Dog and Gun (An Old English Ballad)

[Verse 1]
There was a young squire who lived on the way
He courted a rich lady so fair and so gay
To marry this lady, it was his intent
Their friends and relations all given their consent

[Verse 2]
The time was appointed their wedding to see
The squire chose a farmer his waiter to be
No sooner had the lady the waiter a spied
He inflamed her true heart; “oh my true heart,” she cried

[Verse 3]
Instead of getting married she went to her bed
The thought of the farmer still ran through her head
The thought of the farmer still ran through her mind
And how to gain him she was quickly to find

[Verse 4]
A coat, vest and pant did the lady put on
Away she went hunting with dog and with gun
She hunted all around where the farmer did dwell
Because in her true heart she loved him so well

[Verse 4]
Often she fired but nothing she killed
At length the young farmer came into the field
To talk with him there it became her intent
With her dog and her gun on to meet him she went

[Verse 5]
“I thought you'd have been at the wedding,” she cried
"To give to the squire his beautiful bride.”
“Oh no,” said the farmer, “the truth to you I’ll tell
I couldn't give her to him cos I love her so well”

[Verse 6]
It pleased the young lady to see him so bold
She gave him her glove that was flowered with gold
Saying, “take this I found it as I did come along
I found it while hunting with dog and with gun

[Verse 7]
The lady went home with a heart full of love
And gave out the news that she had lost her glove
And, “the one that will find it and bring it to me
The one that will find it, his bride I will be”

[Verse 8]
It pleased the young farmer to hear of the news
Straight ‘way with the glove to the lady he goes
Saying, “here honoured lady, I've just found your glove
Will you be so kind as to grant me your love?”

[Verse 9]
“My love it is granted”, the lady replied
“I love the sweet breath of the farmer,” she cried
“I’ll be mistress of dairy and milking of cow
While my jolly young farmer goes whistling to plough”

[Verse 10]
And when they were married, she told of the fun
How she courted the farmer with dog and with gun
And now that I have him so close in my snare
I'll love him forever and vow I don't care