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Good Morning, Pretty Maid

from Some Time I Stood Still by Sean Smith

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about

I got this song via the William Barrett collection of English folk songs. It's from Gloucestershire, and according to Barrett could be traced through one family as far back as 1750 -- "and it may be still older." My association with it began during my freshman year of college, when I was first beginning to learn and play folk music in earnest. However, the song never did find a place in my repertoire until 2019, when I found an accompaniment and arrangement I liked. There are innumerable stories like it throughout folk tradition, of course -- love at first sight, random encounters of the romantic kind, etc. -- but I appreciated that this one was told, literally, through a he-said/she-said dialogue. I did feel it ended rather abruptly, so I cobbled together a fifth verse, but tried to leave open the question of who's singing it; perhaps it's the Charming Maiden, or could it be a chastened, contrite Boasting Stranger?

lyrics

Good morning, pretty maid
Where are you going?
For to range the fields so fair
With no one knowing?
I think too bold you are
for to range the fields so fair
With danger everywhere
Oh, you charming maiden

A charming maid I am,
sir, she replied
Without any guile or care
And to no man tied
My recreations are
For to range the fields so fair
For to take a pleasant air
Oh, you boasting stranger

A farmer's son am I
And your richest neighbor
I have great wealth in store
Through honest labor
And if you will agree
It's married we should be
For I am in love with thee
Oh, you charming maiden

But a farmer's wife must work
Both late and early
Just like some foreign turk
So please believe me
I do not intend to be
A servant bound by thee
For to do thy drudgery
Oh, you boasting stranger

So come all you brisk young men
With riches laden
Who would range the fields so fair
To court a charming maiden
Then speak with courtesy
And show thy humility
For if you don't then all she'll see
Is a boasting stranger

credits

from Some Time I Stood Still, released July 6, 2020

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Sean T. Smith Boston, Massachusetts

Sean Smith has been playing folk music since his teens, with a focus on the traditions of Ireland, Scotland and England in particular. He's been active in the Greater Boston music scene since the early '80s, and been part of numerous collaborations. He also writes about music for BostonIrish.com, helps organize an annual Celtic music festival, and has been known to drink Ballantine Ale. ... more

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