All I Want is a Handsome Man or Ripest Apples

Madam I am come to court you
If so be you'd let me in
Sit you down, you're kindly welcome
Then perhaps you'll call again

Madam I've got gold and silver
Madam I've got house and land
Madam I've a world of pleasure
All to be at your command

I don't value your gold and silver
I don't value your house and land
I don't value your worlds of pleasure
All I want is a handsome man

Why do you dive so deep in beauty
It's a flower will soon decay
You pick it on a summer's morning
Before the evening it fades away

Ripest apples are soonest rotten
Hottest love is soonest cold
Young men's words are soon forgotten
Pretty maid, don't be too bold

After cowslips there come roses
After night there comes day
After false love comes a true love
So our time will pass away.

from Sedley, Seeds of Love, his note below
This song is closely related to O No John. Text based on
Hammond's manuscripts and a set collected by Sam Henry; tune
based on the nostalgic Irish air given by Sam Henry, For another
melody, see O No John,
SOF