The Northern Lasses lamentation, OR The unhappy Maid's Misfortune  
Since she did from her friends depart  
No earthly thing can cheer her heart  
But still she doth her case Lament,  
Being always filled with discontent,  
Resolving to do nought but mourn,  
Till to the North she doth return  
To the tune I would I were in my own Country.  
With Allowance.  
 
 

A North Country Lass  
up to London did pass  
Although with her Nature it did not agree  
which made her repent  
and so often Lament  
Still wishing again in the North for to be,  
O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Jvy Tree  
doth flourish at home in my own Country.   

fain would I be  
in the North Country  
Where the lads and the lasses are making of hay  
there should I see  
what is pleasant to me  
A mischief light on them enticed me away,  
O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Jvy Tree,  
doth flourish most bravely in our Country,   

Since that I came forth  
of the pleasant North  
there's nothing delightful I see doth abound,  
they never can be  
half so merry as we  
When we are a dancing of Sellinger's round.  
O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Jvy Tree,  
doth flourish at home in our own Country.   

I like not the Court  
nor the City resort  
Since there no fancy for such maids as me,  
their pomp and their pride  
I can never abide  
Because with my humour it doth not agree  
O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Jvy Tree,  
doth flourish at home in my own country.   

How oft have I been  
On the Westmoreland green  
Where the young men and Maidens resort for to play  
where we with delight  
from morning till night  
Could feast it and Frolic on each Holiday  
O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Jvy Tree,  
They flourish most bravely in our country.   

A Milking to go  
All the Maids on a row  
It was a fine sight and pleasant to see.  
but here in the City  
they are void of pity  
There is no in enjoyment of Liberty,  
O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Jvy Tree,  
They flourish most bravely in our Country.   

When I had the heart  
From my friends to depart  
I though I should be a Lady at last  
but now I do find  
that it troubles my mind  
Because that my joys and my pleasure is past,  
O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Jvy Tree,  
They flourish at home, etc.   

The yows and the Lambs  
With the Kids and their dams  
To see in the Country how finely they play  
the Bells they do ring  
and the Birds they do sing  
And the fields and the gardens so pleasant and 〈◊〉  
O the Oak, and the Ash, and the bonny Jvy 〈◊〉  
They flourish most bravely in our Country.   

At Wakes and at Fairs  
Being void of all cares.  
we there with our Lovers did use for to dance,  
then hard hap had I  
my ill fortune to try  
And so up to London my steps to advance,  
O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree  
They, etc.   

Yet still I perceive  
I a husband might have  
If I to the City my mind could but frame,  
but i'll have a Lad  
That is North-Countrey bred  
Or else i'll not marry inh ' mind that I am.  
O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree  
They flourish, etc.   

A maiden I am  
And a maid i'll remain  
Until my own Country again I do see  
for here in this place  
I shall ner' see the face  
Of him that's allotted my Love for to be.  
O the Oak, the Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree  
They flourish, etc.   

Then farewell my Daddy  
Ind farewell my Mammy,  
Until I do see you I nothing but mourn  
Remembering my Brothers  
my Sisters & others,  
In less than a year I hope to return.  
Then the Oak and Ash, and the bonny Ivy Tree,  
I shall see them at home in my own Country.