It's cold and raw the north winds blow
Black in the morning early
When all the hills were covered with snow,
Oh then it was winter fairly,
As I riding was riding o'er the moor,
I met a farmer's daughter,
Her cherry cheeks and sloe black eyes,
They caused my heart to falter.

I bowed my bonnet very low
To let her know my meaning.
She answered with a courteous smile,
Her looks they were engaging.
"Where are you bound my pretty maid,
It's now in the morning early."
The answer that she made to me,
"Kind sir to sell me barley."

"Now twenty guineas I've in my purse,
And twenty more that's yearly,
You need not go to the market town,
For I'll buy all your barley.
If twenty gunieas would gain the heart
Of the maid I love so dearly,
All for to tarry with me one night,
And go home in the morning early."

As I was riding o'er the moor
The very evening after,
It was my fortune for to meet
The farmer's only daughter.
Although the weather being cold and raw,
With her I thought to parley.
This answer then she made to me,
"Kind sir I've sold me barley."