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