Now the winter is over and summer is come,
And the meadows they look pleasant and gay;
I spied a fair maid and so sweetly sung she,
And her cheeks like the blossom of May.
I said, "My fair maid, oh! its how come you here,
In these meadows so soon in the morn?"
Oh! the maid she replied, "For to gather some May,
For the trees are all now in full bloom."

I said, "My fair maid, Oh! shall I accompany you,
In these meadows so pleasant and gay?"
Oh! the maid she replied, "I would rather be excused,
I'm afraid you will lead me astray."
Then I took hold of her lily-white hand,
'Pon the green grassy banks we sat down,
Then I planted a kiss on her sweet ruby lips,
While the small birds were singing all round.

And when we arose, Oh! she gave to me a smile,
And she thanked me for what I had done,
Then I planted a sprig in her snowy-white breast,
And, believe me, there never grows a thorn.
'Twas early next morning I made her my bride,
That the people might have nothing to say,
Then the bells they did ring and the bridesmaids did sing,
And I crowned her the Queen of the May.

abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Purslow, F, 1968,The Wanton Seed, EFDS Publications, London

Notes:
Frank Purslow wrote:

Hammond D 509. Text and tune from Sam Dawe, Beaminster. An 18th century minor art-song which has kept its place in the tradition fairly well. Sam Dawe's tune sounds very "composed" but it has many similarities to a number of Irsih tunes, The Foggy Dew, for instance (the tune to which A. P. Graves wrote his new verses).

Roud: 594 (Search Roud index at VWML) Take Six
Laws:
Child:

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Related Songs:  Foggy Dew,The (melodic)