Eggs In Her Basket Lyrics & Chords By Martin Carthy

It is of two sailor lads both set out a-walking
With their pockets a-being both lined with gold.
As they went a-walking and civilly talking,
Oh some fair pretty damsel they do behold.

Oh one of those young men
"Should I chance for to carry your basket?"
"Oh there's eggs in the basket oh do take care.
And if you should chance to out-walk me,
At the Half-way House you'll find me later there."

These two young men oh they start out boldly
Until they come to the Half-way House.
And it's: "Landlord, oh landlord, go start the kitchen,
Oh, for you'll need your saucepan and skillet now."
And it's: "Landlord, oh landlord, take back the blanket,
Oh, for we'll give you bacon and eggs to fry."

Oh that landlord went out to the basket,
A-thinking he'd got eggs to fry.
"Oh, say, young man, ain't you mistaken,
Oh, for in this basket we've got a child."

Up steps this young Nancy, o dearest Nancy,
That he'd taken to bed on last Whitsuntide.
"We got this young child since I take your fancy,
So now the gay fiddler you've got to pay."

"That child's not ours, lovely Nancy,
He's no babe of mine nor no friend's beside,
Here's fifty golds I'll give anybody
If she'll take care of this little child."
"Oh, I will take it, I'll kindly treat it
If you will say all my money's paid"

Oh that young man went up to the basket,
He's kicked it around and around the floor.
"Uh, since it is done I will surely pay it,
But damn me if I do eat eggs any more."