Fair Nottamun Town [w/ Jean Ritchie] Lyrics

In fair Nottamun Town not a soul would look up,
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down,
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down,
To show me the way to fair Nottamun Town.

I rode a grey horse, a mule roan mare
Grey mare and grey tail, a green stripe down her back
Grey mare and grey tail, a green stripe down her back
There wasn't a hair on her be-what was coal black

She stood so still, she threw me to the dirt
She tore my hide and she bruised my shirt
From saddle to stirrup I mounted again
And on my ten toes I rode over the plain

Met the king and the queen, and a company more
A-riding behind and a-marching before
Came a stark naked drummer a-beating the drum
With his heels in his bosom, come marching along.

They laughed and they smiled, not a soul did look gay
They talked for a while, not a word did they say
I bought me a quart to drive gladness away
And to stifle the dust, for it rained the whole day

Sat down on a hard, hot cold frozen stone,
Ten thousand stood 'round me, yet I was alone
Took my hat in my hands for to keep my head warm,
Ten thousand got drowned that never was born.

(Repeat first verse)