North Country Maid



A North Country maid up to London had strayed,

Although with her nature it did not agree,

Which made her repent, and so bitterly lament.

Oh I wish once again for the North Country.



Oh the oak and the ash and the bonnie ivy tree

They flourish at home in my own country



O fain would I be in the North Country,

Where the lads and the lasses are making of hay,

There should I see what is pleasant to me,

A mischief light on them entic'd me away!



I like not the court, nor the city resort,

Since there is no fancy for such maids as me

Their pomp and their pride I can never abide,

Because with my humor it does not agree.

How oft have I been in the Westmoreland green

Where the young men and maidens resort for to play

Where we with delight, from morning till night

Could feast it and frolic on each holiday.



The ewes and their lambs, with the kids and their dams

To see in the country how finely they play

The bells they do ring and the birds they do sing

And the fields and the gardens are pleasant and gay



At wakes and at fairs, being freed of all cares

We there with our lovers did use for to dance

Then hard hap I had, my ill fortune to try

And so up to London my steps to advance



But still I perceive, I a husband might have

If I to the city my mind could but frame

But I'll have a lad that is North Country bred

Or else I'll not marry, in the mind that I am

A maiden I am and a maid I'll remain

Until my own country again I do see

For here in this place, I shall ne'er see the face

Of him that's allotted my love for to be



Then farewell my daddy and farewell my mammy

Until I do see you, I nothing but mourn

Rememb'ring my brothers, my sisters and others

In less than a year, I hope to return.



@England @plant @homesick

from Cole, Folksongs of England, Ireland, Scotland, & Wales

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