Sunday Whimsy

I love this modern twist on an old traditional folk song. I believe it goes back to at least the 19th century and is sung under the guise of different titles, for example it's known as Cold Haily Windy Night and as Cold Blow and a Rainy Night in England but as Let Me In This Ae Nicht and as The Laird o' Windy Wa's in Scotland. “Windy walls” is an euphemism for the outdoors. The protagonist comes to the girl's window in bad weather and begs her to let him in. The girl protests but he convinces her to let him in discreetly. He takes her maidenhead and steals away.

My cap is frozen to my head
My heart is like a lump of lead
My shoes are frozen to my feet
With standing at your window

Let me in the soldier cried
Cold haily rainy night
Oh let me in the soldier cried
I'll not go back again, oh

My father's walking on the street
My mother the chamber keys do keep
The doors and windows, they do creak
I dare not let you in O

Let me in the soldier cried
Cold haily rainy night
O let me in the soldier cried
For I'll not go back again O

Oh then she rose and let him in
And kissed his ruby lips and chin
And then they went to bed again
And soon he gained her favor

Then she blessed the rainy night
She rose and let him in O
Now since you had your will of me
Soldier will you marry me ?

No such thing can ever be
So fare you well for ever
Then she cursed the rainy night
Cold haily rainy night

O then she cursed the rainy night
That ever she let him in O
Then he jumped out of bed
He put his cap upon his head
And she had lost her maidenhead
And her mother heard the din O

Then she cursed the rainy night
Cold haily rainy night
O then she cursed the rainy night
That ever she let him in O