The Crafty Maid's Policy

Traditional
(Frankie Armstrong)

Come listen awhile and I'll sing you a song
Of three merry gentlemen riding along.
They met a fair maid, and to her did say
"We're afraid this cold morning will do you some harm."

"Oh, no, kind sirs," said the maid, "You're mistaken
To think this cold morning will do me some harm.
There's one thing I crave, it lies twixt your legs,
If you give me that, it will keep me warm."

"Then since you do crave it, my dear, you shall have it
If you come with me to yonder green tree.
Then since you do crave it, my dear, you shall have it
I'll make these two gentlemen witness to be."

So the gentleman lighted and straightway she mounted
And looking the gentleman hard in the face
Said, "You knew not my meaning, you wrong understood me."
And away she went galloping down the long lane.

"Oh, gentlemen, lend me one of your horses
That I may ride after her down the long lane
If I overtake her, I warrant I'll make her
Return unto me my own horse again."

But soon as this fair maid she saw him a-coming
She instantly then took her pistol in hand.
Said, "Doubt not my skill, that you I would kill
I'll have you stand back or you are a dead man."

"Oh, why do you spend your time here in talking?
Oh, why do you spend your time here in vain?
Come give her a guinea, it's what she deserves,
And I warrant she'll give you your horse back again."

"Oh, no, kind sir, you are badly mistaken,
If it be his loss, well, it is my gain,
And you were a witness that he gave it to me."
And away she went galloping over the plain.


Printed on a broadside in 1860, believed to be much older.

http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=1372