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)