Martin Carthy & Eliza Carthy - Her Servant Man lyrics

rate me

It's of a damsel both fair & handsome

These lines are true as I have been told

On the banks of Shannon in a lofty mansion

Her father chambered great stores of gold

Her hair was black as a raven's feather

Her form & features to describe who can

But still this folly belongs to nature

For she fell in luv with her servant man

As these two luvers were fondly talkin'

Her father heard them and near them drew

As these two luvers were together walkin'

In anger home her father flew

For to build a dungeon was his intention

& to part true lovers he contrived to plan

He swore by oaths & powers to mention

He would part his fair 1 from her servant man

To build a dungeon was his intention

To part true luv he contrived to plan

He swore an oath on all his mansion

He would part his fair 1 from her servant man

His dungeon it was of bricks & mortar

With a flight of steps bein' underground

The food he gave her was bread & water

No bed nor blanket for her was found

Three times a day he did sorely beat her

Till to her father she cryin' began

“O if I've transgressed, my own dear father

Yet I'll live & die for my servant man

Young Edwin he found her habitation

It was protected with an iron door

He vowed in spite of all the nation

He would set her free or would rest no more

Now after leisure he toiled with pleasure

How he'd gain releasement for his Mary Ann

He gained his object, set free his treasure

She cried, “My faithful young servant man

But when he found his daughter vanished

Like a lion he began to roar

Sayin', Out of Ireland you shall be banished

With my broadsword I will shed your gore

Well I agree, cried Edwin, It's at your leisure

Since I've released her now do all you can

Oh forgive your daughter, I will die with pleasure

For the 1 in fault it is your servant man

But when he saw him so tender hearted

Down he fell onto the dungeon floor,

Cryin', such true luvers can ne'er be parted

Since luv has entered in an iron door

So they were joined to be parted neva

& to roll in riches this young couple can

& this fair young lady she rules in pleasure

For to live fo' eva with her servant man