Farmer from Cheshire, The

The Farmer from Cheshire

Roud 2638

as sung by Charlie Stringer on VTC2CD Songs Sung in Suffolk (Veteran)

1. There was a rich farmer in Cheshire,
   And his daughter to market would go.
   Thinking of no harm or danger,
   For she'd been on the highway before.
   
   
2. She met with an uncivil roadster,
   Two pistols he drew from his side.
   Saying, 'Deliver up your money and clothing,
   Or you will die in distress.'
   
   
3. He stripped that poor lady stark naked,
   But she mounted that mare like a man;
   She galloped over hedgerows and ditches,
   'Til she came to her father's door.
   
   
4. 'Oh daughter, oh daughter, what's happened?
   Why stayest you late from the fair?'
   'Oh father, I have been in great danger,
   But the villain has done me no harm.'
   
   
5. She put the grey mare in the stable,
   And spread the white cloth on the floor.
   She counted her money twice over,
   And she counted a thousand and more.
   
   
6. But now she's a carriage to ride in,
   And a coachman to ride by her side,
   Servants to wait at the table,
   And plenty of money besides.