Broadside ballads entitled 'Pretty Little Nell the Farmers Daughter' and 'Down Among the Coal'

Transcription

PRETTY

LITTLE NELL

THE

FARMERS

Daughter.

WHEN strolling on one summer's day down
        a country lane,
Just for a change of air, my boys, from town that
        day I came,
On looking round I there beheld a blue eyed
        country lass,
At a well drawing water, and she smiled as I
        went past.

Chorus.

Pretty little Nell, the farmer's daughter
I met her at the well drawing water,   
And as I passed her by, I caught the roguish eye,
Of pretty little Nell, the farmer's daughter

I raised my hat. she blushuig said my manners
        were polite,
I replied a country life must be one scene of
        delight!
She said she was quite happy in her country
        life so gay,
I begged that she would meet me, at the well
        again next day.

At the time appointed I was there, the birds sang
        out their lay,
Sweet Nelly met me at the well, she had just
        done making hay;
I put my arms around her waist, and pressed her
        to my side,
Then ask'd this little Village Queen, if she'd be
        my bride.

So   now   we're joined   together, by   marriage
        closest tie.
There is no care or strife between my darling
        wife and I,
And in onr little country home, with our children
        Rose and Nell,
Oft reminds me of the happy day, and the meet-
        of the well.

DOWN

AMONG

THE

COAL.

JEMIMA lived in service once, at a house
        in St. Enoch Square,
She ne'er got out, so I used to go and   cour
        her there,
Her mistersses were two old maids, such very
        particular souls.
That Jemima, often had to hide me, down among
        the coals.

Chorus:

Down among the coals, down among the coals,
All alone and in the dark, I say boys, it is a lark
Down among the coals, down among the cools,
Waiting to make love, to my Jemima.

When in the cellar, cobwebs used to decorate
        my clothes,
The coal dust got into my eyes, and would
        get up my nose;
And when it rained, the water came trickling
        through a crack,
And I always fancied, spiders were crawling
        up my back.

One night they sent Jemima out, she'd forgotten
        her dear Joe,
Was down among the Walls-ends, and a prisoner
        down below;
I began to freeze, was obliged to sneeze, and
        I felt inclined to shout,
So I hollo'd through the key-hole, "Here Jemima
        let me out.

At lenght the door was open'd-'twas dark, oh
        best of bliss,
I flopped my arms around her neck, and gave
        her such a kiss;
A scream, and then a shovel, gave me one
        upon the head,
I kiss'd her ancient mistress, I needn't say I fled

Love laughs at Locksmiths, so they say, that
        was the case with us,
Of course Jemima got the sack, it caused a dread-
        ful fuss;
But I married her soon after that, and we're as
        happy as a king,
And often round our cosy fire, this is what
        we sing.

670.

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