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
As he went a-hunting
In Midsomer County
And pale was the skin
Of the Midsomer maiden
Blue were he 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 whe 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
I am your lover
I swear you'll not leave here
Midsomer County
Cold was the blade
Of the Midsomer maiden
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 for the roses
Of Midsomer County
But young men don't stray
This maiden will lead you away
