Historical Folk Lyrics
"The Councillor's Daughter"

'Tis of a councillor I write,
He had one only daughter,
And she was rich, a beauty bright;
And mark what follows after.

Her uncle left her, I declare,
A large here opposition [sic],
All for her father to take care
There at his own discretion.

Both lords and knights of a high renown,
This fair one he [or they?] had courted,
And more of them her favour won
So as it is reported.

Until a squire's youngest son,
He may enter her room,
And when he had her favour won
She feared 'twould prove his ruin.

You are a jewel in my eyes,
And now I fear the carressy [sic].
To die, I fear, will be your doom
For stealing of an heiress.

0 well bespoke the young man bold,
Like, a true polutation [or politician?]:
Your father he's a ouncillor
We'll tell him our condition.

Ten guineas bright shall be his fee,
He'll think we are some strangers,
And for the gold he'll counsel us
And free us from all dangers.

"Twas early next morning the young man rose
To go to the lawyer's chamber,
And sure the councillor did not know
But both of them were strangers.

But when the lawyer saw the gold,
He himself to be the gainer,
A pleasant tale he told to him
Of how he could obtain her.

Do you get a horse, the councillor said,
Do you get up behind her;
She'll bring you to some neighbour's house
Where none of your friends will find her.

Then she stole you, you may declare,
And to avoid all fury,
This is law I will maintain
Before both judge and jury.

Here is my writing-hand and seal,
That sealI'Il ne'er deny it
If there's any indicting,
In court I'll stand by you.

I thank you, sir, the young man said,
By you I am befriended;
It's to your house I'll bring my wife
When all the joke is ended.

'Twas early next morning the young man rose,
The news to his dear he carried,
And she her father's counsel took
And they were safely married.

When long that night in merriment
And joy beyond expression,
And homewards they returned the next day
To ask her father's blessing.

But when the councillor saw them both,
He looked like one distracted,
And swore he'd be revenged in wrath
For what his dame had acted.

Well bespoke the young man bold,
Saying: I hope there's no indicting,
For this is law, sir, of your own,
For here is your handwriting.

0 thunder nouns [sic], the councillor said,
Was there ever a man more fitted,
Myself to be the councillor
By you I am outwitted.

She might have lords or knights, he said,
Of higher blood descending,
But since she is your loving wife,
How can I be off ended.

Here is five thousand pounds in gold
Was left her by my brother,
And when I'm dead she must have all,
For child I have no other.