The Northern Lasses lamentation,
OR
The unhappy Maids Misfortune
Since she did from her freinds depart
No earthly thing can cheer her heart
But still she doth her case Lament,
Being always fill'd with discontent,
Resolving to do nought but mourn,
Till to the North she doth return
To the tune I would I were in my own Country.
With Allowance.
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A North Countrey Lass
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up to London did pass
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Although with her Nature it did not agree
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which made her repent
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and so often Lament
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Still wishing again in the North for to be,
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O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree
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doth flourish at home in my own Country.
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fain would I be
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in the North Country
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Where the ladds and the lasses are making of hay
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there should I see
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what is pleasant to me
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A mischeif light on them intic'd me away,
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O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree,
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doth flourish most bravely in our Country.
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Since that I came forth
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of the pleasant North
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Ther's nothing delightful I see doth abound,
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they never can be
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half so merry as we
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When we are a dancing of Sellingers round.
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O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree,
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doth flourish at home in our own Country.
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I like not the Court
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nor the City resort
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Since there is no fancy for such maids as me,
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their pomp and their pride
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I can never abide
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Because with my humour it doth not agree
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O the Oak, the Ash, the bonny Ivy Tree,
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doth flourish at home in my own country,
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How oft have I been
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On the Westmorland green
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Where the young men and Maidens resort for to play
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where we with delight
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from morning till night
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Could feast it and Frollick on each Holliday
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O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree,
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They flourish most bravely in our country.
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A Milking to go
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All the Maids on a row
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It was a fine sight and pleasant to see.
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but here in the City
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they are void of pitty
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There is no injoyment of Liberty,
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O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree
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They flourish most bravely in our Country.
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When I had the heart
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From my friends to depart
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I thought I should be a Lady at last
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but now I do find
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that it troubles my mind
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Because that my joyes and my pleasure is past,
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O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree,
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They fl[o]urish at home, etc.
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The yows and the Lambs
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With the Kidds and their Damms
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To see in the Country how finely they play
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the Bells they do ring
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and the Birds they do sing
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And the fields and the gardens so pleasant and gay
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O the Oak, and the Ash, and the bonny Ivy tree
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They flourish most bravely in our Country.
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At Wakes and at Fairs
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Being void of all cares.
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we there with our Lovers did use for to dance,
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then hard hap had I
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my ill fortune to try
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And so up to London my steps to advance,
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O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree
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They, etc.
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Yet still I perceive
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I a husband might have
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If I to the City my mind could but frame,
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but i'le have a Lad
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That is North-Countrey bred
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Or else i'le not marry inth' mind that I am.
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O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree
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They flourish, etc.
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A maiden I am
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And a maid i'le remain
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Until my own Countrey again I do see
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for here in this place
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I shall ner' see the face
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Of him that's alotted my Love for to be.
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O the Oak, the Ash, and bonny Ivy Tree
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They flourish, etc.
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Then farwel my Daddy
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Ind farwel my Mammy,
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Until I do see you I nothing but mourn
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Remembring my Brothers
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my Sisters & others,
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In less than a year I hope to return.
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Then the Oak and the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree,
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I shall see them at home in my own Countrey.
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