The Young Woman's Wish/The Young Woman's Wish

by Anonymous

 

The YOUNG WOMAN'S WISH.

It was down in yon meadow where sweet vi'lets grow,
I spy'd a pretty maid a milking her cow,
And the song that she did sing made all the groves to ring,
Saying, Billy is going for to serve the king,
  She sung, I wish the wars were all over.

 I list'ned a while to hear what it could be,
That made the birds whistle on ev'ry green tree,
Her voice far excel'd the nightingale's note,
The lark and sweet linnet did warble in her throat.
  And she sung, &c.

 He stepped up to her and made this reply,
He said my dear Polly what makes thee to cry?
My Billy has left me that I love so dear,
And the French dogs will kill him I greatly do fear,
  And she sung, &c.

 I said, pretty Nancy, will you fancy me?
I'll make you as happy as happy, can be:
No? no, reply'd she, that never can be,
For I never will marry till Billy I see.
  And she sung, &c.

 Now with my parents no longer I'll stay,
I will dress myself in some young man's array,
And like a bold sailor so neat and so trim,
I'll ship myself off for to serve the king.
  And she sung, &c.

 Now to some taylor I'll hasten away,
And dress myself up in a habit so gay,
For he oftentimes told me he'd make me his wife,
And for his sweet sake I will venture my life.
  And she sung, &c.