Digital Tradition Mirror

Crafty Maid's Policy

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Crafty Maid's Policy

Come listen a while and I'll sing you a song
Of three merry gentlemen riding along
They met a fair maid and to her did say
"I fear this cold morning will do you some harm"

"Oh no, kind sir," said the maid, "You're mistaken
To think this cold morning will do me some harm
There's one thing I crave, it lies twixt your legs
If you give me that, it will keep me warm"

"Since you crave it, my dear, you shall have it
If you'll come with me to yonder green tree
Then since you do crave it, my dear you shall have it
I'll make these two gentlemen witness to be"

So the gentleman lighted and straightway she mounted
And looking the gentleman hard in the face
Saying, "You knew not my meaning, you wrong understood me"
And away she went galloping down the long lane

"Oh gentlemen, lend me one of your horses
That I might ride after her down the long lane
If I overtake her, I'll warrant I'll make her
Return unto me my horse back again"

But soon as this fair maiden she saw him coming
She instantly then took her pistol in hand
Saying, "Doubt not my skill, it's you I would kill
I'd have you stand back or you are a dead man"

"Oh why do you spend your time here in talking
Why do you spend your time here in vain
Come give her a guinea, it's what she deserves
I'll warrant she'll give you your horse back again"

"Oh no, kind sir, you're vastly mistaken
If it is his loss, well it is my gain
And you are a witness that he give it to me"
And away she went galloping over the plain

recorded by Frankie Armstrong
printed on a broadside in 1860, believed to be much older
DT #357
SOF

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!