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.

• Artist:Seth Lakeman