Traditional & Folk Songs with lyrics, midis & Mp3
Broomfield Wager

Broomfield Wager

(alternate:)

Broomfield Wager

A wager, a wager, a wager I'll lay you
I'll lay you five thousands to your one
That a maiden I will go to the merry broom field
And a maiden I'm sure I will return
  (repeat last two lines)
  Hold the wheel

And then did this young maid get on a bay hobby's back
All for to ride to that green broom, that green broom
And when she got there, she found her own true love
Lying in that merry green broom fast asleep

Nine times did she walk round the crown of his head
Nine times round the soles of his feet
Nine times did she say, awake, master
For your own true love is standing nearby

And when she had done all that she dare do
She stepped behind that bunch of green broom, that green broom
All for to hear what her own true love would say
When he awoke out of his domestic sleep

He said, If I had been awake, instead of being asleep
My will I would have done toward thee
Your blood, it would have been spilled, for those small birds to drink
And your flesh it would have been for their food

You hard-hearted young man, how can you say so?
Your heart it must be hard as any stone
For to murder the one who loved you so well
Far better than the ground that you stand on

Nine times of this bell did I ring, master
Nine times of this whip did I crack
Nine times did I say, Awake, Master
For your own true love is standing nearby

Child #43
Recorded by Roberts & Barrand --Dark Ships etc., Frankie
     Armstrong - Female Frolic

SOF