Come sit by me all you
Fine lords and laddies,
And I'll tell you the tale
Of the young John Henry.
And he met a fair maiden,
One bright may morning,
As he went a-hunting
In Midsomer County.
And pale was the skin
Of the Midsomer maiden,
Blue were her eyes
As blue as the sea.
And on her fair head
Lay a garland of flowers.
Sweet were the roses
Of Midsomer County.
But young men don't stray.
This maiden will lead you away.
She brought him fine ale
And she brought him supper.
Fresh eggs and live eels
For young John Henry.
She said, 'Come, eat your fill.'
'And when you are sated'
'You'll stay with me here'
'In Midsomer County.'
And 'Alas I cannot stay, '
Said young John Henry,
'I'm bound to another, '
'Soon married I'll be.'
'And I thank ye for supper'
'My kind and fair maiden.'
'Now I must leave here'
'Midsomer County.'
But young men don't stray.
This maiden will lead you away.
Well up went the cry
Of the Midsomer maiden.
'For shame and for shame, '
'For you have tricked me! '
'You're bound to me now'
'And I am your lover.'
'I swear you'll not leave here'
'Midsomer County.'
Cold was the blade
Of the Midsomer maiden.
And soft was the neck
Of young John Henry.
And warm was the blood
That flowed from his body.
Red as the roses
Of Midsomer County.
But young men don't stray.
This maiden will lead you away.