Thomas Ravenscroft, "A Wooing Song of a Yeoman of Kent's Son," Melismata # 22, 1611. Arrangement for solo voice (c) 2002 Justin Eiler.
Notes: The sad and sorry thing is, this may be Elizabethan courtship at its finest! I made some very minor changes to make this a solo piece.
I have house and land in Kent And if you love me, love me now. Two-pence, half-penny is my rent, I cannot come every day to woo. Two-pence, half-penny is my rent, I cannot come every day to woo. I am my father's eldest son, My mother, she does love me well. For I can bravely tie my shoe, And I can, full well, ring a bell. For I can bravely tie my shoe, And I can, full well, ring a bell. My father gave to me a hog, My mother gave to me a sow. I have a god-father dwells nearby, And on me he bestowed a plow. I have a god-father dwells nearby, And on me he bestowed a plow. One time I gave thee a paper of pins, Another time a tawdry lace, And if you will not be my love, Then I may die before your face. And if you will not be my love, Then I may die before your face. I have been, twice, our Whitsun Lord, I have had ladies, many fair. And yet you have my heart to hold, which to my mind seems passing rare. And yet you have my heart to hold, which to my mind seems passing rare. I will put on my best white slop And I will wear my yellow hose. And on my head a good, gray hat, In it, I'll stick a lovely rose. And on my head a good, gray hat, In it, I'll stick a lovely rose. Wherefore cease off, make no delay, And if you love me, love me now. Or else I'll seek some other heart, For I cannot come every day to woo. Or else I'll seek some other heart, For I cannot come every day to woo.