The Ballad of Midsomer County

Come sit by me all you Fine lords and laddies And I'll tell you the tale Of the young John Henry He met a fair maiden One bright May morning As he went a-hunting In Midsomer County And pale was the skin Of the Midsomer maiden Blue were he eyes As blue as the sea And on her fair head Lay a garland of flowers Sweet were the roses Of Midsomer County But young men don't stray This maiden will lead you away Come to go, rest now Said the Midsomer maiden You're weary from traveling That I can see Let us go home now Over yonder the Greenwood Come taste the fruits Of Midsomer County She led him on through The Midsomer Greenwood Til they came to a hut By a juniper tree She said, Sir, won't you Come sit by my fire You'll eat like the king Of Midsomer County But young men don't stray This maiden will lead you away She brought him fine ale And she brought him supper Fresh eggs and live eels For young John Henry She said, Come, eat your fill And whe you are sated You'll stay with me here In Midsomer County And, Alas, I cannot stay Said young John Henry I'm bound to another Soon married I'll be And I thank ye for supper My kind and fair maiden Now I must leave here Midsomer County But young men don't stray This maiden will lead you away Well, up went the cry Of the Midsomer maiden For shame and for shame For you have tricked me You're bound to me now I am your lover I swear you'll not leave here Midsomer County Cold was the blade Of the Midsomer maiden Soft was the neck Of young John Henry And warm was the blood That flowed from his body Red as the roses Of Midsomer County But young men don't stray This maiden will lead you away But deep in the Greenwood Of Midsomer County Lies young John Henry As cold as can be No headstone to mark him No lover to grieve him Save for the roses Of Midsomer County But young men don't stray This maiden will lead you away