KEYS TO CANTERBURY
(learned from Toby Lighthizer in about 1964)
Oh, madam, I will give to you the keys to Canterbury
Oh, no, I'll not accept of you the keys to Canterbury
Oh, madam, I will give to you a pair of boots of cork,
Oh, no, I'll not accept of you a pair of boots of cork,
Oh, madam, I will give to you a little golden bell,
Oh, no, I'll not accept of you a little golden bell,
Oh, madam, I will give to you a gallant silver chest,
Oh, no, I'll not accept of you a gallant silver chest,
Oh, madam, I will give to you an embroidered silken gown,
Oh, no, I won't accept of you an embroidered silken gown,
Oh, madam, I will give to you the keys to my heart,
Oh, yes I will accept of you the keys to your heart
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
And all the bells of London town will ring to make us merry
If you will be my bride, my sweetheart and my dear,
If you will walk with me anywhere.
Though all the bells of London should ring to make us merry
And I'll not be your bride, your sweetheart nor your dear,
And I'll not walk with you anywhere.
Though one was made in London and the other was made in York,
If you will be my bride, my sweetheart and my dear,
If you will walk with me anywhere.
Though both were made in London or both were made in York,
And I'll not be your bride, your sweetheart nor your dear,
And I'll not walk with you anywhere.
To ring for all your servants and to make them serve you well,
If you will be my bride, my sweetheart and my dear,
If you will walk with me anywhere.
To ring for all my servants and to make them serve me well,
And I'll not be your bride, your sweetheart nor your dear,
And I'll not walk with you anywhere.
With a key of golden silver and jewels of the best,
If you will be my bride, my sweetheart and my dear,
If you will walk with me anywhere.
With a key of golden silver and jewels of the best,
And I'll not be your bride, your sweetheart nor your dear,
And I'll not walk with you anywhere.
With nine yards a-drooping and a-trailing on the ground,
If you will be my bride, my sweetheart and my dear,
If you will walk with me anywhere.
With nine yards a-drooping and a-trailing on the ground,
And I'll not be your bride, your sweetheart nor your dear,
And I'll not walk with you anywhere.
And all the love that's in it and we nevermore shall part,
If you will be my bride, my sweetheart and my dear,
If you will walk with me anywhere.
And all the love that's in it and we nevermore shall part,
And I'll will be your bride, your sweetheart and your dear,
And I'll will walk with you anywhere.