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Title
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Husbandman and the servingman
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Singer
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Messenger, Charles
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Song Lyrics
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Serving man
Verse 1
Well met! Well met! My friend,
All on the highway riding
So simply alone as you stand;
Oh, pray! Come tell to me
What calling you might be?
Oh, are you not a serving man?
Husband man
Verse 2
Oh no, my brother dear!
What makes thee to inquire
Of any such thing at my hand?
Indeed! I'll not refrain
But I will tell thee plain,
I am a downright husband man.
Serving man
Verse 3
If a husband man you be,
Pray! Come along with me,
So instantly out of hand;
For I think within some space,
I will take you to a place
Where you can be a serving man.
Husband man
Verse 4
As for thy diligence
I return thee many thanks,
I require no such things at my hand;
But something to me show,
Whereby that I may know
The pleasures of a serving man.
Serving man
Verse 5
Why! A serving man has pleasure
Beyond all measure,
With the cup and the glass in his hand;
The meat that he doth eat,
And the game that he doth keep -
That's the pleasure for a serving man.
Husband man
Verse 6
My pleasure's more I know,
To see my corn to grow,
And so thriving it grows on the land;
So, therefore, I do mean
To go ploughing with my team,
To keep myself a husband man.
Serving man
Verse 7
Kind sir! It's a fine thing
To ride out with the king,
Lord, duke, earl, or any such one;
To hear the horns to blow,
See the hounds all in a row -
That's your pleasure for a serving man.
Husband man
Verse 8
My pleasure's more than that,
To see my oxen fat,
And a stack of good hay by them stand,
My ploughing and my sowing,
My reaping and my mowing -
That's the pleasure for a husband man.
Serving man
Verse 9
Kind sir! Then we do wear
Things costly, rich and rare,
Our coats all gold lace have got on;
Our shirts as white as milk,
Our stockings they are silk -
That's your habit for a serving man.
Husband man
Verse 10
As for thy gaudy gear,
Give me the clothes I wear,
Green bushes to trample upon;
Give me a good great coat,
And in my purse a groat -
That's your habit for a husband man.
Serving man
Verse 11
Lind sir! Then we do eat
Such delicate, fine meat -
Our turkey cock, capon and swan;
And after we do dine
We drink of the best wine -
That's your living for a serving man.
Husband man
Verse 12
As for your cock and capon,
Give me some beans and bacon,
And a pot of good ale now and then;
For, in a farmer's house,
There is good ham and souse -
That's your living for a husband man.
Serving man
Verse 13
Kind sir! It would be bad
If there none could be had
The table to wait upon;
There is neither lord or king,
Nor any gentleman,
Could do without a serving man.
Husband man
Verse 14
Kind sir! It would be wuss
If there were none of us
For to plough and to fallow the land;
For there is neither lord, duke or king,
Nor any gentleman
Could do without the husband man.
Serving man
Verse 15
Kind sir! I must confess,
And grant you your request,
And give you the uppermost hand;
Although it is so painful,
Your calling is most gainful -
I wish I was a husband man.
Husband man
Verse 16
Then come! Let us all
Together, great and small,
Pray for king and grain of the land;
Come! Let us for ever
Do our best to endeavour
To maintain the husband man.
