American Old Time Song Lyrics: 13 Prentice Boy

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 13

'PRENTICE BOY.

As down in cupid's garden for pleasure I did walk,
I heard two loyal lovers most sweetly for to talk;
It was a brisk young lady and her 'prentice boy,
And in private they were courting, for he was all her joy.

He said: "Dear honor'd lady, I am your 'prentice boy,
How ever can I think a fair "lady to enjoy?"
His cheeks red as roses, his humor kind and free-
She said: "Dear youth, if e'er I wed I'll surely marry thee.

But when her parents came this to understand.
They did this young man banish to some foreign land;
While she lay broken-hearted, lamenting she did cry:
"For my honest, charming 'prentice, a maid I'll live and die."

This young man to a merchant a waiting man was bound,
And by his good behavior great fortune there he found;
He soon became his butler, which prompted him to fame,
And for careful conduct the steward he became.

For a ticket in a lottery his money he put down,
And there he gained a prize of twenty thousand pounds;
With store of gold and silver, he pack'd up his clothes, indeed,
And to England returned, to his true love with speed.

He offered kind embraces, but she flew from his arms,
"No lord, duke, or nobleman, shall e'er enjoy my charms;
The love of gold is cursed, great riches I decry,
For my honest, charming 'prentice, a maid I'll live and die."

He said: "Dear honor'd lady, I have been in your arms,
This is the ring you gave for toying in your charms;
You vow'd if e'en you married, your love I should enjoy,
Your father did me banish, I was your 'prentice boy.

When she beheld his features, she flew into his arms,
With kisses out of measure, she did enjoy his charms;
Then so through cupid's garden, a road to church they found,
And there in virtuous pleasure in Hymen's bane were bound.