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Lyrics |
Come all you people far and near, These melancholy lines you will hear, Of a young man and his true love, Whom he ador'd and prized above, All Riches in this world below, And that you may most truly know, Alas he was a Scholar bright, In learning he took great delight. He was a mayor's only Son, Alas for Love he was undone, He was but eighteen years of age, When first in love he did engage. His Father unto him did say, My dearest Son you must obey, You know she is of low degree, And come of a poor Family. Why after Her then will you go, She will prove your fatal overthrow, The Young Man made this reply, What doth all riches signify. Divers was rich, kind sir we read, And far'd sumptuously indeed, Divers did Die, kind Sire we read, And went to misery indeed. Lazarus did die we read also, To Abrahams bosom he did go, I had rather sir my true love have And live with her here in a cave, Than to have all riches here below, And not enjoy my love also, His mother said my Son be still, For 'tis in vain to set up your will. We will adorn you in ornaments of gold Riches and honor for to behold, And all that we have we'll on you bestow, If after her you will not go. He was but twenty years of age, When first in a Ministry he did engage, He was called to Rochester to Preach, And there the Gospel he did teach. They sot by him exceedingly, And settled him in the ministry. One night he went his love to see, Hoping to enjoy her company. So turned this young man out of doors, And bade him come there no more, And thus this couple he did part, Which proved the means to brake their hearts. The Damsel her chamber did take, Solitary mourns to make, She often times would sigh and cry, Saying Lord prepare me to die. I cannot, for I must, I must die, And hasten to eternity, For I must leave this world behind, His Riches must new masters find. After many petitions they did send, And much upon her they did spend, But all Petitions was in vain, For still in love she did remain. Unto her brother one day she said, I long once more my love to see, Her Brother one day to him did go, And let him of sorrows know. When the matter he did know, Unto the Damsel he did go, Madam what makes you look so pale, My dear what makes your courage fail. Your cheeks were one cherry red, Methinks you look as pale as lead, Your eyes were black as any crow, Down to the Grave methinks you'll go, Out in these words, she thus, did brake, Saying kind Sire for your sake, May God forgive my Patents dear, They have been cruel and severe. I can forgive them, then said she, I am going to eternity, May God forgive them for the same, They have been greatly to blame. Farewell my Brothers and Sisters dear, See that you do live in Gods fear, Mind what your dying Sister say, See that you do in secret pray. Farewell dear and loving mate, No longer for for you can I wait, For God doth call and I must go, And leave you in this world below. Rings from her fingers she did take, Saying kind Sir keep them for may sake, And every time these rings you see, Remember that I died for thee. She gave a sigh, a bitter weep, And fell into a silent sleep, She bade the world a long adieu, And every creature that she knew. Tears down his cheek like fountains run, Crying alas I am undone, No comfort shall I ever have, I'll go in mourning to my Grave. Next day to her Funeral he did go, Drest all in mourning from top to toe, Soon after that distracted run, And so for love he was undone. Come all you Parents far and near, These melancholy lines you'll hear, I beg you would a warning take, And never matches try to break. Come all you People far and nigh, Remember that you are born to die, Set not your hearts on things below, For love has proved my overthrow. He wanders up and down alone, And doth daily weep and mourn, He has mourned for about thirty years, And never can enjoy it here. |
