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Unhappy Love 71
16 THE SHERFIELD APPRENTICE
For English and American references and a text of this song, which is common in English and American broadsides and songbooks, see Cox, pp 294-295. See also Eddy, No. 52; Henry, JAFL, XLV, 51-53; Ord, pp. 421-422, and Sharp, II, 66-69. The story remains practically the same in various texts, but the lines themselves differ considerably. Version A was sung in 1934 by Mr. E. W. Harns, Greenville.
A
1 I was brought up in Sherfield, not of a low degree. My parents doted on me, they had no child but me. I rolled around in pleasure where'er my fancy led Till I was bound apprentice and all my joy was fled.
2 I did not like my master, he did not use me well; So unbeknown to my parents, so then I ran away.
I steered my course for London and cursed be that day. When I arrived at London, a lady met me there; She offered me great wages to drive her coach one year.
3 Deluded by her promises, O then I did agree
To go with her to Holland which proved my destiny. I had not been to Holland months more than two or three Before my wealthy mistress grew very fond of me.
4 "I have gold and I have silver, I have house and I have land, Which you may have at your command, if you'll but marry
me. "Excuse me, my dear mistress, your pardon I beg. I have promised charming Sally, the handsome chambermaid.
5 "Excuse me, my dear mistress, I cannot wed you both." |
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She flew into a passion and away from me did go.
She swore she'd seek some project to prove my overthrow.
So all early the next morning just at the break of day, I saw my wealthy mistress amongst the flowers so gay. A gold ring all off her finger just as I passed by, She slipped into my pocket, and for the same I die. |
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