
Laurel A. Rockefeller
Lyrics: Quoth John to Joan (medieval)

His Red Eminence is the first song I learned to sing in the Society for Creative Anachronism: Quoth John to Joan. Though there is a late Tudor version of this song, I prefer the original medieval version I learned all those years ago.
Quoth John to Joan
English
Quoth John to Joan wilt thou have me?
I prithee now wilt and I’se marry with thee.
My cow, my calf, my horse, my rents,
And all my lands and tenements.
O say my Joan wilt not that do?
I cannot come ev’ry day to woo.
O say my Joan wilt not that do?
I cannot come ev’ry day to woo.
I’ve corn and hay in the barn hard by,
And three fat hogs pent up in the sty;
I have a mare and she is coal-black;
I ride on her tail to save her back.
O say my Joan wilt not that do?
I cannot come ev’ry day to woo.
O say my Joan wilt not that do?
I cannot come ev’ry day to woo.
I have a cheese upon the shelf.
And I cannot eat it all myself.
I’ve three good marks that lie in rag,
In the nook of the chimney instead of a bag.
O say my Joan wilt not that do?
I cannot come ev’ry day to woo.
O say my Joan wilt not that do?
I cannot come ev’ry day to woo.
To marry I would have thy consent,
But faith, I never could compliment.
I can say nought but hoy gee ho!
Words that belong to the cart and the plough.
O say my Joan wilt not that do?
I cannot come ev’ry day to woo.
O say my Joan wilt not that do?
I cannot come ev’ry day to woo.