John Blunt

There was an old couple lived under the hill
Blunt it was their name-o
They kept good fare and ale for to sell
And it brought them wonderful fame-o
John Blunt and his wife they drank of the drink
Until they could drink no more-o
They both got tired and they went up to bed
And forgot to bar the door-o

So they a bargain, bargain made
Made it strong and sure-o
The first of them should speak the first word
Should get up and bar the door-o

Well, there came travellers, travellers three
Travelling in the night-o
No bolts, no bar, no fire alight
Nor yet no candlelight-o

They went to his cellar, they drank up his drink
Until they could drink no more-o
But never a word did the old couple speak
For fear who should bar the door-o

They went to his larder, they ate up his food
Until they could eat no more-o
But never a word did the old couple speak
For fear who should bar the door-o

They went upstairs, they went to his room
They broke down the door-o
But never a word did the old couple speak
For fear who should bar the door-o

They hauled his wife all out of the bed
Laid her out on the floor-o

Then up got poor John Blunt in his bed
For he could take no more-o

Saying, "You've eaten me food, drunk all me drink
Laid me wife on the floor-o

You spoke the first word, John Blunt," she said
"So go down and bar the door-o"