Martin Carthy - John Blunt lyrics

There was an old couple lived under the hill, Blunt it was their name o. They had good beer and ale good to sell And it bore a wonderful fame o. John Blunt and his wife they drank of the drink Till they could drink no more o; They both got tired and they went up to bed But forgot to bar the door o. So they a bargain, bargain made, Made it strong and sure o: The first of them should speak the first word Should get up and bar the door o. So there came travellers, travellers three, Travelling in the night o. No house, no home, no fire had they, Nor yet no candlelight o. They went to his cellar, they drank up his drink Till they could drink no more o; But never a word did the old couple speak For fear who should bar the door o. They went to his larder, they ate up his food Till they could eat no more o; But never a word did the old couple speak For fear who should bar the door o. They went upstairs, they went to his room, They broke down the door o; But never a word did the old couple speak For fear who should bar the door o. They hauled his old wife out of the bed, Then laid her out on the floor o; Then up got John Blunt out of his bed For he could stand no more o. "You've eaten my food and drunk all my drink, Laid me wife on the floor o." "You spoke the first word John Blunt, she said, So go down and bar the door o."