The Clothier

There was a fair damsel in Carlchester
To me roddle ol a dock, to me roddle ol a day
And there a clothier courted her
To me roddle ol a dock, to me roddle ol a day
For three month's space, both night and day
To me roddle ol a dock, to me roddle ol a day
And yet the damsel still said Nay
To me roddle ol a dock, to me roddle ol a day

It was at ten o'clock or more,
She to a tanner went therefore,
And there she borrowed an old cow-hide
With crooked horns both large and wide.

She to a lonesome field did stray.
At length the clothier came that way,
And at her he did surely scare,
For he thought it was old Lucifer.

With a hairy hide, horns on her head,
And them three feet asunder spread,
With that he saw a long, black tail.
He strove to run, but his feet did fail.

Then she with a glum and doleful note,
She quickly seized him by the throat.
She says: Young man, whether you will or no,
Into my gloomy region go.

Since you have left poor Kate, I hear,
And wooed with a lawyer's daughter dear ;
And if young Kate she doth complain,
O soon you'll hear from me again.

O master devil, spare me now,
And I'll perform my former vow;
I'll make young Kate my lawful bride.
See that you do, the devil cried.

When they had twelve months married been,
She told it at her lying-in.
Her husband laughed as well as they.
Wasn't that a joyful marriage day ?

From English Folk Songs in the Southern Appalachians, Sharp
Collected from Mrs William Cullen Wooton, KY 1917
DT #452
Laws N22
RG