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,
When he went a-hunting
In Midsomer County.

And pale was the skin
Of the Midsomer maiden,
Blue were her 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 when 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'
'And I am your lover.'
'I swear you'll not leave here'
'Midsomer County.'

Cold was the blade
Of the Midsomer maiden.
And 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 from the roses
Of Midsomer County.

But young men don't stray.
This maiden will lead you away.