the wedding
Before you had the other
Well this isnt so if you want to make some money
So come on all you men wont you try a little honey
Chorus
And its oh dear me
How would it be
If I could be a happy girl
From Casa Gata
Now there's my sister Jean
She's not hansome or good looking
Scarcley 16 and some money she was making
Now she's 24 she's some land and a townhouse
Here am I 4 years more and Im poorer than a church mouse
Chorus
I can Kiss and I can tease
I can keep a man right happy
When he rises in the morning
I'll be there sweet and ready
There's nothing in this wide world to make my heart so cheery
As a nice quick man with lots and lots of money
Chorus
Oh come landsman come townsman
Come tinker or come Tailor
Come fiddler come dancer
Come ploughman or come sailor
Come rich man come poor man come fool or come witty
Come any man at all just bring lots and lots of money.
Chorus.
Page46
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
My thing is my own (soundtrack available on the Baltimore Consort
Album "The Art of Bawdy Song")
Verses 1,2,5,6,7,9,12 of 12
I a tender young maid have been courted by many
Of all sorts of courtiers as ever was any
A spruce haberdasher first spake me fair
But I would have nothing to do with small ware
Chorus
My thing is my own and I'll keep it so still
Yet other young lassies may do what they will
A sweet scented courtier did give me a kiss
And promised me Mountains if I would be his
But I'll not believe him for it is too true
Some courtiers do promise much more than they do
Chorus
A Master of music came with an intent
To give me a lesson on my instrument
I thanked him for nothing, but bid him be gone
For my little fiddle should not be played on
Chorus
An Usurer came with abundance of cash
But I had no mind to come under his lash
He proffered me Jewels and a great store of gold
But I would not mortgage my little free hold
Chorus
A blunt lieutenant surprised my placket
and fiercely began to rifle and sack it
I muster my spirits up and became bold
and forced my lieutenant to quit his strong hold
Chorus
A fine dapper tailor with a yard in his hand
Did proffer his service to be at command
He talked of a slit that I had above knee
But I'll have no tailor to stitch it for me
Chorus
Now here I could reckon a hundred or more
Besides all the gamesters recited before
That made their address in hopes of a snap
But young as I was I understood trap
Chorus
Page47
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
The Four Mary's (soundtrack available on "Troubadore" by John Rolls
Mary Hamilton to the church is gone with ribbons in her hair
The King thought more of this Mary than any that were there
Last night the Queen have four Mary's, this night she'll have but
three
There was Mary Seaton and Marty Beaton and Mary Carmicheal and me
Oh often have I dressed my Queen and put ???? in her hair
But now I've gotten for my reward the Gallows tree to share
oh often have I dressed my Queen and often made her bed
But now I've gotten for my reward the gallows tree to tread
And woe be to the Queen herself she might have pardoned me
But yet she strives for me to hang upon the gallows tree
Oh happy happy is the maid that's born of beauty free
It was my dimpling rosy cheeks that's been the ruin of me
I charge ye all you sailors when ye sail on the foam
Let neither my father or mother know but tell them that I'm coming
home
Oh little did my Mother think that day she cradled me
The lands I was to travel in or the death I was to die
Oh little did my father think that day he held up me
That I his last and fairest hope should hang upon the tree
So weep no more for me lady weep no more for me
The mother that kills her own sweet babe deserves well for to die
Page48
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
.The Heralds Lament aka: a wail of toe
By Odd Armstrong – To the tune of Yesterday
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as if there here to stay
Oh, I beleive in yesterday
Heraldry, isn't half the fun they said it'd be
There's a green thing hanging off of me
Heraldry came suddenly
They said, "We need a herald"
I said, "Yes" I don't know why
Now I'm in the sun
and I am about to fry
Suddenly, a list runner came up to me
With a list of names all tangly
Written by a spider I'm sure you'd agree
I was out of my depth
the tourney was out of control
Five fighters with welsh names
reported each time I called
Heraldry, is associated with bastardry
I wish the King had known you see
I stuffed up ignominiously
I said His name wrong
And the crowd laughed raucously
His helm glowed red he said, "You're Dead!"
Now I must flee
Yesterday, all me troubles seemed so far away
I just thought that I could help them play
Heraldry's insanity
OOOo mummy!
Page49
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women
Jabir The Saracen Seneschal
By Odd Armstrong and Valeria de Borgia – To the tune of Rudolf The
Red Nosed Reindeer
Jabir the saracen seneschal had a very shiny helm,
And if you ever hit it you would say it rang like a bell.
All of the other seneschals used to laugh and call him names.
That didn't stop poor Jabir playing all his SCA games.
Then one sunny afternoon,
on the tourney field,
He pulled out his Two hander,
and made all the seneschals kneel.
Jabir is a mean bastard just ask our Marshal Fritz,
Then ask Jabir where the beer is and see if he really spits.
Royal Rumours
By Odd Armstrong - To the tune of Rose Red
In, in, inbred
The royal family's been in bed
And they've been doing a lot of naughty things
In, in, inbred
In, in, inbred
The royal cousins are in bed
They've even got the Bishop to marry them
In, in, inbred
In, in, inbred
The new Prince has more than one head
And they don't know on which one to crown him
In, in, inbred
Page50
Compiled by Lady Valeria de Borgia
The Bawdy Women Song Book First Edition 1999
The Bawdy Women