Fair Susan

When I was a young man i would visit all my lands
the townsfolk and the countryside where mine to command
the endless fields of barley stretching out like golden seas
the care of all my tenants and all those sworn to me

While I was strolling on the road that led to Cobble Hill
I say her walking homeward and my heart it did stand still
she sang a song as she went down the road a gentle happy song
so soft and sweet i couldn't help but turn and tag along

Fair Susan they called her
the young blacksmiths daughter
her eyes filled with laughter
and her heart filled with cheer

Three of us came forward
with intentions to court her
those that could afford her
and hold her most dear

Mark was a baron who was looking for a wife
and Tommy was the Butchers son, who'd know her all his life
and I the lord of all the land, a handsome chap was i
and if she would just answer yes than i would make her mine

the seasons changed she did arrange to meet us every week
we were young and foolish so in this we did compete
until the day that she did say she's ready to decide
whoever brings the perfect gift than i shall be his bride



Fair Susan they called her
the young blacksmiths daughter
her eyes filled with laughter
and her heart filled with cheer

Three of us came forward
with intentions to court her
those that could afford her
and hold her most dear

I ran to all the nearest towns and tore apart the stores

looking for the perfect gift that any could afford

until i found and emerald that glittered like her eyes

i had a plan for that green gem, a wonderful surprise

and so i travelled to her home and much to my chagrin

were Mark and Tommy by the gate just waiting to let in

Mark did smile triumphantly and held aloft his bag

while Tommy held a sheet of paper looking tired and ragged

Fair Susan they called her
the young blacksmiths daughter
her eyes filled with laughter
and her heart filled with cheer

Three of us came forward
with intentions to court her
those that could afford her
and hold her most dear

Mark was first to offer up his token of esteem

a beautiful pearl necklace that caught the light and gleaned,

Fair Susan squealed and thanked the man it gave me quite a fright

so i stepped forward gallently to present to her my find

with a flourish i revealed a gold and emerald band

asking her to be my wife and help me rule the land

she gazed upon the wedding ring with nothing short of awe

and turned to Tommy, last of us, to see what he had brought

Fair Susan they called her
the young blacksmiths daughter
her eyes filled with laughter
and her heart filled with cheer

Three of us came forward
with intentions to court her
those that could afford her
and hold her most dear

Tommy coughed and stood on up a true and worried wreck

to see such girts beyond his means and beyond his prospects

"I have no pearls nor emeralds as presents for your hand,

I come to you, Fair Susan, as a fellow village man.

"And if you would but listen to, the words i've written here,

I have for you a promise that you may hold most dear,

and if nothing else persuades you then i will simply go

but give me just a second so you can fully know.

"Dear Susan, I love you,

and i've always loved you

i promise to be true

and stay at your side

and since we both were small

i've loved you through it all

summer winter fall

would you be my bride?"

No one spoke for quite some time, the silence dragging on,

Tommy stayed just long enough to pack then he was gone

Susan look as us, nervously, and put our gifts before

then she said 'escuse me' and then ran out the door

Young Tommy and Fair Susan were wedding in the fall

the townsfolk came to celebrate the happy pair and all

I learned that somethings can be bought, and some can be persuade

but love is best when spoken out, if you want to win the maid.

Fair Susan they called her
the young blacksmiths daughter
her eyes filled with laughter
and her heart filled with cheer

Three of us came forward
with intentions to court her
those that could afford her
and hold her most dear