“Martinmas Time”
Description
Troop of soldiers forces farmer's daughter to promise she will come to their quarters that night. She arrives in disguise, but the quartermaster sends her away. She leaves her garters and ribbons tied to the gates to prove she'd been there.
Long description
Troop of soldiers forces farmer's daughter to promise she will come to their quarters that night; she has her hair cut off and dresses in men's clothes. She goes to the soldiers' quarters, asking for lodgings for another troop of soldiers, but the quartermaster sends her away, saying there is no more room. She persists; he gives her money, for "tonight there comes a wench." She leaves her garters and ribbons tied to the gates to prove she'd been there, then blows a whistle, saying "you're not for a girl at all," and goes home in triumph
Cross references
- cf. "The Broomfield Hill" (Child 43) and references there
Recordings
- Anne Briggs, "Martinmas Time" (on BirdBush1, BirdBush2, Briggs3)
References
- Ord, pp. 308-309, "It Fell About the Martinmas Time" (1 text)
- DT, MARTINMA*
- Roud #2173
- BI, DTmartin