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EBBA 33842

National Library of Scotland - Crawford
Ballad XSLT Template
The Country Lass,
Who left her Spinning-Wheel for a more pleasant Employment.
To the Tune of My Maid Mary.
Licensed according to Order.

SWeet facd Jenny receivd a Guinea,
but she lost her Maiden-head just at that time,
But the golden Guinea bright,
Was so pleasant to her sight,
that she accounted the sin no Crime;
Saying, Mother the Wanton I playd,
But for the same I have been well payd,
I had Gold and Treasure besides the Pleasure,
Tis better for me than the Spinning-Trade.

Twas a Squire that did admire,
the Beautiful Charms of your Daughter, she cryd
And among the Cocks of Hay,
There we did both sport and play,
what he requird I neer denyd,

Mother sure you will not be concernd,
That I my Money so soon have earnd,
I leave off this Spinning of Wollen and Linnen,
And follow the Trade I now have learnd.

Then her Mother above all other,
straight told her she was a young Harlot indeed,
Likewise in a Rage she said,
You have lost your Maiden-head,
who shall maintain your young Bastard Breed?
She replyd to her Mother again,
You have no reason for to complain,
by my own endeavour I labour ever,
Myself Like a Lady here to maintain.

I but Daughter youll find hereafter,
by young Men and Lasses you will be revild,
Thomas, Harry, Sue, and Nell,
When they see your Belly swell,
and you no Father have for your Child:
Susan, Nancy, nay Bridget and Priss,
Theyll all cry out, you have done amiss;
It is not a Guinea, my Daughter Jenny,
Can never repair such a Breach as this.

Ill neer fear it, who eer comes near it,
shall give me the Money before they begin,
Then I never shall be poor,
But have Gold and Silver store,
whoever loses Im sure to win;
The young Squire will come eery day,
And for his Pastime will freely pay:
my Spinning and Carding is not worth a Farthing,
Ill fling both my Rock and my Reel away.

Virgin Treasure Ill use at pleasure,
why shoud not young Lasses make use of their own?
I have been tormented sore,
Seventaen long years and more,
while I was forced to lye alone,
Now Im belovd by the Squire in Town,
Who is a Person of high Renown,
therefore Im a Lady methinks already,
Although I am cloathed in a Russet Gown.

Wont it grieve you if he should leave you?
come tell me Dear Daughter her Mother replyd,
When your Coats too short are grown,
You may lye and make your moan.
Mother I pray now forbear to chide;
If at length I should happen to breed,
Ill hasten to my old Love with speed,
the Miller, young Harry, with him Ill marry,
Hell serve for a Cloak in the time of need.


Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, J. Back.

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