A Nutting We Will Go

'Tis of a jolly ploughing-man, Was ploughing of his land He called Ho! He called Wo! And bade his horses stand. Upon his plough he sat, I trow, And loud began to sing, His voice rang out so clear and stout, It made the horse bells ring For a nutting we will go, my boys, A nutting we will go, From hazel bush, loud sings the thrush, A nutting we will go!

A maiden sly was passing by With basket on her arm, She stood to hear his singing clear, To listen was no harm. The ploughboy stayed that pretty maid, and clasped her middle small, He kissed her twice, he kissed her thrice Ere she could cry or call For a nutting &c:

Now all you pretty maidens that Go nutting o'er the grass Attend my rede and give good heed, Of ploughboys that you pass; When lions roar, on Afric's shore, No mortal ventures near, When hoots the owl, and bears do growl, The heart is full of fear. For a nutting &c:

And yet, 'tis said, to pretty maid, There is a graver thing, In any clime, at any time, -A ploughboy that doth sing. So all you maidens, young and fair Take lesson from my lay, When you hear a ploughman sing, Then lightly run away. For a nutting &c: