This song was communicated to Ralph Dunstan in August 1931 by R. J. Noall, Cornish historian and one of the founder member of the Old Cornwall Movement.  He recalled it from the singing of his mother when he was a child.  Dunstan published it in his Cornish Dialect and Folk Song Collection (Ralph Dunstan. Cornish Dialect and Folk Songs, Truro, Jordan’s Bookshop, 1932).

In was recorded by Brenda Wootton in 1971 Album “Pasties and Cream” with John the Fish.

Lyrics from Brenda Woottons singing:

Yes Betsy Watson is my name

I brought myself to grief and shame

By loving one who never loved me

I brought myself to misery

 

I wish, I wish, but all in vain

I wish I was a child again

A-playing at my mother’s knee

But now I know that ne’er can be

 

There is a house all in our town

Where my love goes and he sits him down

He takes another girl on his knee

Oh, don’t you think it’s a grief to me

 

There is a plant all known to fame

They say sweet heartsease is its name

Oh that this plant I now could find

To ease the aching of my mind

 

One day this plant she gathered

And in the forest she made her bed

She laid her down no word she spoke

Alas for love her heart was broke

 

Now in the forest may be seen

A little mound that is growing green

And maidens all a warning take

Or some false love your heart may break