King Pharim sat a-musing,
A musing all alone;
There came a blessed Saviour,
And all to him unknown.

"Say, where did you come from, good man,
Oh, where did you then pass?"
"It is out of the land Egypt,
Between an ox and ass."

"Oh, if you come out of Egypt, man,
One thing I fain would know,
Whether a blessed Virgin Mary
Sprung from an Holy Ghost?

For if this is true, is true, good man,
That you've been telling to me,
That roasted cock do crow three times
In the place where they did stand."

Oh, it's straight away the cock did fetch,
And fethered to your own hand,
Three times a roasted cock did crow,
On the place where they did stand.

Joseph, Jesus and Mary
Were a-travelling for the west,
When Mary grew a-tired
She might sit down and rest.

They travelled further and further,
The weather being so warm,
Till the cam unto some husbandman
A-sowing of his corn.

"Come husbandman!" cried Jesus,
"From over speed and pride,
And carry home your ripened corn
That you've been sowing this day.

For to keep your wife and family
From sorrow, grief and pain,
And keep Christ in your remembrance
Till the time comes round again."

abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Jones, L, 1998, Miss Broadwood's Delight, Ferret Publications.Sutton Coldfield

Notes:
This book was prepared by Lewis Jones from songs collected by Lucy Broadwood and is obtainable from Ferret Publications (see their web pages.)

This song was collected from the Goby Family and was published by Lucy Broadwood in English Traditional Songs and Carols, published in 1908 by Boosey and Co., London and New York.

I have given the words of the 'original version' - the book also includes a restored version, the biggest change being to correct a theologically dubious verse to:

Oh, if you come out of Egypt, man,
One thing I ween thou know'st:
Is Jesus sprung of Mary
And of the Holy Ghost?


Roud: 306 (Search Roud index at VWML)
Laws:
Child: 55

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Related Songs:  Carnal and the Crane (thematic) King Herod and the Cock (thematic)