O make me a grave that is long, wide and deep, And cover me over with flowers so sweet, That there I may lie, and may take my last sleep; For that is the way to forget her. No. 98 THE BARLEY STRAW H.F.S. [Music] 1 As Jan was hurrying down the glade, He met his sweetheart Kit; "O whither so fast?" the maiden ask'd, "Let's bide and talk a bit." "I'm going to the barn, and if you'll come, And help me thresh the stro', That task complete, why then my sweet, A ramble we will go." 2 She gave consent, to work they went, As if 'twere only play; The flail he plied, whilst Kit untied, The sheaves, and cleared away. O willing hands made labour light, And 'ere the sun was low, With arms entwined, these lovers kind, Did down the vallies go. 3 Said Jan, "Thou art a helpful lass, Wilt thou be mine for life?" "For sure!" she said. To church they sped, And soon were man and wife. A lesson then, for all young men Who would a courting go, Your sweetheart ask to share your task, And thresh the Barley Stro'. 4 Now many a year, this couple dear, They lived in harmony; And children had, both lass and lad, I think 'twas thirty-three. The sons so hale did wield the flail, And like their father grow; The maidens sweet, like mother were neat: And clean as the Barley Stro'. No. 99 DEATH AND THE LADY C.J.S. [Music] 1 As I walked out one day, one day, All in the merry month of May, When lambs did skip and thrushes sing, And ev'ry bush with buds did spring. 2 I met an old man by the way, His head was bald, his beard was grey, His coat was of the Myrtle-green, But underneath his ribs were seen. 3 He in his hand a glass did hold, He shook as one that shakes with cold. I asked of him what was his name, And what strange place from which he came. 4 "My name is Death, fair maiden, see Lords, Dukes and Squires bow down to me; For of the Branchy Tree[27] am I And you, fair maid, with me must hie." 5 "I'll give you gold, if me you'll spare, I'll give you costly robes to wear!" "O no, sweet maid, make no delay Your sand is run, you must away!" 6 Alas! alack! the fair maid died, And these the last sad words she cried: "Here lies a poor, distressed maid, By Death--and Death alone betrayed." [Footnote 27: What is meant by the "Branchy Tree" I do not know, but so the words run in all versions.] No. 100 BOTH SEXES GIVE EAR H.F.S. [Music] 1 Both sexes give ear to my fancy, In praise of sweet woman I sing, Confined not to Doll, Sue, or Nancy, The mate of the beggar or king. When Adam was first a-created, And lord of the universe crown'd, His happiness was not completed, Until that a helpmate was found. 2