Misc Traditional – The Bailiffs Daughter Of Islington (Guitar)

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There was a youth, and a well belov'd youth,

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And he was a esquire's son,

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He loved the bailiff's daughter dear,

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That lived in Islington.

C
She was coy, and she would not believe

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That he did love her so,

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No, nor at any time she would

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Any countenance to him show.

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But when his friends did understand,

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His fond and foolish mind,

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They sent him up to fair London,

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An apprentice for to bind.

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And when he had been seven long years,

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And his love he had not seen,

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Many a tear have I shed for her sake,

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When she little thought of me.

C
All the maids of Islington

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Went forth to sport and play;

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All but the bailiff's daughter dear;

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She secretly stole away.

    C
She put off her gown of gray,

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And put on her puggish attire;

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She's up to fair London gone,

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Her true-love to require.

    C
As she went along the road,

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The weather being hot and dry,

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There was she aware of her true-love,

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At length come riding by.

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She stept to him, as red as any rose,

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And took him by the bridle ring;

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"I pray you, kind sir, give me one penny,

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To ease my weary limb."

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"I prithee, sweetheart, canst thou tell me

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Where that thou wast born?"

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"At Islington, kind sir," said she,

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"where I have had many a scorn."

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"I prithee, sweetheart, canst thou tell me

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Whether thou dost know

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The bailiff's daughter of Islington?"

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"She's dead, sir, long ago."

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"Then will I sell my goodly steed,

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My saddle and my bow;

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I will into some far country,

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Where no man doth me know."

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"O stay, O stay, thou goodly youth!

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She's alive, she is not dead;

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Here she standeth by thy side,

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And is ready to be thy bride."