Golden Glove

A wealthy young squire of Tamworth you hear He courted a nobleman's daughter so fair All for to be married it was their intent Her friends and relations had given consent.

The time was appointed for the wedding day A farmer was chosen to give her away As soon as this lady the farmer did spy Love inflamed here heart, 'O my heart!' she did cry.

She turned from the squire, but nothing she said Instead of being married she went to her bed The thoughts of the farmer still rund in her mind A way for to gain him she soon then did find.

Coat, waistcoat and breeches this lady put on And a-hunting she went with her dog and her gun She hunted all round where the farmer did dwell Because in her heart she do lov-ed him well.

She oftentimes fired, but nothing she killed At length the young farmer came into the field [And to discourse with him it was her intent With her dog and her gun to meet him she went]

"I thought you had been at the wedding," she cried, "To wait on the squire and give him his bride." "Oh no," said the farmer, " 'if the truth I must tell I'll not give her away, for I love her too well."

The lady was pleased for to hear him so bold She gave him a glove that was flowered with gold And told him she’d found it as she came along As she was a-hunting with her dog and her gun.

The lady went home with her heart full of love And gave out a speech that she had lost her glove The man that will find it and bring it to me The man that will find it, his bride I will be.

The farmer was pleased for to hear of such news With his heart full of love to the lady he goes Saying, “Dear honoured lady, I’ve picked up a glove If you will be pleased for to grant me your love.”

“It’s already granted,” the lady replied “I love the sweet breath of a farmer,” she cried “I’ll be mistress of his dairy and the milking of his cow While my jovial brisk young farmer goes a-whistling to plough.”