EBBA 33816
National Library of Scotland - Crawford
Ballad XSLT Template
The Knitters Jobb
Or the earnest Suitor of WALTON Town to a fair MAID,
With her modest Answers and Conclusion of their intents
To the Tune of Shackley hey.
|
WIthin the Town of Walton fair
|
a Lovely Las did dwell
|
Both Carding, Spinning, Knitting yarn
|
she could do all full well:
|
This maid she many Suitors had
|
some were good and some were bad
|
Fa la la la la la la.
|
Above the rest one there hard by
|
did bear her such good will
|
That when he feard to be denyd
|
himself they thought hed kill:
|
She took no notice of his grief
|
he dayly went without relief
|
Fa la la la la la la
|
She alwaies shund his company
|
and from him turnd away
|
This young man knew not what to do
|
nor what to her to say:
|
His heart it was full sore opprest
|
that night nor day he could take rest
|
Fa la la la la.
|
At length an opportunity
|
was offerd unto him
|
To break his mind unto his Love
|
he made bold to begin
|
god Cupids aid he then required
|
all things might be as he desired
|
Fa la la etc.
|
Quoth he my dear and only joy
|
I must impart my mind
|
Thou art the treasure of my heart
|
to me be not unkind:
|
If thou wilt yield to me thy Love
|
I ever constant still will prove
|
Fa la la la la etc.
|
Thou art so rarely qualifid
|
so Lovely too withal
|
That till I have thy Love obtaind
|
my Life to me is thral:
|
My sweet Saint grant now my request
|
of all thy Sex I love thee best
|
Fa la la la la la la la .
|
Do not deny me my dear Love
|
my Duck my Swan my Dear
|
If thoult love me as I love thee
|
what sorrow needst thou fear
|
No longer cruel be to me
|
I will thy faithful Lover be
|
Fa la la etc.
|
When that thou dost a Spinning sit
|
thy servant I will be
|
To bring thy Cards and Wooll to thee
|
and a ki[s]s shall be my Fee:
|
My Nanny I thee needs must have
|
ile be no longer Cupids slave
|
Fa la la etc.
|
Whilst he did speak a blushing smile
|
appeared in her face
|
And to be short she did begin
|
to yield without disgrace
|
What do you mean kind John said she
|
fondly to set your Love on me
|
Fa la la la etc.
|
Young men are false, Maids must be wise
|
no life like theirs is free
|
If you should an ill husband prove
|
thers none would pitty me:
|
I love to live a Virgin Life
|
I care not for to be a wife
|
Fa la la la la la la.
|
If I should yield my Love to you
|
my sorrows would begin
|
And now the only care I take
|
to Card to Knit and Spin:
|
I thus do spend my time each day
|
whilst married folks sing wel a day
|
Fa la la la la la la.
|
A married Life is full of strife
|
I have no mind thereto
|
Therefore good John I pray forbear
|
far better may you do
|
You better had to keep your breath
|
I will a Virgin be till death
|
Fa la fa la etc.
|
My Nan said he my Dear my sweet
|
my Love, my joy my Life
|
Before I go thou shalt here swear
|
thou wilt be made my wife
|
Oh John quoth she I dare to say
|
you will repent another day,
|
Fa la fa etc-
|
Well John said she I will not swear
|
yet yield to you my Love
|
Let it suffice I do promise
|
to be your Turtle Dove:
|
Since that I cannot quiet live
|
to you my hand and heart I give:
|
Fa la fa, etc.
|
Quoth he kind heart thou hast me joyd
|
thourt welcome unto me,
|
If till tomorrow we do live:
|
we married then will be
|
Wel cast away all fear and care
|
to kiss my Love I will not spare
|
Fa la fa la, etc.
|
Like two kind Turtles we will be,
|
which live and Love together.
|
Upon the pleasant Downs and Plains
|
wel alwaies keep together
|
And when that we come home at night
|
to please thee still I will delight
|
Fa la fa la fa la.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Printed for P. Brooksby at the Golden Ball in West-Smithfield near the Hospital-Gate.
|
View Raw XML