Title: The Lady and the Farmer's Son
Author: www.traditionalmusic.co.uk
Keywords: Folk,music,songs,lyrics,bluegrass,old-time-music

Traditional & Folk Songs with lyrics & midi music www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
The Lady and the Farmer's Son 
The Lady and the Farmer's Son 
Young lovers all, I pray draw near And a relation you shall hear Of how a lady was undone By loving of a farmer's son. 
His age,it was just twenty-two As I the truth do tell to you. He was well formed in every limb. This lady fell in love with him. 
She wrote him letters every day, But he to her would nothing say Because he knew he was going to wed Sally, her handsome chamber-maid. 
As she was walking in the grove, By chance she met with her own true love, Saying, "Kind sir, upon my life I do intend to be your wife." 
"O lady fair, that cannot be For you to be a wife to me, Because you know I am engaged To Sally, your handsome chamber-maid." 
She wrung her hands and tore her hair, And cried, "Alas I'm in despair. How can you slight me so?" she said, "All for a silly chambermaid ?" 
"If only I was from her free Then I could love you tenderly, But I am bound to her by oath, You know I cannot wed you both." 
The lady thought, "If that be so, I soon will prove her overthrow, For she my waiting maid shall be And we will cross the raging sea." 
This lady had contrived it so 
All for to work her overthrow As this poor maiden lay asleep She plunged her body in the deep. 
Now this fair lady on return Found conscience like vexatious burn For never could she be at rest Until the deed she had confessed. 
'Tis now she lies confined in jail. The Lord have mercy on her soul. Distracted did this young man run, In Bedlam lies the farmer's son. 
'Twas by the help of curs-ed gold, This pretty maiden's life was sold. 'Tis now a lass and you may see Has proved the ruin of all three. 
From Ballads Migrant in New England, Flanders Collected from Elmer George, VT 1933 DT #490 Laws O40