Songs Of and About Elizabethan Times

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Herein find a collection of Faire songs taken from the Monger's Handbook. I believe these were compiled by Gerald Zapeta, but I don't possess any true citations. I've broken the songs into three sections: rounds, repetition songs, and songs. A few of the repetition songs allow for improvisational lines with a chorus from the other singers.

Rounds

HEIGH-HO, NOBODY HOME

Heigh-ho, nobody home
meat, nor drink, nor money have I none.
Still I will be merry

ROSE, ROSE, ROSE RED

Rose, Rose, Rose red,
Will I ever see thee wed?
I will marry at thy will, sire
At thy will

AH, POOR BIRD

Ah poor bird,
Why art thou
Singing in the shadows
At this late Hour?

WHITE SAND AND GREY SANDS

White sands and gray sands
Who will buy my white sands?
Who will buy my grey sands?

WHY DOTH NOT MY GOOSE

Why doth not my goose
sing as well as thy goose
when I paid for my goose
twice as much as thine?

QUEEN'S ROUND

Long may she reign
in majesty glorious,
ever victorious,
God save the Queen!

DONA NOBIS

Dona Nobis pacerm, pacem,
Dona nobis pacem

Repetition Songs

GREEN GROW THE RUSHES HO

I'll sing thee one, ho
green grow the rushes, ho!
what is your one ho?
one is all and all alone and ever more shall it be so
I'll sing thee two, ho
green grow the rushes, ho!
what is your two ho?
two, two pretty white boys
clothed all in green, oh
one is all and all alone and ever more shall it be so
Repeat for Each
three, three the rivals
four for the gospel makers
five for the symbols at your door
six for the six proud walkers
seven for the seven stars in the sky
eight for the April rainers
nine for the nine bright shiners
ten for the ten commandments
eleven for the eleven who went to heaven
twelve for the twelve apostles

BARLEY MOW

Here's good luck to the Pint pot
Good luck to the Barley Mow
Jolly good luck to the pint pot
Good luck to the Barley Mow
Here's the pint pot, half a pint, gill pot, half a gill, quarter gill, nipperkin, and the brown bowl.
Here's good luck, good luck to the Barley Mow
Here's good luck to the Quart Pot
Good luck to the Barley Mow
Jolly good luck to the Quart pot
Good luck to the Barley Mow
Here's the quart pot, pint pot, half a pint, gill pot, half a gill, quarter gill, nipperkin, and the brown bowl.
Here's good luck, good luck to the Barley Mow
Repeat for Each
Here's the company, the slavey, the drayer, the brewer, the daughter, the landlady, landlord, the barrel, the half barrel, gallon, the half gallon, quart pot, pint pot, half a pint, gill pot, half a gill, quarter gill, nipperkin, and the brown bowl.

RATTLIN BOG

Hey-ho the rattlin' bog, Bog down in the valley-o
Hey-ho the rattlin' bog, Bog down in the valley-o
 In this bog there was a tree
Rare tree rattlin tree, tree in the bog and the bog down in the valley-o
Hey-ho the rattlin' bog, Bog down in the valley-o
Hey-ho the rattlin' bog, Bog down in the valley-o
On this tree there was a limb
Rare limb rattlin limb, limb on the tree and the tree in the bog and the b og down in the valley-o
Hey-ho the rattlin' bog, Bog down in the valley-o
Hey-ho the rattlin' bog, Bog down in the valley-o
On this limb there was a branch
Rare branch a rattlin branch, branch on the limb and the limb on the tree and tree in the bog and the bog down in the valley-o

MARTIN SAID TO HIS MAN

O Martin said to his man
Fie, man fie
O Martin said to his man
Who's the fool now?
Martin said to his man
Fill thou the cup and I the can
Thou hast well drunken man
Who's the fool now?

I saw a flea heave a tree
Fie, man fie
I saw a flea heave a tree
Who's the fool now?
I saw a flea heave a tree
Twenty miles out to sea.
Thou hast well drunken man
Who's the fool now?

I saw a snail drive a nail
From Penzance out to Hale.

I saw the man in the moon
Clouting on St. Peter's shoon.

I saw the goose wring the hog
And the cat bite the dog.

I saw the hare chase the hound
Fourteen miles above the ground.

I saw a maid milk a bull
Every stroke a bucket full.
(Repeat 1st Verse - ad lib, too!!!)

Songs


MONDAY NIGHT

On Monday night he came to my door, a-makin such a din,
"Get up, get up my darlin' girl, and let your lover come in!"
So I went down and let him in and on me he did fall,
It was five o'clock in the mornin' before we got any sleep at all.
On Tuesday night he came to my door, the joys of love to tend,
"Get up, get up, my darlin' girl, before I go round the bend!"
So I went down and let him in and in my arms he lay,
It was four o'clock in the mornin' before he finally went away.
On Wednesday night he came to my door, a little late in time,
"I'm sorry I'm late my darlin' girl, the hill's so hard to climb!"
He wasn't long within my arms before he let me be,
And he was out the door and down the road before the stroke of three.
On Thursday night he came to my door, so weary and so slow,
"Give us a drink my darlin' girl , then off to work we'll go!"
He tried and tried the whole night long, I had to help him through,
And I heard him sigh as he rose to go, "It's only after two."
On Friday night he came to my door, a-shakin' in every limb,
"Get up, get up my darlin' girl, come down and carry me in!"
So I went down and carried him in, and gently laid him down,
But scarcely could his spirits rise to meet the stroke of one.
On Saturday night he came to my door, he came on his hands and knees,
"Don't get up my darlin' girl, stay in and let me be!"
But I went down and dragged him in, and he fell down in a swoon,
and tho' oft I tried to raise him up, he slept 'till Sunday noon.

THE SHEPHERD

The shepherd sat 'neath the tree one day, and as the shadows grew more long
pulled out his pipe and began to play, and sweet and merry was his song.
A country damsel from the town, with basket made of woven straw
Came gathering rushes from the downs, and boldly smiled when she him saw
The shepherd's pipe did gaily sound, as tempting on her back she lay
And with his quivering note he found how sweetly then this lass could play
she ne'er so much as blushed at all, so sweetly played her shepherd swain
So ere anon to him she'd call to play her another double strain.
The shepherd again did tune his pipe and played her a lesson loud and shrill
The maid his face did often wipe with many a thanks for his good skill.
She said I ne'er was so pleased before. And this is the first time that I knew thee,
Come play me this very tune once more and never doubt that I'll dance to thee.
The shepherd said as I am a man you have kept me playin' from sun 'till moon,
Alas I can do no more than I can, my pipe is clearly out of tune.
To ruin a shepherd I'll not seek, she said as she kissed him 'neath the tree
I'll come again to downs next week, and thou shalt pipe and I'll come to

OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED UNDER A HILL

There was an old woman who lived under a hill
Fa la la, la la la la la la
If she's not dead she lives there still
Fa la lo, fa la lo, fa la la la la la lo
A jolly young man came riding by
Fa la la, la la la la la la
He called for a pot for he was dry
Fa la lo, fa la lo, fa la la la la la lo
He called for a pot, and then another
Fa la la, la la la la la la
He kissed the daughter before the mother
Fa la lo, fa la lo, fa la la la la la lo
And when the day was gone and spent
Fa la la, la la la la la la
He bed the daughter with the mother's consent
Fa la lo, fa la lo, fa la la la la la lo

What is this all hard and warm?
Fa la la, la la la la la la
'Tis bald my nag, he'll do y' no harm
Fa la lo, fa la lo, fa la la la la la lo
And what is this? 'Tis a little well
Fa la la, la la la la la la
From which my nag may drink his fill
Fa la lo, fa la lo, fa la la la la la lo
And what perchance if your nag falls in?
Fa la la, la la la la la la
Grab hold of the grass that grows by the rim
Fa la lo, fa la lo, fa la la la la la lo
And what perchance if the grass should fail?
Fa la la, la la la la la la
Push him in by the head, pull him out by the tail
Fa la lo, fa la lo, fa la la la la la lo

THE THREE DRUNKEN MAIDENS

There were three drunken maidens
come from the Isle of White
They drank from Sunday morning
didn't stop till Saturday night
When Saturday night did come me boys,
they wouldn't then go out
These three drunken maidens
they pushed the jug about
Then up come Bouncing Sally
her cheeks as red as Rue
Move over Jolly sisters
and give young Sally some room
For I'll be your equal
Before that we go out
These four drunken maidens
They pushed the jug about
There's wood cock and pheasant
there's partridge and hare
There's all sorts of Dainties
No scarcity was there
There's forty quarts of beer me boys
they fairly drunk them out
These four drunken maidens
They pushed the jug about
Then Up comes the landlord
He's asking for his pay
thats 40 pounds the bill me boys
these girls were forced to pay.
Thats 10 pounds apiece me boys
But still they wouldn't go out
These four drunken maidens
They pushed the jug about
Oh where are your feathered hats
your mantles rich and fine,
they've all been swallowed up
in tankards of good wine
And where are your maidenheads
you maidens brisk & gay
We left them in the ale house
We drank them clean away

RISSELTY ROSSITY

He married his wife in the mouth of June
Risselty-rossilty, now now now.
He carried her off in a silver spoon.
Risselty-rossilty, hey bom-bossety
Nickety-nackety, retrical quality
Willaby-wallaby, now now now.
She combes her hair but once a year
Risselty-rossilty, now now now.
With every pull she sheds a tear.
Risselty-rossilty, hey bom-bossety
Nickety-nackety, retrical quality
Willaby-wallaby, now now now.
She sweeps the floor but once a year
Risselty-rossilty, now now now.
She says her broom is much to dear
Risselty-rossilty, hey bom-bossety
Nickety-nackety, retrical quality
Willaby-wallaby, now now now.
She churns the butter in father's old boot
Risselty-rossilty, now now now.
And for a dasher she uses her foot
Risselty-rossilty, hey bom-bossety
Nickety-nackety, retrical quality
Willaby-wallaby, now now now.
The butter turned out a grisly gray
Risselty-rossilty, now now now.
The cheese grew legs and ran away.
Risselty-rossilty, hey bom-bossety
Nickety-nackety, retrical quality
Willaby-wallaby, now now now.
The cheese still sits upon the shelf.
Risselty-rossilty, now now now.
It you want any more, you can sing it yourself.
Risselty-rossilty, hey bom-bossety
Nickety-nackety, retrical quality
Willaby-wallaby, now now now.

LUSTY YOUNG SMITH

A lusty young smith at his vise stood a filing,
His hammer laid by but his forge still aglow,
When to him a buxom young damsel came smiling
and asked if to work at her forge he would go.

With a jingle, bang jingle, bang jingle, bang jingle,
With a jingle, bang jingle, bang jingle, hi ho!

"I will," said the smith, and they went off together
Along to the young damsel's forge they did go,
They stripped to go to it, 'twas hot work and hot weather;
She kindled a fire and she soon made him blow.
Chorus
Her Husband, she said, no good work could afford her;
His strength and his tools were worn out long ago.
The smith said, "Well mine are in very good order,
And now I am ready my skill for to show
Chorus
Red hot grew his iron, as both did desire
and he was to wise not too strike while 'twas so.
Quoth she, "What I get, I get out of the fire,
Then prithee, strike hard and redouble the blow."
Chorus
Six times did his iron, by vigorous heating
Grow soft in the forge in a minute or so,
And often was hardened, still beating and beating,
But each time it softened it hardened more slow.
Chorus
The smith then would go; quoth the dame, full of sorrow,
"Oh, what would I give, could my husband do so!
Good lad, with your hammer come hither tomorrow
But, pray, can't you use it one more, ere you go?"
Chorus

BEDLAM BOYS

For to see mad Tom of Bedlam
Ten thousand years I'll travel
Mad Maudlin goes on dirty toes
for to save her shoes from gravel

Still I sing bonny boys,
bonny mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they
live by the air (Hold)
And they want no drink nor money

Now I repent that ever
Poor Tom was so Disdain'd
My wits were lost when him I cross't
Which makes me go thus chain'd
Chorus
My staff has murder'd giants
My bag a long knife carries
For to cut mince pies from children's thighs
And feed them to the fairies
Chorus
My horn is made of thunder
I stole it out of heaven
The rainbow there is this I wear
For which I thence was driven
Chorus
I went down to Satan's kitchen
for to get me food one morning
and there I got souls piping hot
all on the spit a-turning
Chorus
Then I took up a cauldron
where boil'd ten thousand 'Tornies
'Twas full of flame, yet I drank the same
and wished them happy journeys
Chorus
The spirits white as lightning
Would on my travels guide me
the stars would shake and the moon would quake
Whenever they espied me
Chorus
And now that I have gotten
A lease than doomsday longer
To live on earth with some in mirth
Ten whales shall find my hunger
Chorus
No Gypsy, slut, or doxy
Shall win my mad Tom from me
We'll weep all night and with stars fight
the fray will well become me
Chorus
And when that I have beaten
The man i' the moon to a powder
His dog I'll take and him I'll make
Bark as no daemon louder
Chorus
A health to Tom of Bedlam
Go Fill the seas in a barrel
I'll drink it all, well brewed with gall
And maudlin drunk I'll quarrel.
Chorus
For to see mad Tom of Bedlam
Ten thousand miles I'll travel
Mad Maudlin goes on dirty toes
for to save her shoes from gravel
Chorus

MARY MACK

Oh I know a little lass and her name is Mary Mack
Make no mistake she's the one I'm going to take
There's a lot of other fellows who'd get up upon her track
But I'm thinking that they'd have to get up early

Oh Mary Mack's mother's making Mary Mack marry me,
My mother's making me marry Mary Mack,
I'm going to marry Mary to get Mary to take care of me,
We'll all be making merry when I marry Mary Mack
Yump, dump diddle li dil liddle lid dil dum

Oh Mary and her mother go an awful lot together
in fact you never see the one without the other
A lot of fellows wonder is it Mary or her mother
or both of them together that I'm courting?
Chorus
Oh the wedding is on Wednesday and everything's arranged
Her name will soon be changed to mine unless her mind has changed
I'm making the arrangements and I'm just about deranged
For marriage is an awful undertaking
Chorus

HAL-AN-TOE

Jake has gone to wear the horn
It was the crest when you were born
Your father's father wore it then
His father wore it too.

Hal-an-toe, Jolly lum-alow
We were up long before the day-o
To welcome in the summer,
to welcome in the May-o
For Summer is a-comin'in
and Winter's gone away-o.

Robin Hood and Little John
Have both come to the Faire-o
And we will to the merry greenwood
to hunt the buck and hare-o.
Chorus
What happened to the Spaniards
That made so great a boast-o?
O' they shall eat the feathered goose
and we shall eat the roast-o.
Chorus
God bless our Gloriana (God save the Queen!)
God send her power and might O'
God send good peace to En-ga-land,
send peace by day and night O'.
Chorus

COUNTRY LIFE

In spring we sow at the harvest mow
And work as the seasons round they go
But of all the times if choose I may
'Twould be ramblin' through the new mown hay.

For I like to rise when the sun she rises
Early in the Morning
I like to hear them small birds singing
Merrily upon their branches
And Hurrah! for the life of a country lass
And to ramble in the new mown hay.

In winter when the skies are gray
We hedge and we ditch our times away
But in summer when the sun shines gay
We go ramblin' through the new mown hay.
Chorus
O' William is me darlin' gay
And he be a-workin' most e'very day
But I love him best in the month of May
When we're ramblin' in the new mown hay.
Chorus

FATHOM THE BOWL

Come all ye brave heroes, give an ear to me song
And I'll sing you in praise of good cider and rum
As the clear crystal fountain o'er England shall roll
Give me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl.

I'll fathom the bowl, I'll fathom the bowl
Give me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl.

My husband doth disturb me when I'm laid at my rest
for he does what he does, but he does it not best
My husband's a lackard Limp in body and soul
Give me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl.
Chorus
My wife, doth disturb me when I'm laid at my ease
Ah, she does as she likes and she says as she please
My wife, she's a devil, she burns like the coal
Give me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl.
Chorus
My father, he do lie in the depths of the sea
Cold stone for his pillow, what matter to he?
If the clear crystal fountain o'er England shall roll
Give me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl.
Chorus
Queen Elizabeth doth be the most virtuous Queen
for she reigns oe'r us all and she does it wisely
I'll serve her for ever, till death do me call.
Give me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl.
Chorus

NOTTAMUN TOWN

In Nottamun Town, In Nottamun Town,
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down.
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down,
To show me my way to fair Nottamun Town.
I bought me a horse, 'twas called the grey mare
Grey mane and grey tail, and green stripe down her back
Grey mane and grey tail, and green stripe down her back
And not a hair on him that be not coal black.
She stood so still, threw me to the dirt,
She tear-ed my hide and she bruised my shirt,
From saddle to stirrup, I mounted again,
And on my ten toes I rode over the plain.
And when I got there, no one could I see,
They all stood around just a-looking at me
I called for a quaff to drive gladness away
To stifle the dust, for it rained the whole day.
And the king and the queen, and the company more
Come a-riding behind and a-walking before
Come a stark naked drummer boy, beating his drum
With his heels in his bosom come marching along.
Sat down on a hard, hot cold frozen stone
Ten thousand stood round me, yet I was alone,
Took my heart in my hand for to keep myself warm,
Ten thousand was drown-ed that never was born.
In Nottamun Town, In Nottamun Town,
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down.
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down,
To show me my way to fair Nottamun Town.

THE CAMBRIC SHIRT

Go tell her to make me a cambric shirt,
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
Without a stitch of a seamster's work,
And then she will be a true love of mine.
Go tell her to wash it in yonder well,
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
Where never was water, and rain never fell.
And then she will be a true love of mine.
Go tell her to hang it on yonder thorn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
Where leaf never budded since Adam was born.
And then she will be a true love of mine.
Go tell him to clear me an acre of land,
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
Between the salt water and the sea sand.
And then he will be a true love of mine.
Go tell him to plow it all with a thorn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
And plant it all over with one grain of corn.
And then he will be a true love of mine.
Go tell him to reap it with an old stirrup-leather,
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
And bind it all up with a pea-fowl's feather.
And then he will be a true love of mine.
Go tell him to thrash it against the wall,
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
And not one grain on the floor shall fall.
And then he will be a true love of mine.
Go tell him to shock it in yonder sea,
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
And return it back all dry to me.
And then he will be a true love of mine.
Go tell him to take it to the mill,
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
And every grain it's bushel shall fill
And then he will be a true love of mine.
Go tell him to wrap it all up in a sack,
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
And send it to market all on a rat's back.
And then he will be a true love of mine.
Go tell this young man when he gets his work done,
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
To come to my house and his shirt will be done.
And then he will be a true love of mine.

THREE CRAW

Three craw sat upon a wall
sat upon a wall
sat upon a wall
sat upon a wa-a-a-all
Three craw sat upon a wall
on a cold and frosty morning.
The first craw could not find his ma
not find his ma
not find his ma
not find his ma-a-a-a
The first craw could not find his ma
on a cold and frosty morning
The second craw could not find his pa
could not find his pa
could not find his pa
could not find his pa-a-a
The second craw could not find his pa
on a cold and frosty morning.
The third craw ate the other twa
ate the other twa
ate the other twa
ate the other twa-a-a
The third craw ate the other twa
on a cold and frosty morning.
The fourth craw were not there at all
were not there at all
were not there at all
were not there at a-a-all
The fourth craw were not there at all
on a cold and frosty morning
And that's aw I know about the craw
I know about the craw
I know about the craw
I know about the cra-a-aw
And that's aw I know about the craw
on a cold and frosty morning.

THE KEEPER

The Keeper would a-hunting go
And under his arm he carried a bow
All for to shoot at the merry little doe
Among the leaves so green-o
(Speaker One Speaker Two)
Jackie boy! Master? Sing ye well? Very well!
Hey down! Ho down!
(Both together) Derry, derry down
Among the leaves so green-o.
To my hey down, down!
To my ho down,down!
Hey down! Ho down!
(Both together) Derry, derry down
Among the leaves so green-o.
 The first doe he shot at he missed
The second doe he trimmed and kissed
The third doe went where nobody whist.
Among the leaves so green-o.
Chorus
The fourth doe she did cross the plain
The keeper fetched her back again
Where she is now she may remain
Among the leaves so green-o
Chorus
The fifth doe she did cross the brook,
The keeper fetched her back with his crook
where she is now you must go and look
Among the leaves so green-o
Chorus
The sixth doe she ran o'er the plain
But he with his hound did turn her again
And it's there he did hunt in a merry, merry vein
Among the leaves so green-o
Chorus
The seventh doe did run to the East
The unfortunate keeper lost the beast
Now she is a part of a poacher's feast
Among the leaves so green-o.
Chorus

MY HUSBAND HAS NO COURAGE IN HIM

As I walked out one Summer's morn
To view the flowers and the leaves a-springin'
I saw two maidens standin' there
and one of them her hands was wringin'
and all of her conversation were
my husband has no courage in him.
O dear no, O dear no,
My husband has no courage in him,
O dear no.
 Seven long years I made his bed.
Six o' them I laid beside him.
This morn I awoke with my maiden head
that shows he's got no courage in him.
Chorus
All sorts meat I did provide,
All sorts of drink that was fitn' for him
both oyster pie and rhubarb too,
but nothin' would put courage in him.
Chorus
I wish to the Lord that he was dead.
How quickly in his grave I'd lay him,
then I would get another man
what had a little courage in him
O dear yes, o dear yes!
What had a little courage in him
O dear yes!
Come all pretty maids who hear this song
don't marry a man before you try him
or you might sing this song with me,
my husband has no courage in him.
Chorus

THE CUCKOO'S NEST

As I was a-walking one morning in May
I met a pretty fair maid and unto her did say
I'll tell you me mind, it's for love I am inclined
and my inclination lies in your cuckoo's nest
Some like a girl who is pretty in the face
and some like a girl who is slender in the waist
But give me a girl who will wiggle and will twist
at the bottom of the belly lies a cuckoo's nest
 Me darling, says she, I am innocent and young
I scarcely can believe your false deluding tongue
Yet I see it in you eyes and it fills me with surprise
That your inclination lies in me cuckoo's nest
Chorus
Me darling, says he, if you see it in me eyes
Then think of it as fondness and do not be surprised
I love you, me dear, and I'll marry you, I swear
if you'll let me clap me hand upon your cuckoo's nest
Chorus
Me darling, says she, I can do no such thing
Me mother often told me it was committing sin
Me maidenhead to loose and me sex to be abused
So I'll thank you not to think upon me cuckoo's nest
Chorus
Me darling, says he, it is not committing sin
For common sense should tell you it is a pleasing thing
You were brought into this world to increase and do your best
And to help a man to Heaven in your cuckoo's nest
Chorus
Me darling, says she, I cannot you deny
You've surely won me heart by the rolling of your eye
And I see it in your eyes that your courage is surprised
So gently lift your hand into me cuckoo's nest
Chorus
This couple they got married and soon they went to bed
And so this pretty fair maid she lost her maidenhead
In a small country cottage they increase and do their best
And he often claps his hand upon her cuckoo's nest

THE CUCUMBER

As I was a-riding out on pilgrimage one morn
an April when desire is awaken or reborn
I met me a crusader knight from pagon lands forlorn
with a handsome squire and with a wonderous cucumber
Some like a man who will open up the door
and some like a man who goes marching off to war
But give me a fellow who knows what his weapon's for
at the bottom of the barrel stands a cucumber
 Five husbands have I married at the churches door
two were old and rich, but the other's young and poor
but the last one is the one that I will love forever more
both a scholar and a master of his cucumber
Chorus
Some say that virgin's are like golden bowls and they
are welcome to that honor, I would be the first to say
for can not God have use for vessels made of earth and clay
for was God who made the Cuckoo's nest and cucumber
Chorus
Some say that celebates have chose the better part
better tis to wed than to lust within the heart
for there's one common need that's met by maiden, wife & tart
that's a man who knows the uses of his cucumber
Chorus
God sends us husbands rich & young & fresh a bed
and blessing to the wives both the widdowed and the wed
and a pox on those who disagreed with what it is I've said
That each Cuckoo's nest be filled with a cucumber

I WENT TO MARKET TO BUY ME A COCK

I went to market to buy me a cock
and my cock did very well please me.
Every time I fed my cock, I fed him all under a tree
And my cock went cock and cock and cock a doodle do,
And after everybody's cock did my cock crow.

I went to Market to buy me a [any animal]
and my [any animal] did very well please me.
Every time I fed my [any animal] I fed him all under a tree
And my [any animal] went [Whatever sound it makes]
And my cock went cock and cock and cock a doodle do,
And after everybody's cock did my cock crow.
(every time you add a new animal on)

A HEALTH UNTO HER MAJESTY!

Here's a health unto her Majesty
With a fa la la la la la la
Confusion to her enemies
With a fa la la la la la la
And he who would not drink her health
we wish him neither wit nor wealth
Nor yet a rope to hang himself
With a fa la la la la la la la la laaaaaaa
(Hold last note while another downs a drink)
With a fa la la la la la la
 May she live in mirth and jollity
With a fa la la la la la la
and past-time with good company
With a fa la la la la la la
and he who would not join in glee
must puritan or papist be
and him we curse with misery
Chorus
Let the Queen's good health go round and round
With a fa la la la la la la
and let her praises loud resound
With a fa la la la la la la
and he who would not have it so
may he be cursed with a gouty toe
and days of wrath and nights of woe
Chorus
Our goodly Queen is fair of face
With a fa la la la la la la
endowed with every female grace
With a fa la la la la la la
and every woman in this shire
who doth not to the like aspire
may her breast be dun and her hair be wire
Chorus
So now we've raised our tankards high
With a fa la la la la la la
We've raised them full and lowered them dry
With a fa la la la la la la
Elizabeth, long may she reign
God save the Queen
may all here join in this refrain
and fill our tankards up again
Chorus

THE GYPSY ROVER

The gypsy rover came over the hill
Down through the valley so shady,
He whistled and he sang till the greenwoods rang
And he won the heart of a lady.
A ley lu a ley lu a ley,
a ley lu a lee ley ee
He whistled and he sang till the greenwoods rang
And he won the heart of a lady.
 She left her father's castle gate,
She left her own fond lover
She left her servants and her estate to follow the gypsy rover.
Chorus
Her father saddled his fastest steed
And roamed the valleys all over,
He sought his daughter at great speed
And the whistling gypsy rover.
Chorus
He came at last to a mansion fine
Down by the river Glady,
And there was music and there was wine
For the gypsy and his lady.
Chorus
He is no gypsy, my father, she cried
But lord of these land all over
And I will stay till my dying day
With my whistling gypsy rover
Chorus

THE ROBBER GIRL

Come listen a while and I'll tell you a story
of three merry gentlemen riding along
They met a fair maiden and unto her did say,
"We're afraid this cold morning might
do you some harm."
"Oh no, kind sir," said the maid, "you're mistaken
to think this cold morning might do me some harm.
Yet there is one thing I crave,
and it lies twixt your legs sir
if you give me that it will keep me warm."
"Oh since you do crave it, my dear you shall have it,
if you'll come with me under yonder green tree.
oh since you do crave it, my dear you shall have it,
I'll make these two gentlemen witness to thee."
The gentleman lighted and straight way she mounted,
and looking the gentlemen hard in the face,
said, "ye knew not my meaning,
you wrong understood me."
and away she went galloping down the long lane.
"Come gentleman lend me one of your horses,
that I might ride after her down the long lane.
If I over-take her, I warrant I'll make her
return unto me own horse again."
This young maid was watching,
she saw them a-coming,
She instantly then took her pistol in hand,
said, "doubt not my skill,
or it's you I shall kill
and I'll have you stand back
or you are a dead man."
"Oh why do you spend all your time here in talking,
oh why do you spend all of your time here in vain?
Come give her a penny, it's what she deserves,
and I warrant she'll give you your horse back again."
"Oh no, kind sir," said the maid, you're mistaken,
for if it's his loss than it is my gain,
and you are a witness that he gave it to me."
And away she went galloping over the plain.

PASTIME WITH GOOD COMPANY

pasttime with good company
I love and shall until' I die
grudge who lust, but none deny
so god be pleased, thus live will I
for my pastance, hunt sing and dance
all goodly sport, for my comfort
who shall me let
Youth will needs have dalliance,
Of good or ill some pastance.
Company me thinketh the best
All thoughts and fancies to digest
For idleness is chief mistress
Of vices all; Then who can say
But mirth and play is best of all?
Company with honesty
Is virtue, vices to flee.
Company is good or ill,
But every man hath his free will.
The best ensue, the worst eschew,
My mind shall be Virtue to use,
Vice to refuse, I shall use me.

THE PRICKLE HOLLY BUSH

Come slack your horse, cries George, Come slack it for a while
for I think I see my (Father/Mother/Sister/Brother) riding over yonder stile.
Did you bring gold? Did you bring silver to set me free?
To save my body from the cold jail wall and my neck from the high gallows trees?
I've no gold, I've no silver to set you free.
For I have come for to see you hanged, hanged from the high gallows tree.
The prickle holly bush, it pricks, it pricks, it pricks my
heart full sore and if ever I get out of the prickle
holly bush I'll never go there no more.
 (Last verse sweetheart brings gold, slight change in the chorus)
I've brought gold, I've brought silver to set you free.
For I have come for to buy your heart from the hangman at the high gallows tree.
The prickle holly bush, it pricked, it pricked, it pricked my
heart full sore now that I'm out of the prickle holly bush,
I'm ne'er goin' there no more.

AN OLD MAN CAME COURTING ME

An old man came courtin' me
Hey do me darling
An old man came courtin' me
Me being' young
An old man came courtin' me
He did propose to me
Maids when you're young never wed an old man
For he's got no falorum, falivin falorum
He's got no falorum, fa livin fa liv i-i-i ng
He's go no falorum, he's lost his ding dorum
Maid's when you're young never wed an old man!
When he did come to court
I found him way too short

When he did come to sup
He started teasing' me

When we did go to church
He left me in the lurch

When we did go to bed
He lay as if twere dead

When he lay fast asleep
I from his side did creep
Into the arms of a handsome young man
Now he's got falorum falivin falorum
Yes he's got falorum fa livin fa liv i-i-i ng
Yes he's got falorum I found his ding dorum
Maids when you're young never wed an old man.

JOHNNY BE FINE

Oh Johnny be fine and Johnny be fair and wants me for to wed.
And I would marry Johnny but me father up and said
I'm sorry to tell you daughter, what your mother never knew,
But Johnny is a son of mine and so is kin to you.

Oh Thomas be fine and Thomas be fair and wants me for to wed.
And I would marry Thomas but me father up and said
I'm sorry to tell you daughter, what your mother never knew,
But Thomas is a son of mine and so is kin to you.

Oh Daniel be fine and Daniel be fair and wants me for to wed.
And I would marry Daniel but me father up and said
I'm sorry to tell you daughter, what your mother never knew,
But Daniel is a son of mine and so is kin to you.

O you never saw a maid so sad and sorry as I was.
The lads in town are all my kin and me father is the cause.
If life should thus continue I should die a single miss
I think I'll go to mother and complain to her of this.

O daughter didn't I tell you to forgive and to forget?
Your father sowed his wild oats, but still you need not fret
Your father may be father to all the lads but still
He's not the one who sired you so marry who you will.

CELIA

When Celia was learning on the spinit to play
her tutor stood by her to show her (pause)
to show her (pause)
to show her, to show her the way
She shook not the note, which angered him much
and made him and made him cry "No tis a long prick (pause)
a long prick
a long pricked note you touch"
Surprised was the lady to hear him complain
and said and said and said, "I will shake it (pause)
I will shake it (pause)
I will shake it when I come to it again"

THE BALLAD OF JACOB MCFEE

Pull up and ale and hear the tale of Jacob and his doggrel
He liked to write poetic verse of which he were notable
There came to pass a weeping lass her teary eyes did glisten
With all his style he gave a smile and asked if she would listen.
Oh sirrah, please go away, for I'm a fair young maiden
And if you woo me with your song, forsooth I shall be laiden.
Of fie, oh why would Jacob try her maidenhead to tickle
Can he not see, 'tis plain to we, his bardic-muse is fickle.
O weeping lass with countenance of obvious pure virtue
I do not know why you cry so, or who might so have hurt you
I'll sow a row of singed, verse, and reap for you a fable
And, pray, that thou will find in time my rhyme is impeccable.
Oh Sirah, it seems that you may have missed my meaning
'tis men like you why I boo-hoo and from them I am weaning.
A song, forsooth, to soothe the youthful lass was not impeded
The strings were taut, but he forgot, to tune the lute was needed
The lass she tried to hide inside a rising tide of horror
When she realized this caterwall was written for her.
Pray pard, sirrah, should I guffaw, would you be so offended
Your song was such, I fear my lunch on you will be upended.

MY THING IS MY OWN

I a tender young Maid have been courted by many,
Of all sorts and Trades as ever was any:
A spruce Haberdasher first spake me fair
But I would have nothing to do with Small ware.
My Thing is my Own, and I'll keep it so still,
Yet other young Lasses may do what they will.
 A sweet scented Courtier did give me a kiss,
And promis'd me Mountains if I would be his,
But I'll not believe him, for it is too true,
Some Courtiers do promise much more than they do.
Chorus
A Master of Musick came with an intent,
To give me a Lesson on my Instrument,
I thank'd him for nothing, but bid him be gone,
For my little Fiddle should not be plaid on.
Chorus
An Usurer came with abundance of Cash,
But I had no mind to come under his Lash
He profer'd me Jewels, and a great store of Gold,
But I would not mortgage my little Free-hold.
Chorus
A blunt Lieutenant surprized my Placket
And fiercely began to rifle and sack it,
I mustered my Spirits up and became bold,
And forc'd my lieutenant to quit his strong hold.
Chorus
A fine dapper Taylor, with a Yard in his Hand,
Did profer his Service to be at Command,
He talk'd of a slit I had above the knee,
But I'll have no Taylors to stitch it for me.
Chorus
Now here I could reckon a hundred and more,
Besides all the Gamesters recited before,
That made their addresses in hopes of a snap
But as young as I was I understood Trap,
Chorus

YELLOW HOSE

When I was a bachelor I led a merry life,
but now I am a married man and saddled with a wife
I cannot do as I have done because I live in fear,
if I should go and drink with friends they say my wife is near
Give me my yellow hose again give me my yellow hose
for now my wife she watches me see yonder where she goes
fa la la la la la la la fa la la la la la
fa la la la la la la la fa la la la la now.
 when I come to prance in town and hig adventures lay
in many parts I have been found but never thus I pray
For if by chance I find away a woman for to kiss
The rest already for do say "thy wife shall hear of this"
Chorus
When I come in company I cross my mouth in fear
For won't you call me merrily "What say thy wife is there?"
And this does make them all stand down to see my woeful case
For I stand like John-Hold My-Staff and dare not show my face
Chorus

THE AGINCOURT CAROL

Deo Gratias, Deo gratias
Anglica
Redde pro Victoria!
Our King went forth to Normandy
With grace and might of chivalry
There God for him wrought marv'losly
Where for England may call and cry.
He set a siege, sooth for to say
To Harfleur town, with royal array
The town he won, and made a fray
That France shall rue until Doomsday.
Then Went our King, with all his host
Through France, spite all the French did boast
He spared neither least, nor most
'til he came to Agincourt Coast
Then forsooth that comely Knight
In Agincourt field did manly fight
Through grace of God most mighty
He won both field and victory.
There dukes and earls, lord and baron
Were taken, slain, and that well soon
And some were led into London
With joy and mirth and great renown
Now gracious God he save our King
His people and all his good willing
Give him good live and good ending
That we with mirth may safely sing.

ITCHES IN ME BRITCHES

I was born of Geordie parents, one day when I was young
That's how the Geordie dialect became me native tongue
That I was a pretty baby, me mother she would vow
The girls all ran to kiss me, well I wish they'd do it now.
Oh I wish they'd do it now, oh I wish they'd do it now
I've got itches in me britches and I wish they'd do it now.
 Well when I was only six months old the girls would handle me
They clutched me to their bosoms and they bounced me on their knee
They would rock me in the cradle, and if I made a row
They'd tickle me, they'd cuddle me, I wish they do it now.
Chorus
At sixteen months as fine a lad as ever could be seen
The girls all liked to follow me right down to the green
They would make a chain of buttercups and drop it on me brow
Then they'd roll me in the clover, well I wish they'd do it now.
Chorus
Well the Eastern girls would call for me to swim when it was mild
Down to the river we would go and splash about a while
They would throw the water over me to duck me like a cow
Then they'd rub me nice all over, well I wish they'd do it now.
Chorus
Well it's awful lonely for a lad to lead a single life
I think I'll go to the dance tonight and find meself a wife
Oh I have got six bundle pigs, likewise one big fat sow
There'll be plenty love and bacon for the girl who'll have me now.
Chorus
For the girl who'll have me now, for the girl who'll have me now
There'll be plenty love and bacon for the girl who'll have me now.

Copywrite Effective

The following songs are used with the kind permission of Stu Venable. They, and other ofttimes humorous songs may be found on the Poxy Boggards' CD Bawdy Parts.

GOD SAVE THEE, FAIR BARLEY

Lyrics by Stu Venable, Bill Roper, Stu Rose
Music by Stu Venable
Copyright 1991 Stu Venable, Bill Roper & Stu Rose

God save thee, fair barley so good ale may flow
We raise up our tankards and down it will go
We drink through the day, we drink through the night
We drink the fair ale 'til we loseth our sight
My wife she did brew a hogshead last night
I peek in the kettle to make sure it's right
I count every hour, though scorneth my wife
I drink the fair ale every day of my life
My brother did brew a bold bitter batch
With a roasted brown barley, no beer was its match
Two weeks to ferment, two more in the kegs
But in just one night it was drained to the dregs.
Last night I did drink a batch of the worst
It tasted much better long after the first
Next morn I did wake with a terrible sore
So I reached for my tankard and tossed back some more
My father did drink three pints every night
That he and my mother got in to a fight
"You drink too much ale," my mother she cried
But my father did drink till the day he died
God save thee fair barley so good ale may flow
We raise up our tankards and down it will go
We drink through the night, we drink through the day
We drink the fair ale 'til we loseth our way.

HAPPY JACK'S UNDRINKABLE ALE

Lyrics and Music by Stu Venable
Copyright 1992 Stu Venable

Good sailors sing songs of lassies and bravery and fortune
How the sea fills their hearts with the courage to do mighty deeds
But I'll sing a song of a sailor I met in Jamaica
Who tested the bravest of brave in all seven seas.

Happy Jack's undrinkable ale
One mighty sup puts the wind in your sail
It's Happy Jack's undrinkable ale.
 Our captain once tried a tankard of Jack's mighty potion
He seemed all right so we all went off to bed
We woke to the screams of our captain way up in the crow's nest
He tried to fly with the wind and he ended up dead.
Chorus
This ale was as dark as a night with no moon in December
As bitter as a man who lost his pizzle in May
As strong as six horses, as bitter and evil as Judas
Ask the worldliest drinkers of Jack's, they'll most surely say.
Chorus
I sailed with a lad who was tall and as wide as a mountain
One half a pint put this sailor down upon one knee
We watched as he turned as white as the high cliffs of Dover
And threw-up old Jack's as a gift to the mighty blue sea.
Chorus
I once tried a thimble of Jack's demonic invention
But for the spinning I felt that I was all right
I woke with a chicken, two ducks, a lamb and an oxen
By the looks on their faces I must have had a good night.
Chorus

THE DRINKER'S PRAISE

Lyrics by Stu Venable
Music: Traditional

Come all you jolly drinkers, come listen to my lays
And join with me in chorus, I'll sing the drinkers praise

My song is of the drinker's fame
and unto you I'll relate the same
He whistles sings and drinks his ale
The brave drinking man.
At night and through the morning, the drinker can be seen
He's practicing his skillcraft, he leaves his tankard clean.
With porter whiskey and ale brown
He picks it up and pours it down
He whistles sings and drinks his ale
the brave drinking man
You see the brave strong drinker, he's rushing to the bar
He travels through the shire, from country near and far.
His duty is to drink his ale
And with resolve he shall never fail
He whistles sings and drinks his ale
the brave drinking man
God save the mighty drinker, be he great or small
Lift up your ale and sing, to drinkers short and tall
Through morn and night with vig'lence true
He'll drink his ale and leave none for you
He whistles sings and drinks his ale
The brave drinking man

THE BALLAD OF JACOB MCFEE

Lyrics by Stu Venable & Bill Roper
Music By Stu Venable
Copyright 1991 Stu Venable & Bill Roper

Pull up and ale and hear the tale of Jacob and his doggrel
He liked to write poetic verse of which he were notable
There came to pass a weeping lass her teary eyes did glisten
With all his style he gave a smile and asked if she would listen.
Oh sirrah, please go away, for I'm a fair young maiden
And if you woo me with your song, forsooth I shall be laiden.
Of fie, oh why would Jacob try her maidenhead to tickle
Can he not see, 'tis plain to we, his bardic-muse is fickle.
O weeping lass with countenance of obvious pure virtue
I do not know why you cry so, or who might so have hurt you
I'll sow a row of singed, verse, and reap for you a fable
And, pray, that thou will find in time my rhyme is impeccable.
Oh Sirah, it seems that you may have missed my meaning
'tis men like you why I boo-hoo and from them I am weaning.
A song, forsooth, to soothe the youthful lass was not impeded
The strings were taut, but he forgot, to tune the lute was needed
The lass she tried to hide inside a rising tide of horror
When she realized this caterwall was written for her.
Pray pard, sirrah, should I guffaw, would you be so offended
Your song was such, I fear my lunch on you will be upended.


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