THE CRAFTY BOY

or THE LITTLE YORKSHIRE BOY



There was an old farmer in Yorkshire did dwell

And a pretty little Yorkshire boy he had for his man

A pretty little Yorkshire boy he had for his man

And for to do his business, his name it was John



Timothy right, fol de dol de dol de, right fol dol de



Oh the farmer called down to his man John

And unto him his man John he came

Saying, "Take this cow to the fair today

She's in proper good order and her I can spare"



Oh the boy took the cow and away rode he

The boy took the cow and away rode he

He hadn't been long gone till he met two men

When he sold them the cow for six pound ten

Oh, the butcher he took the boy in for a drink

Oh the butcher he paid down the boy his jink

And turning to the landlord, thus he did say

"What shall I do with the money, I pray?"



"I will sew it in the linings of my coat, then," says he

"For I'm afraid on the highway it's robbed I might be"

Says the man to himself, while drinking up his wine

Says he to himself, "That money is mine"



Oh the boy took his money and away rode he

The highwayman followed after him also

"You're well overtaken, young man," says he

"How many mile further?" the robber did reply



"Oh four miles further," the boy did reply

"Then jump on my horseback and jump up behind

...

So the boy jumped the horseback and away rode they

Oh they rode till they came to some dark lane

Says the robber unto Jack, "I must tell you plain

Deliver up your money without any strife

Or instantly I will end your life"



Oh the boy thought it was no time to dispute

From the linings of his coat all the money he pulled out

From the linings of his coat all his money he pulled out

And among the long grass he scattered it about



Oh the robber he unlighted for to gather in his money

But little did he think it was to his loss

While gathering the money in his purse

The boy jumped a-horseback and rode away with his horse





"Oh," says the boy to the farmer, "I must tell you plain

It's robbed I was by a highwayman

And while he was gathering his money in his purse

For to make you amends I brought home his horse"



Oh the farmer he laughed whilst his two sides he hold

"That's for a boy you was very bold

And as for that villain you served him right

And your name shall shine truly through Yorkshire bright"



In the pocket of the saddle was there to be found

The gold and the silver of five thousand pound

Says the farmer to the boy, "I must tell you clear

Three parts of the money you shall have for your share"



"I will give you my youngest daughter to be your sweet wife

Take her and live happy all the days of your life

And my youngest daughter to be your sweet wife

Take her and live happy all the days of your life"



Child #283

from Newfoundland

@outlaw

filename[ CRAFTYBY

SF

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