Digital Tradition Mirror

Green Brooms (3)

Green Brooms (3)

1. There was an old man and he lived in the east
And his trade it was cutting down brooms, green brooms
He had a young son, his name it was John
And he stayed in bed until noon-day, noon
And he stayed in bed until noon

2. The father arose and up to John goes
And swore he would burn his room, gay room
If he didn't rise and sharpen his knives
And go down to the wood to cut brooms, green brooms
And go down to the wood to cut brooms

3. So Johnny went on down through the green wood
Till he came to a castle of fame, fame, fame
He spied a maid and stood at the gate
Crying:   Fair maid, do you want any brooms, green brooms
Fair maid, do you want any brooms?

4. This lady being up in her window so high
She spied this young man so terribly neat, neat, neat
She said to her maid: Go down to the gate
And call in this young man with his brooms, green brooms,
And call in this young man with his brooms

5. So Johnny went into this castle so great
And entered this lady's room, gay room
She gave him a chair and bad' him sit there
Crying:   You're welcome, young man, with your brooms, green brooms
You're welcome, young man, with your brooms

6. Then to Jack she did say: You're handsome and gay
Give over your cutting of brooms, green brooms
And smiling she said: Give over your trade
And marry this lady in bloom, gay bloom
And marry this lady in bloom

7. Then Jack gave consent, to this lady's content
And married they were in her room, gay room
And Jack blessed the day that he travelled that way
And became lord of that castle of fame, great fame
And became lord of that castle of fame

8. So, come all you young blades, whatever your trades
May you meet with a lady in bloom, gay bloom
So, boys, will we drink, or what do you think?
There is nothing like cutting down brooms, green brooms
There is nothing like cutting down brooms

Source: "Folksongs of Britain & Ireland," Peter Kennedy, 1975

BH JRO
Oct01

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!

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