The Young Servant Man | She Was Locked in a Dungeon for Loving a Servant...

The Young Servant Man – An Irish Ballad of Iron Doors and Unbreakable Love

Some songs don’t just tell a story — they trap you in it. “The Young Servant Man” is one of those rare Irish ballads that wraps its melody around a tale of love, punishment, and unexpected redemption.

Originally collected by Lucy Broadwood in Sussex in 1901, this version is linked to a melody found in Bunting’s Ancient Music of Ireland — a tune with deep Irish roots and English print-life, shared under names like “The Cruel Father” and “Two Affectionate Lovers.” No matter its origin, its soul is unmistakably Irish.

The tale centers around a nobleman’s daughter who falls deeply for a servant. Her beauty is described as unmatched, and her heart as loyal — a contrast to her father’s wrath. When the romance is uncovered, the father doesn’t merely scold or forbid. He builds a dungeon. A literal one. Stone walls, bread and water, daily beatings — all meant to crush love.

But love in Irish ballads never dies so easily. The servant, Edwin, discovers the prison and, in secret, begins to dig. The lyrics speak of toil done “with pleasure,” driven by love not duty. When at last he reaches her and breaks open the iron door, it is she who cries out in joy — calling him “my faithful young servant man.”

The story doesn't end there. The father returns with a sword and threats of bloodshed. But Edwin doesn’t run. He stands. He declares his love openly and prepares to suffer for it.

And then the twist: the father, seeing such resolve, relents. Love has entered where hate and stone could not. He forgives. They marry. And the young woman, once locked beneath ground, now walks freely beside the man she chose.

This recording revives the ballad in its full emotional force. Delivered in a traditional Irish voice and accompanied by fiddle, whistle, and bodhrán, it echoes like a ghost story — but with warmth. It reminds us that even the cruelest walls fall to the right kind of love.

Let this song move you. It’s old, but it speaks to something eternal: that love, once kindled, is hard to bury.





LYRICS

It's of a damsel both fair and handsome, These lines are true, as I've been told. Near the banks of Shannon, in a lofty mansion, Her father garnered great stores of gold. Her hair was black as raven's feather, Her form and features oh! describe who can? But still, it's a folly belongs to Nature: She fell in love with a servant-man. As those two lovers were fondly talking, Her father heard them, and near them drew; In anger home her father flew; To build a dungeon was his intention, To part true love he contrived a plan, He swore an oath by all his mansion He'd part that fair one from her servant-man. So he built a dungeon with bricks and mortar, With a flight of steps, for it was underground; The food he gave her was bread and water, The only comfort for her was found. Three times a day he cruelly beat her, Unto her father she thus began: If I've transgressed, my own dear father, I will lie and die for my servant-man. Young Edwin found her habitation, It was secured by an iron door. He vowed, in spite of all the nation He would gain her freedom, or rest no more. So, at his leisure, he toiled with pleasure To gain the freedom of Mary Ann; And when he had found out his treasure She cried, My faithful young servant-man! Said Edwin, Now I've found my treasure I will be true to you likewise, And for your sake I will face your father; To see me here it will him surprise. When her father brought her bread and water To call his daughter he then began, Said Edwin, Enter, I've freed your daughter, I will suffer - your servant-man! When her father found that she was vanished, Then like a lion he thus did roar, Saying, From Ireland you shall be banished, And with my sword I will spill your gore! Agreed, said Edwin, I freed your daughter, I freed your daughter, do all you can; But forgive your treasure, I'll die with pleasure, For the one fault is your servant-man. When her father found him so tender-hearted, Then down he fell on the dungeon floor, Saying that love should never be parted, Since love can enter an iron door. So soon they're one, to be parted never, And roll in riches this young couple can, This fair young lady is blessed with pleasure, Contented with her young servant-man.

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