The Knitters Jobb
Or the earnest Suitor of WALTON Town to a fair MAID, With her modest Answers and Conclusion of their intents
To the Tune of Shackley hey.
VVIthin the Town of Walton fair
a Lovely Las did dwell
Both Carding, Spinning, Knitting yarn
she could do all full well:
This maid she many Suitors had
some were good and some were bad
Fa la la la la la la.
Above the rest one there hard by
did bear her such good will
That when he feard to be deny'd
himself they thought he'd kill:
She took no notice of his grief
he dayly went without relief
Fa la la la la la la.
She alwaies shun'd his company
and from him turn'd away
This young man knew not what to do
nor what to her to say:
His heart it was full sore opprest
that night nor day he could take rest
Fa la la la la.
At length an opportunity
was offer'd unto him
To break his mind unto his Love
he made bold to begin
god Cupids aid he then required
all things might he as he desired▪
Fa la la &c.
Quoth he my dear and only joy
I must impart my mind
Thou art the treasure of my heart
to me be not unkind:
If thou wilt yield to me thy Love
I ever constant still will prove
Fa la la la la &c.
Thou art so rarely qualifi'd
so Lovely too withal
That till I have thy Love obtain'd
my Life to me is thral:
My sweet Saint grant now my request
of all thy Sex I love thee best
Fa la la la la la la la.
Do not deny me my dear Love
my Duck my Swan my Dear
If thout'l love me as I love thee
what sorrow needst thou fear
No longer cruel be to me
I will thy faithful Lover be
Fa la la &c.
When that thou dost a Spinning sit
thy servant I will be
To bring thy Cards and Wooll to thee
and a kiss shall be my Fee:
My Nanny I thee needs must have
ile be no longer Cupid [...]be
Fa la la &c.
Whilst he did speak a blushing smile
appeared in her face
And to be short she did begin
to yield without disgrace
What do you mean kind John said she
fondly to set your Love on me
Fa la la la &c.
Young men are false, Maids must be wise
no life like their's is frée
If you should an ill husband prove
ther's none would pitty me:
I love to live a Virgin Life
I care not for to be a wife
Fa la la la la la la.
If I should yield my Love to you
my sorrows would begin
And now the only care I take
to Card to Knit and Spin:
I thus do spend my time each day
whilst married folks sing wel a day
Fa la la la la la la.
A married Life is full of strife
I have no mind thereto
Therefore good John I pray forbear
far better may you do
You better had to keep your breath
I will a Virgin be till death
Fa la la la &c.
My Nan said he my Dear my sweet
my Love, my joy my Life
Before I go thou shalt here swear
thou wilt be made my wife
Oh John quoth she I dare to say
you will repent another day,
Fa la fa &c.
Well John said she I will not swear
yet yield to you my Love
Let it suffice I do promise
to be your Turtle Dove:
Since that I cannot quiet live
to you my hand and heart I give
Fa la fa, &c.
Quoth he kind heart thou hast me joyus
thou'rt welcome unto me
If till to morrow we do live
we married then will be
We'l cast away all fear and care
to kiss my Love I will not spare
Fa la fa la, &c.
Like two kind Turtles we will be
which live and Love together
Upon the pleasant Downs and Plains
we'l alwaies keep together
And when that we come home at night
to please thee still I will delight
Fa la fa la fa la.