ฟังเพลงThe Half-Hitch

The Half-Hitch - Pete Seeger

A noble rich man in Plymouth did dwell

He had but one daughter

A beautiful girl

A handsome young farmer

With riches supplied

He courted this fair

Maid to make her his bride

He courted her long

And gained her love

And then she intended

This young man to prove

When he asked her to marry

She quickly replied

And told him right off

She would not be his bride

He vowed then that home

He quickly would steer

And by a sad oath to her

He did swear

How he'd wed the first woman

That ever he did see

If she was as mean as a beggar could be

She ordered her servants

This man to delay

Her jewels and rings

She laid them away

She put on the worst of old

Rags she could find

She looked like a teapot

Before and behind

She rubbed both her hands

On the old chimney back

And then blackened

Her face from corner to crack

Then around to the road

She flew like witch

With her petticoats

Hoisted all on the half hitch

The young man came riding

And when he did see her

He cried out alas for

His oath he did fear

But being so faithful

To keep his words true

He soon overtook her

Saying Pray who are you

I am a woman

This answer did suit

Him as well as the rest

It lay very heavy

And hard on his breast

How can I bear for

To make her my bride

But still he did ask her

Behind him to ride

Your horse will throw me I know

No he replied

My horse he will not

So then she climbed up

And behind him she got

He wished himself well

From his promises free

But he turned to her saying

Will you marry me

Yes I will

My heart it doth fail me

I dare not go home

My parents will think

I am sorely undone

I will leave you here

With my neighbor to tarry

Within a few days

With you I will marry

You won't I know

He said that he would

And home he did go

He soon told his father

And mother also

Of his woeful case

And how he had sworn

His parents said to him

For that do not mourn

Oh never break your vows

But bring home your girl

We'll soon snug her up

And she'll do very well

They asked his old spark

To the wedding to come

Her servants replied

That she was not at home

They invited her maidens

To wait on her there

And then for the wedding

They all did prepare

Published the banns

And invited the guests

And then they intended

The bride for to dress

I'll just be married in my old clothes

When they were married

They sat down to eat

With her fingers she hauled

Out the cabbage and meat

His friends talk to her

Called to his bride

Saying pray go along

And sit by his side

I'll just sit in the

Chimney corner like I'm used to

She burned all her fingers

In the pudding I fear

Then she wiped

Them all on her old rags of write

They gave her a candle

What could she want more

And showed her the way

To the chamber door

Husband when you hear

My shoes go clunk

You may come along

Then she Upstairs

And kept stepping about

His mother said to him

What think is the rout

He cried out Dear Mother

Pray don't say a word

For never any comfort

Can this world afford

A little while later

Her shoes they went clunk

They gave him a candle

And bade him go along

Upstairs then he went

And quickly he found

As handsome a lady as

Ever stepped the ground

All dressed in the richest of clothes to behold

She was finer and fairer than pictures of gold

He greatly rejoiced at this end to his fears

For he had married the lady he courted for years