Other Region

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

One morning in the month of May As from my cot I strayed Just at the dawning of the day I met a charming maid. Just at the dawning of the day I met a charming maid.

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.

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.

The sun went down beyond you hill, across you dreary moor Weary and lane a boy there came up to the farmer's door 'Can you tell me if any there be that will give me employ For to plough and sow, for to reap and mow, and be a farmer's boy And be a farmer's boy?'

Come all you jolly ploughboys Of courage, stout and bold That labour all the winter Through stormy winds and cold.

There were three men came from the west Their fortunes for to try And these three men made a solemn vow John Barleycorn should die

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.

I will tell you of a story that has lately come to pass, Of a cruel young farmer and his mare and her foal so fast. The mare was standing in the field, the foal was by her side, When the cruel farmer came along and made the foal to hide.

I am a saucy ploughboy, all day I plough the land, And when the day is over I am the jolliest in the land. I’ve got a bonnie lassie who lives just down the way, She’s all the pretty girlies I see in the day.