# Jovial tinker and the farmer's daughter/The Tinker and Farmer's Daughter

THERE was. a wealthy farmer liv’d in the south country, Who had an only daughter, of visage fair and free She was the greatest beauty, that ever I did see, And many a gallant suitor came, to bear her company.
A noble Lord as I heard tell, her beauty he did prize; And for to gain her maiden-head, himself he did disguise ; Both night and day as I heard say, this maid was in his eyes ; That he could ne’er contented be, until he gain’d the prize.
Thus, like a jovial Tinker, of courage bold and crowse; And to take up his quarter, came to the farmer’s house ; Saying. Have ye any pots or pans, or candlesticks to mend ! Or have ye any quarters for me, a single man !
​They gave this young man quarters, of him did dread no harm; And for to make the Tinker’s bed, this maid went to the barn; And for to make the Tinker’s bed, the farmer’s daughter went; Which pleas’d the young man’s fancy and further’d his intent.
The Tinker being cunning, he nimbly barr’d the door. And took the fair maid in his arms, and laid her on the floor; He laid her down upon the floor, among the pease straw; And there he got his will of her, before he let her go
The lassie figh’d, and then she blush’d, and wow but she thought shame; Now since you've got your will of me, I pray tell me your name; He softly whisper’d in her ear, they ca’ me Davie Faa’, And if I come this way again, you’ll mind the pease-straw.
I’ll give you fifty guineas, to pay the nourice-fee ; And if you chance to have a son, a doubly it shall be: And if you’ll ly with me this night among the pease-straw, ​My dear you’ll have the money, before I go awa'.
O when the rest were gone to bed. This maid went to the barn, To ly with the jolly Tinker, and for to keep him warm ; O quickly then she did undress, herself from top to toe, In a well made bed they had fine sport, among the pease-straw.
But early the next morning, before the break of day. The Tinker rose, put on his clothes, and said, I must away ; He gave her fifty guineas, well ty’d up in a purse. Said he, My dear, you need not fear, I hope you’re not the worse.
When 18 weeks were past and gone, this maid turn’d pale and wan, And then for to suspect her, her mother she began ; Come tell to me, my dear, says she, who has done you this harm ? I fear it’s been the Tinker, that lay into the barn.
He was the bravest Tinker, that ever I did fee ; He gave me fifty guineas, to pay the nourice-fee. ​And I have made a promise, if he comes here awa’, That we will have some pleasant sport among the pease-straw.
But when 9 months were past and gone, this fair maid had a son, And at the jovial gossipping, there was both mirth and fun ; And when the child baptized was, they call’d him Davie Faa’ : That pretty boy that night was got, among the pease-straw.
Then according to his promise, he sent three hundred pound, Unto the farmer’s daughter, for to bring up her son ; And when the child to age is come, I’ll give it as much more, In remembrance of the jovial night, the barring of the door.
If any will this damsel wed, I’ll give them a farm free, Ewes and lambs, harrows and plough fitting for husbandrie ; Besides a handsome portion, of gold and white money, Although she loft her maiden-head, O what the war is she.
I think l hear this damsel’s wed, to a farmer’s son near by, ​And when the Farmer wants a hand, the Tinker does supply ; All for to please this comely maid, as I have done before, And now I’ll end my merry song, the barring of the door.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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