| Play/Download Music File Lesley Nelson |
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| Cecil Sharp found a variant of this in Journal of the Folk-Song Society. He completed the song from a
broadside in his collection.
This is very similar to Sweet Joan. |
My story to you I will relate Concerning of a pretty maid; Concerning of sweet lovely Joan As she sat milking all alone. A noble knight he rode with speed; All mounted on his milk-white steed; He rode, he rode, himself alone, Until he came to lovely Joan. Good morning to you, my pretty maid O twice good morning, sir, she said. What! are you milking all alone? O yes! replied sweet lovely Joan. Then out he pull'd his purse of gold. And said Fair maid do this behold! All this I'll give if me you'll wed, Her cheeks they blush'd like roses red. O noble knight, I pray you forbear, I cannot marry you, I swear For on tomorrow I'm to wed My own, my own true love instead. Twas then he made her a solemn vow, He'd wed her if she would or no; But this he said to frighten Joan, As she sat milking all alone. Give me the gold, into my hand, And I will be at your command; For that will be more good to me Than twenty husbands, sir, said she. As he was looking across the mead, She mounted on his milk-white steed. He called, he called, 'twas all in vain. She never once looked back again. She did not feel that she was safe Until she reached her true love's gate. She'd robb'd him of his steed and gold And left him an empty purse to hold. It pleased her lover to the heart To think how well she'd played her part: Tomorrow morning we'll be wed, And I will be the knight instead. |
| From
One Hundred English Folksongs See Bibliography for full information. |
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