Cold Blow and the Rainy Night

Me hat is frozen to me head

My body is like a lump of lead

My shoes is frozen to me feet

With standin at your window

O let me come in the soldier cried

Cold blow and the rainy night

Oh let me come in the soldier cried

I'll never go back again, oh

Well, me father is workin down the street

Me mother the bedroom keys does keep

Me door and windows all do creak

I cannot let you in O

O let me come in the soldier cried

Cold blow and the rainy night

Let me come in the soldier cried

I'll never go back again, oh

Then she got up and let him in

And she kissed his ruby lips and chin

They went back to bed again

And the soldier he won her favour

Then she blessed the rainy night

Cold blow and the rainy night

Then she blessed the rainy night

That ever she’d let him in, Oh.

Well now you’ve had your way with me

Oh soldier, won’t you marry me ?

No, me love, that never can be

So fare thee well for ever.

Then she cursed the rainy night

Cold blow and the rainy night

Then she cursed the rainy night

That ever she’d let him in, Oh.

Then he jumped up out of the bed

And he put his hat upon his head

She had lost her maidenhead

And her mammy had heard the [jingle]/[din O]

Then she cursed the rainy night

Cold blow and the rainy night

Then she cursed the rainy night

That ever she’d let him in O

Nineteenth century broadside from Baring-Gould collection. Printed in Seeds of Love. Recorded by Steeleye Span on Please to See the King and by Planxty on Cold Blow and the Rainy Night. Alternative title; Cold Haily Rainy Night. Words adjusted by Bob Murray.