The Maid That Sold Her Barley



It's cold and raw the north winds blow

Black in the morning early

When all the hills were covered with snow

Oh then it was winter fairly

As I was riding o'er the moor

I met a farmer's daughter

Her cherry cheeks and sloe-black hair

They caused my heart to falter



I bowed my bonnet very low

To let her know my meaning

She answered with a courteous smile

Her looks they were engaging

"Where are you bound, my pretty maid

It's now in the morning early?"

The answer that she made to me

"Kind sir, to sell me barley"



"Now twenty guineas I've in my purse

And twenty more that's yearly

You need not go to the market town

For I'll buy all your barley

If twenty guineas would gain the heart

Of the maid I love so dearly

All for to tarry with me one night

And go home in the morning early"



As I was riding o'er the moor

The very evening after

It was my fortune for to meet

The farmer's only daughter

Although the weather being cold and raw

With her I thought to parley

The answer then she made to me

"Kind sir, I've sold me barley"