Farmer in Cheshire, The

The Farmer in Cheshire Roud 2638

from The Copper Family

1. There was an old farmer in Cheshire,
   To market his daughter did go,
   And thinking that no-one would harm her
   As she'd oft-times been that road before
   
   
2. Her business at the market being ended
   And all her fine goods being sold,
   Her journey back homewards she wended
   Her pockets well lined with gold.
   
   
3. She met with a rusty highwayman
   Two pistols he held to her breast,
   Saying deliver your money, your clothing,
   Or else you shall die in distress.
   
   
4. She being a buxom young damsel,
   Dismounted as though unafraid,
   One slash from her whip sent him sprawling
   And his pistols she took as he laid.
   
   
5. She put her left foot in the stirrup
   And mounted her horse like a man,
   Then shouted back over her shoulder,
   Catch me you old rogue if you can.
   
   
6. The rogue he soon follow-ed after
   But began for to puff and to blow,
   Then seeing he could not overtake her
   Sat down full of sorrow and woe.
   
   
7. Her father being anxious about her
   And finding 'twas getting quite late,
   When hoof-beats he heard fast approaching
   As she galloped up to the farm gate.
   
   
8. Oh, daughter, oh, daughter, what's happened,
   What kept you at the market so long?
   Oh father, I fell in great danger,
   But the rogue he has done me no wrong.
   
   
9. She put her grey horse in the stable,
   And laid a white cloth on the floor,
   They counted her money a thousand,
   A thousand, yes a thousand times o'er.

Recorded on Coppersongs 3

Words and tune in the Copper Family Songbook.