Betsy the Serving Maid

Now a farmer's daughter living near
A dreadful story you soon should hear
All off to London she made away
For she was bound a serving maid to be
And she went till she come to
Some squire's hall
And loudly there she did knock and call
“I hear you want a servant ” she said
“well I am Betsy a serving maid ”
And the squire had one only son
And very soon Betsy's heart he won;
And Betsy being both blithe and fair
This poor boy's heart she did ensnare
And so one Sunday evening he took his time
And unto Betsy he told his mind
And he swore by oaths or by stars above
'Tis you sweet Betsy 'tis you I love
But the old woman hearing him say so
It filled her heart with both grief and woe
We must contrive to send her away
To be a slave on in Amerikay
And so on Monday morning
The old woman arose
Crying Betsy go gather up your clothes;
I am going some friends to see
And only you Betsy shall go with me
And they went until they
Come to some seaport town
Where ships were sailing both up and down;
A ship was hailed and in she went
Poor Betsy sailed then in discontent
And a few days later the old woman come home
It's welcome home mother cried her son
Welcome home mother on every side
But where is Betsy the serving maid
Oh son oh son on son said she
Your heart's delight is all on the sea
For rather see my son lying dead
Than see him married to a serving maid
But a few days later this poor boy fell sick
So very sad all and in bed was he
They could not cure him though all they tried
He called on Betsy and then he died
And when she saw her son all lying dead
She wrung her hands and she tore her head
If I could see my son rise again
I'd send for Betsy across the main