The Little Farm OR The Weary Ploughman.
You husbandmen and ploughman, of every degree,
I pray you give attention unto me,
I hope it will offend not meaning any harm
But concerning of a Bonny lass who kept a little farm.
CHORUS I was both weak and weary by daylight in the morn, I thought it young and growing but to stubble it was worn.
I stept up to to this blooming lass thinking to get employ,
She said young man be civil and do not me annoy,
My farm though in the lowlands was never overflown,
I’ve made a resolution to keep as my own.
I said my charming fairmaid I am a husbandman,
And have had great experience in cultivating land,
There’s nothing comes amiss to me in the farming line I vow,
You’ll find me likewise useful in working as your ploughman.
She said no longer time delay your mind shall be at ease,
My farm-house lies in the valley between two poplar trees,
Surrounded too much with rushes I’ve long kept in store,
There is a tree you’ll see growing each side of the door.
I said with your permission I there will enter in.
Command me at your leisure my labour to begin,
You’ll find me use to ploughing likewise my seed to sow
If we agree you soon will see it for to thrive and grow.
With courage in good order she said come try your skill,
The plow is near the furrough at the bottom of the hill,
Above the hill two milking- resemble cocks of hay
If you feel weak no further seek a pillow for to seek
At length with toil being weary, I laid my head between
Those milking-pails that were so white although the grass was green.
The land being in bad order it made me sweat and groan,
I was forc’d to yield and quit the field for it was overflown.
She said when you have rested your strength for to regain,
If it’s your intention commence ploughing again,
No said I excuse me and do not frown
Although I’m young and in my prime my courage is pull’d down.
Trad? From the Firth collection at the Bodleian – also ‘the common muse’ penguin book of British ballad poetry C15 – C20.
There are quite a few versions of this lyric (something on the subject). Robert Burns wrote a version.
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