Eliza & Martin Carthy - Her Servant Man lyrics
It's of a damsel both fair & handsome These lines are true as I have been told On the banks of Shannon in a lofty mansion Her father chambered great stores of gold Her hair was black as a raven's feather Her form & features to describe who can But still this folly belongs to nature For she fell in love with her servant man As these two luvers were fondly talkin' Her father heard them and near them drew As these two luvers were together walkin' In anger home her father flew For to build a dungeon was his intention & to part true lovers he contrived to plan He swore by oaths & powers to mention He would part his fair 1 from her servant man To build a dungeon was his intention To part true love he contrived to plan He swore an oath on all his mansion He would part his fair 1 from her servant man His dungeon it was of bricks & mortar With a flight of steps bein' underground The food he gave her was bread & water No bed nor blanket for her was found Three times a day he did sorely beat her Till to her father she cryin' began “O if I've transgressed, my own dear father Yet I'll live & die for my servant man Young Edwin he found her habitation It was protected with an iron door He vowed in spite of all the nation He would set her free or would rest no more Now after leisure he toiled with pleasure How he'd gain releasement for his Mary Ann He gained his object, set free his treasure She cried, “My faithful young servant man But when he found his daughter vanished Like a lion he began to roar Sayin', Out of Ireland you shall be banished With my broadsword I will shed your gore Well I agree, cried Edwin, It's at your leisure Since I've released her now do all you can Oh forgive your daughter, I will die with pleasure For the 1 in fault it is your servant man But when he saw him so tender hearted Down he fell onto the dungeon floor, Cryin', such true luvers can ne'er be parted Since love has entered in an iron door So they were joined to be parted neva & to roll in riches this young couple can & this fair young lady she rules in pleasure For to live fo' eva with her servant man