The Thrashing Machine
Sung by Annie O Neil.
Recorded by Peter Kennedy in Belfast, Ireland, in 1952.
For there was an old farmer, in Down he did dwell,
He'd one pretty servant, her name it was Nell
He'd one pretty servant, she was scarce seventeen,
And he showed her the works of his thrashing machine.
Says Nell to the farmer, "It's a fine summer's day,
While the rest of the farmers are off making hay,
Come into the barn where we won't be seen,
And the two of us start working our thrashing machine."
O, Nell she stepped forward and into the house.
The boss got the harness and strapped her right on,
Nell took the handle and turned on the steam,
And the two of them start working the thrashing machine.
O six months being over, and nine coming on,
Nell's skirt wouldn't meet, nor her drawers wouldn't go on,
'Tis under her oxter like a young fairy queen,
I will have you transported for your thrashing machine.
Additional verses:
[O up comes the Judge with a pen in his claw,
He says, "Lovely Nell, you have broken the law."
"No, sir," says she. "It's plain to be seen,
I needed the strength of his thrashing machine."]