Grey Beard Newly Shaven There was an old man came over the Lea, Ha-ha-ha-ha! but I won't have him. He came over the Lea, A-courting to me, With his grey beard newly-shaven. My mother she bid me open the door: I opened the door, and he fell on the floor. My mother she bid me set him a stool: I set him a stool, and he looked like a fool. My mother she bid me give him some beer I gave him some beer, And he thought it good cheer. My mother she bid me cut him some bread: I cut him some bread, And I threw't at his head. My mother she bid me light him to bed. I lit him to bed And wished he were dead. My mother she bid me tell him to rise: I told him to rise, And he opened his eyes. My mother she bid me take him to church: I took him to church, And left him in the lurch; With his grey beard newly-shaven. This is a version of the Baillie of Berwick, which will be found in the Local Hi storian's Table-Book. It was originally obtained from Morpeth, and communicated by W. H. Longstaffe, Esq., of Darlington, who says, 'in many respects the Bailli e of Berwick is the better edition - still mine may furnish an extra stanza or t wo, and the ha! ha! ha! is better than heigho, though the notes suit either vers ion.' GS apr00
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!