The Crafty Boy or THE LITTLE YORKSHIRE BOY There was an old farmer in Yorkshire did dwell And a pretty little Yorkshire boy he had for his man A pretty little Yorkshire boy he had for his man And for to do his business, his name it was John Timothy right, fol de dol de dol de, right fol dol de Oh the farmer called down to his man John And unto him his man John he came Saying, "Take this cow to the fair today She's in proper good order and her I can spare" Oh the boy took the cow and away rode he The boy took the cow and away rode he He hadn't been long gone till he met two men When he sold them the cow for six pound ten Oh, the butcher he took the boy in for a drink Oh the butcher he paid down the boy his jink And turning to the landlord, thus he did say "What shall I do with the money, I pray?" "I will sew it in the linings of my coat, then," says he "For I'm afraid on the highway it's robbed I might be" Says the man to himself, while drinking up his wine Says he to himself, "That money is mine" Oh the boy took his money and away rode he The highwayman followed after him also "You're well overtaken, young man," says he "How many mile further?" the robber did reply "Oh four miles further," the boy did reply "Then jump on my horseback and jump up behind ... So the boy jumped the horseback and away rode they Oh they rode till they came to some dark lane Says the robber unto Jack, "I must tell you plain Deliver up your money without any strife Or instantly I will end your life" Oh the boy thought it was no time to dispute From the linings of his coat all the money he pulled out From the linings of his coat all his money he pulled out And among the long grass he scattered it about Oh the robber he unlighted for to gather in his money But little did he think it was to his loss While gathering the money in his purse The boy jumped a-horseback and rode away with his horse "Oh," says the boy to the farmer, "I must tell you plain It's robbed I was by a highwayman And while he was gathering his money in his purse For to make you amends I brought home his horse" Oh the farmer he laughed whilst his two sides he hold "That's for a boy you was very bold And as for that villain you served him right And your name shall shine truly through Yorkshire bright" In the pocket of the saddle was there to be found The gold and the silver of five thousand pound Says the farmer to the boy, "I must tell you clear Three parts of the money you shall have for your share" "I will give you my youngest daughter to be your sweet wife Take her and live happy all the days of your life And my youngest daughter to be your sweet wife Take her and live happy all the days of your life" Child #283 Laws L1 from Newfoundland SOF
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!