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

@trick

recorded by Frankie Armstrong

printed on a broadside in 1860, believed to be much older

filename[ CRAFMAID

SF

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