Popular Music Of The Olden Time Vol 2

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ANGLO-SCOTTISH SONGS.
617
FAIREST JENNY.
This is included in Scotch collections, under the name of Fife and a' tlie lands about it. The words were written by P. A. Motteux, and the music by Samuel Akeroyd. It was first printed in The Gentleman's Journal, of Jan., 1691-2, under the title of " Jockey and Jenny, a Scotch song set by Mr. Akeroyde." In the letter which precedes it, Motteux says, " I do not doubt but you will like the tune, and that is generally the more valuable part of our English Scotch songs, it being improper to expect a refin'd thought and expression in a plain light humour."
It was also printed in The Banquet of Music, Book 6, 1692 ; and in Apollo's Banquet, 7th edit., 1693 ; in Pills to purge Melancholy, vol. i. of early editions, and vol. iii. of the last.
The name of Fife and a' the lands about it, is taken from the first line of the second stanza.
Jockey. For aw Fife, and lands about it Ize not yield thus to be bound.
Jenny. Nor I lig by thee without it
For twa hundred thousand pound.
Jockey. Thou wilt die if I forsake thee. Jenny. Better die than be undone. Jockey. Gin 'tis so, come on, Ize taak thee, 'Tis too cauld to lig alone.