HALF HITCH



A noble rich man in Plymouth did dwell

He had but one daughter, a beautiful girl

A handsome young farmer with riches supplied

He courted this fair maid to make her his bride



He courted her long and gained her love

And then she intended this young man to prove

When he asked her to marry she quickly replied

And told him right off she would not be his bride



He vowed then that home he quickly would steer

And by a sad oath to her he did swear

How he'd wed the first woman that e'er he did see

If she was as mean as a beggar could be



She ordered her servants this man to delay

Her jewels and rings, she laid them away

She put on the worst of old rags she could find

She looked like a teapot before and behind



She rubbed both her hands on the old chimney back

And then blackened her face from corner to crack

Then around to the road she flew like witch

With her petticoats hoisted all on the half hitch



The young man came riding and when he did see her

He cried out 'alas' for his oath he did fear

But being so faithful to keep his words true

He soon overtook her, saying "Pray, who are you?"

"I am a woman"



This answer did suit him as well as the rest

It lay very heavy and hard on his breast

"How can I bear for to make her my bride?"

But still he did ask her behind him to ride

"Your horse will throw me, I know"



"No", he replied, "My horse, he will not"

So then she climbed up and behind him she got

He wished himself well from his promises free

But he turned to her saying, "Will you have me?"

"Yes I will"



My heart it doth fail me, I dare not go home

My parents will think I am sorely undone

I will leave you here with my neighbor to tarry

Within a few days with you I will marry

"You won't, I know"



He told her he would and home he did go

He soon told his father and mother also

Of his woeful case and how he had sworn

His parents said to him, "For that do not mourn"



Oh, ne'er break your vows, but bring home your girl

We'll soon snug her up and she'll do very well

They asked his old spark to the wedding to come

Her servants replied that she was not at home



They invited her maidens to wait on her there

And then for the wedding they all did prepare

Published the banns and invited the guests

And then they intended the bride for to dress

"I'll just be married in my old clothes"



When they were married, they sat down to eat

With her fingers she hauled out the cabbage and meat

As she stood a-stooping some called to his bride

Saying pray go along and sit by his side

"I'll just sit in the chimney corner like I'm used to"



She burned all her fingers in the pudding, I fear

Then licked them and wiped them all on her old rags

They gave her a candle, what could she want more

And showed her the way to the chamber door

"Husband, when you hear my shoes go "clunk", you may come along"



Upstairs she then went and kept stepping about

His mother said to him, " What think is the rout?"

He cried out, "Dear Mother, Pray don't say a word

For ne'er any comfort can this world afford"



A little while later, her shoes they went "clunk"

They gave him a candle and bade him go along

Upstairs then he went and quickly he found

As handsome a lady as e'er stepped the ground



All dressed in the richest of clothes to behold

She was finer and fairer than pictures of gold

He greatly rejoiced at this end to his fears

For he had married the lady he courted for years



Downstairs they went and a frolic they had

Which made both their hearts feel merry and glad

They looked like two flower that pleased the eye

With many full glasses, all wished them great joy



___________

related to Child #31 The Marriage of Sir Gawain

Pete Seeger has recorded it on "Story Songs"

@courtship @marriage

filename[ HALFHITC

SF

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