The Knitters Jobb  
Or the earnest Suitor of WALTON Town to a fair MAID, With her modest Answers and Conclusion of their intents  
To the Tune of Shackley hay.  
 
 

Within the Town of Walton fair  
a Lovely Las did dwell  
Both Carding, Spinning, Knitting yarn  
she could do all full well:  
This maid she many Suitors had  
some were good and some were bad  
Fa la la la la la la.   

Above the rest one there hard by  
did bear her such good will  
That when he feared to be denied  
himself they thought he'd kill:  
She took no notice of his grief  
he daily went without relief  
Fa la la la la la la.   

She always shunned his company  
and from him turned away  
This young man knew not what to do  
nor what to her to say:  
His heart it was full sore oppressed  
that night nor day he could take rest  
Fa la la la la.   

At length an opportunity  
was offered unto him  
To break his mind unto his Love  
he made bold to begin  
god Cupid's aid he then required  
all things might he as he desired▪  
Fa lafoy lafoy &c.   

Quoth he my dear and only joy  
I must impart my mind  
Thou art the treasure of my heart  
to me be not unkind:  
If thou wilt yield to me thy Love  
I ever constant still will prove  
Fa la la la la &c.   

Thou art so rarely qualified  
so Lovely too withal  
That till I have thy Love obtained  
my Life to me is thrall:  
My sweet Saint grant now my request  
of all thy Sex I love thee best  
Fa la la la la la la la.   

Do not deny me my dear Love  
my Duck my Swan my Dear  
If thout'l love me as I love thee  
what sorrow needst thou fear  
No longer cruel be to me  
I will thy faithful Lover be  
Fa la la &c.   

When that thou dost a Spinning sit  
thy servant I will be  
To bring thy Cards and Wool to thee  
and a kiss shall be my Fee:  
My Nanny I thee needs must have  
i'll be no longer Cupid 〈…〉 be  
Fa la la &c.   

Whilst he did speak a blushing smile  
appeared in her face  
And to be short she did begin  
to yield without disgrace  
What do you mean kind John said she  
fond to set your Love on me  
Fa la la la &c.   

Young men are false, Maids must be wise  
no life like theirs is free  
If you should an ill husband prove  
there's none would pity me:  
I love to live a Virgin Life  
I care not for to be a wife  
Fa la la la la la la.   

If I should yield my Love to you  
my sorrows would begin  
And now the only care I take  
to Card to Knit and Spin:  
I thus do spend my time each day  
whilst married folks sing well a day  
Fa la la la la la la.   

A married Life is full of strife  
I have no mind thereto  
Therefore good John I pray forbear  
far better may you do  
You better had to keep your breath  
I will a Virgin be till death  
Fa la la la &c.   

My Nan said he my Dear my sweet  
my Love, my joy my Life  
Before I go thou shalt here swear  
thou wilt be made my wife  
Oh John quoth she I dare to say  
you will repent another day,  
Fa la fa etc.   

Well John said she I will not swear  
yet yield to you my Love  
Let it suffice I do promise  
to be your Turtle Dove:  
Since that I cannot quiet live  
to you my hand and heart I give  
Fa la fa, etc.   

Quoth he kind heart thou hast me joyus  
thou'rt welcome unto me  
If till to morrow we do live  
we married then will be  
We'll cast away all fear and care  
to kiss my Love I will not spare  
Fa la fa la, etc.   

Like two kind Turtles we will be  
which live and Love together  
Upon the pleasant Downs and Plains  
we'll always keep together  
And when that we come home at night  
to please thee still I will delight  
Fa la fa la fa la.