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An English folk song in the voice of a North Country maid in London who yearns to return home. Following a transcription of the lyrics is a copy of the tune to which they are sung. William Cole, Folk Songs of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales (New York: Doubleday, 1961) indicates that the melody dates from about 1650. Cole is the source of the following, except that I have changed some punctuation in the lyrics so that they make more sense to me. The Oak and the Ash
A North Country maid up to London had strayed,
Although with her nature it did not agree,
Which made her repent and so bitterly lament:
"Oh I wish once again for the North Country.Chorus
Oh the oak and the ash and the bonnie ivy tree,
They flourish at home in my own country.""O fain would I be in the North Country,
Where the lads and the lasses are making of hay;
There should I see what is pleasant to me.
A mischief light on them entic'd me away!I like not the court, nor the city resort,
Since there is no fancy for such maids as me;
Their pomp and their pride I can never abide,
Because with my humor it does not agree.How oft have I been in the Westmoreland green,
Where the young men and maidens resort for to play,
Where we with delight, from morning till night,
Could feast it and frolic on each holiday.The ewes and their lambs, with the kids and their dams,
To see in the country how finely they play;
The bells they do ring, and the birds they do sing,
And the fields and the gardens are pleasant and gay.At wakes and at fairs, being freed of all cares,
We there with our lovers did use for to dance.
Then hard hap had I, my ill fortune to try,
And so up to London, my steps to advance.But still I perceive, I a husband might have,
If I to the city my mind could but frame;
But I'll have a lad that is North Country bred,
Or else I'll not marry in the mind that I am.A maiden I am, and a maid I'll remain,
Until my own country again I do see,
For here in this place I shall ne'er see the face
Of him that's allotted my love for to be.Then farewell my daddy, and farewell my mammy.
Until I do see you, I nothing but mourn,
Remembering my brothers, my sisters, and others.
In less than a year I hope to return.
The Oak and the Ash
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