Some English men and women understood the New World to be a place of opportunity, where they could create new lives. More common, however, was the belief that the New World was a place of great danger and suffering. This song was written from the perspective of a young girl who was sent to Virginia against her will, where she faced a life of hunger and never-ending work.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Give ear unto a Maid,<\/p>\n That lately was betray’d,<\/p>\n And sent into Virginny O:<\/p>\n In brief I shall declare,<\/p>\n What I have suffered there,<\/p>\n When that I was weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When that first I came<\/p>\n To this Land of Fame,<\/p>\n Which is called Virginny, O;<\/p>\n The Axe and the Hoe<\/p>\n Have wrought my Overthrow,<\/p>\n When that I was weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Five Years served I,<\/p>\n Under Master Guy,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O:<\/p>\n Which made me for to know,<\/p>\n Sorrow, Grief, and Woe;<\/p>\n When that I was weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When my Dame says, Go,<\/p>\n Then I must do so,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O;<\/p>\n When she sits at Meat,<\/p>\n Then I have none to eat,<\/p>\n When that I was weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Cloaths that I brought in,<\/p>\n They are worn very thin,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O;<\/p>\n Which makes me for to say,<\/p>\n Alas, and Well-a-day,<\/p>\n When that I was weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Instead of Beds of Ease,<\/p>\n To lye down when I please,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O,<\/p>\n Upon a Bed of Straw,<\/p>\n I lay down full of Woe,<\/p>\n When that I was weary<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then the Spider she<\/p>\n Daily waits on me,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O;<\/p>\n Round about my Bed,<\/p>\n She spins her tender web,<\/p>\n When that I am weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So soon as it is day,<\/p>\n To work I must away,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O;<\/p>\n Then my Dame she knocks<\/p>\n With her Tinder-box,<\/p>\n When that I am weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I have play’d my part,<\/p>\n Both at Plow and at Cart,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O:<\/p>\n Billats from the Wood,<\/p>\n Upon my back they load,<\/p>\n When that I am weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Instead of drinking Beer,<\/p>\n I drink the Water clear,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O;<\/p>\n Which makes me pale and wan<\/p>\n Do all that e’r I can,<\/p>\n When that I am weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If my Dame says, Go,<\/p>\n I dare not say no,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O:<\/p>\n The Water from the Spring,<\/p>\n Upon my head I bring,<\/p>\n When that I am weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the Mill doth stand,<\/p>\n I’m ready at command,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O:<\/p>\n The Morter for to make,<\/p>\n Which made my heart to ake,<\/p>\n When that I am weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the Child doth cry,<\/p>\n I must sing, By a by;<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O:<\/p>\n No rest that I can have,<\/p>\n Whilst I am here a Slave,<\/p>\n When that I am weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A thousand Woes beside,<\/p>\n That I do here abide,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virginny, O:<\/p>\n In misery I spend<\/p>\n My time that hath no end,<\/p>\n When that I am weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then let Maids beware,<\/p>\n All by my ill-fare,<\/p>\n In the Land of Virgnny, O;<\/p>\n Be sure thou stay at home,<\/p>\n For if you do here come,<\/p>\n You will all be weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary, O.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But if it be my chance,<\/p>\n Homewards to advance,<\/p>\n From the Land of Virginny, O;<\/p>\n If that I once more,<\/p>\n Land on English Shore,<\/p>\n I’ll no more be weary,<\/p>\n weary, weary, weary O.<\/p>\n\n\n
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