Rambleaway

As I was a-walking to Derry Down Fair
In my bright scarlet coat and everything rare
Enough to entice all the maidens that day
When they set their eyes on young Rambleaway
Rambleaway, rambleaway
When they set their eyes on young Rambleaway

The very first steps I took into the fair
I spied lovely Nancy a-combing her hair
I gave her the wink and she rolled her dark eye
Says I to myself, I'll be there by and by
There by and by, there by and by
Says I to myself, I'll be there by and by

As we were a-walking that night after dark
I took lovely Nancy to be my sweetheart
I gave her three doubles and fair length and share
And I told her I'd ramble, but I didn't know where
Didn't know where, didn't know where
And I told her I'd ramble, but I didn't know where

My mum and my dad, they are both gone from home
But when they return I will sit down and moan
I'll tell them my story and leave them to say
No doubt she's been playing with young Rambleaway
Rambleaway, rambleaway
No doubt she's been playing with young Rambleaway

Twenty-four weeks, they were over and past
This pretty young Nancy did sicken at last
Her gowns wouldn't meet nor her apron strings stay
And she longed for the sight of young Rambleaway
Rambleaway, Rambleaway
She longed for the sight of young Rambleaway

Then six months had past and three more had come
This pretty young Nancy gave birth to a son
She hugged him, she kissed him, and to him did say
Your pappy, my darling, hae rambled away
Rambled away, rambled away
Your pappy, my darling, hae rambled away

Now silks and blue velvet my baby shall wear
And a bunch of blue ribbons to tie in his hair
And the bells they will ring and sweet music will play
On the night that I wed to young Rambleaway
Rambleaway, rambleaway
On the night that I wed with young Rambleaway

sung by Joe Hickerson on Dull Care I, also by Jean Redpath
play.exe RAMBLAW2
SOF