Sweet Hellen of the Dee/The Rigs of Hallow-fair

by Anonymous

THE RIGS OF HALLOW-FAIR.

I know that young folks like to hear a new Song
And something that's funny, and not very long;
And I have one here that will make you smile,
And you have no occasion to stop a long while.

My Song is concerning All-Hallow-Fair,
Where people of all ages do yearly repair;
The roads they are lin'd, only see the maids flock,
In their long worsted gowns, without e'er a smock.

And when at the fair they all do arrive,
Like a bed full of fleas they are all jumping alive!
Such a stuffing and squeezing, and pushing about,
Poor Moll cries, Alas! you will shove my guts out.

Some to public-houses they do choose to walk,
And others with their sweethearts incline to talk,
Some have their hands full of ginger-bread nuts,
And many with sweetmeats stuffing their guts.

Each lad brings his favourite lass to the fair,
To buy her a fairing, when he gets her there;
And some get a fairing which I darna tell,
but in a very short time they'll ken themsel'.

So all pretty girls that go to the fair,
Of coaxing young fellows I'd have you take care,
For young men love kissing, so from it keep free,
Or in less than ten months you'll sing lullababy.

 

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