I been a-rambing all this night,
And some time of this day;
And now returning back again
I brought you a garland gay.

A garland gay I have brought you here,
And at your door I stand,
'Tis nothing but a sprout but 'tis well budded out,
The work of Our Lord's hand.

So dear, so dear, as Christ loved us,
And for our sins was slain,
Christ bids us turn from wickedness,
And turn to the Lord again.

Why don't you do as we have done,
The very first day of May,
And from my parents I have come
And would no longer stay.

abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Lucy Broadwood and J A Fuller Maitland. 1893, English County Songs, Leadenhall Press, London

Notes:
Lucy Broadwood wrote:

Words and tune from a printed version, edited by J. F. Frye, Saffron Waldon; it was sung by the children of Debden, in 1857. The two forms of the tunel here set to verses 1 and 2 respectively, are alternative versions; the extra two bars "And turn to the Lord again" belong only to verse 3.

Roud: 305 (Search Roud index at VWML) Take Six
Laws:
Child: