Raspberry Lane As I walked out in Raspberry Lane I chanced for to meet with a mistress of fame The oak and the ash are a pretty plant and tree Now growing green in North Amerikee 'twas about midnight, what could he want more She showed him the was to the old tavern door He called for a candle to light him to bed Likewise a napkin to tie around his head Home, dearie, home and home it will be Home, dearie, home and home it will be The oak and the ash are a pretty plant and tree Now growing green in North Amerikee Early next morning this sailor grew bold Into her apron threw a handful of gold The gold it did glitter and it dazzled her eye She said, "Won't you marry me?" "Oh no, not I "But keep yourself single until the next spring To hear the larks whistle and the nightingales sing My ship is a waiting and in it I must go To the home I love and the friends that I know" "Here's a health to the sailors that sail on the sea Don't wed a foreign lady, but keep yourself free With your sky blue jacket and your tarpaulin on Sail the salt seas as I have often done" DT #319 Laws K43 see also NCNTRLAS Oak, Ash, and Thorn Ambletown (Home Dearie Home) recorded by Sara Grey and Margaret MacArthur SOF
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!