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There was a youth and a well-bred youth, he being a squire's son |
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And he did court an innkeeper's daughter. belonging to North Islington. |
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Go get me some of your father's gold, part of your mother's fee |
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And we wil away to some foreign country, and married we will be. |
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She went down to her father's stable, there stood hordes thirty-three |
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And she picked out a milk-white steed, and he the silvery grey. |
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She mounted on the milk-white steed, he on the silvery grey, |
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And the rode until they came to a riverside, three hours before it was day. |
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"Alight, alight, my pretty fair maid, alight, alight, cried he, |
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It's six merchants' daughters I've drownded here, and you the seventh shall be. |
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Take off, take off that silken gown, and hand it over to me, |
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For I do think your clothing too good, for to rot in the salt, salt sea." |
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"If I do take off my silken gown, and hand it over to you, |
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Why I do think it a very great wrong, a naked woman to view. |
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I'll take off my silken gown, I'll lay it on the green, |
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But before that I do, you false young man, you must turn your back on me." |
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And when he turned his back around, and faced yon willow tree, |
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With all of the strength this poor maiden had, she shoved him into the sea. |
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"Lie there, lie there, you false young man, lie there instead of me, |
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It's six pretty maidens have you drownded here, go keep them good company." |
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And as he rose and as he sank, and as he rose cried he, |
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"Oh give me your hand, my pretty pretty Polly, my bride forever you'll be." |
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She mounted on the milk white steed, she led the silvery grey. |
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She rode until she cam to her father's house, one hour before it was day. |
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Now the parrot was hung in the window so high, "Where have you been?" cried he. |
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"I've been away to Scotland's bridge, Young Henry he lies under the sea." |
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"Don't prittle, don't prattle, my pretty pretty Polly, don't tell no tales on me, |
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And you shall have a cage of the very finest gold, and be hung on an ivory tree." |
