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Sir Hugh, or the Jew’s Daughter

No: 155; variant: 155F

  1. 'TWAS on a summer's morning Some scholars were playing at ball, When out came the Jew's daughter And leand her back against the wall.
  2. She said unto the fairest boy, Come here to me, Sir Hugh; 'No! I will not,' said he, 'Without my playfellows too.'
  3. She took an apple out of her pocket, And trundled it along the plain, And who was readiest to lift it Was little Sir Hugh again.
  4. She took him by the milk-white han, An led him through many a hall, Until they came to one stone chamber, Where no man might hear his call.
  5. She set him in a goolden chair, And jaggd him with a pin, And called for a goolden cup To houl his heart's blood in.
  6. She tuk him by the yellow hair, An also by the feet, An she threw him in the deep draw-well; It was fifty fadom deep.
  7. Day bein over, the night came on, And the scholars all went home; Then every mother had her son, But little Sir Hugh's had none.
  8. She put a mantle about her head, Tuk a little rod in her han, An she says, Sir Hugh, if I fin you here, I will bate you for stayin so long.
  9. First she went to the Jew's door, But they were fast asleep; An then she went to the deep draw-well, That was fifty fadom deep.
  10. She says, Sir Hugh, if you be here, As I suppose you be, If ever the dead or quick arose, Arise and spake to me.
  11. 'Yes, mother dear, I am here, I know I have staid very long; But a little penknife was stuck in my heart, Till the stream ran down full strong.
  12. 'And mother dear, when you go home, Tell my playfellows all That I lost my life by leaving them, When playing that game of ball.
  13. 'And ere another day is gone, My winding-sheet prepare, And bury me in the green churchyard, Where the flowers are bloomin fair.
  14. 'Lay my Bible at my head, My Testament at my feet; the earth and worms shall be my bed, Till Christ and I shall meet.'