Awake, ye drowsy maids, awake,
Behold the beausteous morning break;
The rosy kirtled dawn appears
To kiss away night's heavy tears.

The lark is thrilling in the height,
A voice and not a speck in sight,
The blackbirds brooding o'er their nests,
Instruct their young from tuneful breasts.

Already Roger with his crook
Attends his flock at yonder brook,
And blushing Betty at his side,
For sure by June will be his bride.

Already lowing in the stall
The cows from you attention call;
Ope, ope, ye maids, your honest eyes,
The stars viel theirs in paling skies.

Ye wretched sluggards in your beds,
With parched thraots and aching heads,
What rapture and frersh charms ye miss
Who lose the sun's arising kiss.

Awake, ye drowsly maids, awake,
The cobwebs from your fancies shake;
We lads without, our feet in dew,
Are calling, with the cows, for you.


abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Sabine Baring Gould, 1895, Old English Songs from English Minstrelsie

Notes:
This is taken from the selection of the eight volume work by Baring Gould of the same name, reprinted by Llanerch Publishers.

From English Minstrelsie, vol. VIII. i, 4.

"An old and well-used English melody. The song, words and music, are in Watts' Musical Miscellany, vol. ii., 1729. The words were by Arthur Bradley. They have been slightly altered. By whom the air was composed is not known. The melody was taken into the Ballad Opera of The Fashionable Lady, 1730"

Roud:
Laws:
Child: