The Weaver and the Factory Maid

[folklounge]

Hi folks,

I'm not sure if this group is still active, but I am looking for the lyrics and chords to 'The Weaver and the Factory Maid'. I notice that most of the posts are about Alistair's original songs, rather than his arrangements of traditional material, please let me know if that is by policy. If I find the information myself I will post it in this thread.

Cheers,

Daniel.

[folklounge]

I found the lyrics, Alistair's version on 'In Sleepy Scotland' uses a subset of the verses from the Steeleye Span version, and also changes quite a few of the phrasings. I put the chords together, not perfect but good enough for my YouTube recording: youtu.be/gVe0RmXmoAI


G            C      G      F       G
I am a hand weaver, to me trade
G                            C      G
I fell in love with a factory maid
G                              F     G
And if I could but her favour win
    G        F                  G
I'd sit beside her and weave by steam

My father scornful unto me said
"How could you fancy a factory maid?
"When you could have girls both fine and gay
"And dressed like unto the Queen of May?"

But for your fine girls, I do not care
If I could but enjoy my dear
I'd stand in the factory all the day
And she and I'd keep our shuttles in play

I went to my love's bedroom door
Where I had been oft times before
But I could not speak nor yet get in
To the pleasant bed where my love lay in

How can you say call its a pleasant bed
When naught lies there but a factory maid?
A factory lass although she be
Blessed be the man that enjoys she

Pleasant thoughts ran to my mind
When I pulled down her sheets so fine
And see her two breasts standing so
Like two white hills all covered in snow

Where are the girls? I'll tell you plain
The girls have all gone to weave by steam
And if you would find them, you must rise at dawn
And trudge to the mill in the early morn.