'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,
All jolly fellows that follow the plough, We'll have a good ale, and we'll make a good row. We rise in the morning by five o'clock, And soon we're all harnessed and yoked to the plough.
As I walked out to mow one morn, So early as I walked along, I heard a fair maid making her moan, She wept most bitterly.
It was early one May morning down in some shady grove I heard a lovely maid complain so grieved as I've been told 'Oh cruel were my parents, they do me so annoy
Twas of a brisk young ploughboy, come listen to this refrain And join with me in chorus and sing the ploughboy’s praise. My song is of the ploughboy’s praise and unto you I’ll relate the same, He whistles and sings and drives his plough, the brave ploughboy.
Now I be a true-bred country chap, me father comes from Fareham Me mother got some more like I an’ her well knows how to rare [rear] ’em Some people calls I bacon-fat and others turnip ’ead But I can prove I bain’t no calf although I’m country bred.
As I walked out one May morning when may was all in bloom I went into the meadows to taste the sweet perfume I went into the flowery fields to turn my head a while Where I saw Kilpit the pretty ploughing boy, who did my heart beguile.
Let the wealthy and great Roll in splendor and state, I envy them not, I declare it. I eat my own lamb, My chickens and ham, I shear my own sheep and I wear it.
A wealthy young squire of Tamworth you hear He courted a nobleman's daughter so fair All for to be married it was their intent Her friends and relations had given consent.
Where the Songs were collected