As I was a-walking one morning by chance
I heard a maid making her moan
I asked what was the matter, she said in a flutter
I'm obliged to lie tumbling alone, alone,
I'm obliged to lie tumbling alone.

I said: My fair maid, where did you come from
Or are you some distance from home?
My home, replies she, is a burden to me
For I'm obliged to lie tumbling alone, alone,
I'm obliged to lie tumbling alone.

When I was eleven, sweethearts I had seven
But then I was fitting for none
But now I am fit ne'er a one can I get
For I'm obliged to lie tumbling alone, alone,
I'm obliged to lie tumbling alone.

My sister a girl was wed at sixteen
And she has fine babes of her own
And here I am now in my sweet twenty-one
I'm obliged to lie tumbling alone, alone,
I'm obliged to lie tumbling alone.

I wish some brisk fellow would pity my case
And make me a bride of his own
For I vow and declare I shall die in despair
If I lie one night longer alone, alone,
If I lie one night longer alone.


abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Everyman's Book of English Country Songs - edited by Roy Palmer

Notes:
Collected by Lucy Broadwood from the singing of Henry Burstow of Horsham, Sussex. (2nd May, 1893)

This first appeared in Lucy Broadwood's book English Traditional Songs and Carols (1908), where it was called I Must Live All Alone; the text was substantially modified (See here. The songs in that book are available (though without all the notes, and with the piano accompaniments removed), as Miss Broadwood's Delight: Folk Songs from Sussex and Other English Counties, from Ferret Publications.



Roud: 1059 (Search Roud index at VWML)
Laws:
Child:

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Related Songs:  I Must Live All Alone (thematic)