Wiltshire Community History
Folk Song Information
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Book Title | Author | Date | Notes |
Song Title | Happy country lass |
Roud No. | 606 |
Collected From | Merritt, W. |
Location | Mersey Hampton |
County | Gloucestershire |
Collected By | Williams, Alfred |
Alternative Title | |
Tune | |
Date | |
Source Primary | WSRO: 2598/36 Packet 2 - Gloucestershire: Williams, A: MS collection No Gl 120 |
Source Secondary | Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 22nd July, 1916, p 3, Part 38, No. 2 |
Recording | |
Song Lyrics | |
Verse 1 I am a brisk and bonny lass That's free from care and strife, So sweetly do I my hours pass, I love a county life; At wake or fair I oft am there Where there's pleasure to be seen, Though poor I am contented, And as happy as a queen. Verse 2 I rise up in the morning My labour to pursue, And with my yoke and milking pail I trip the morning dew; My cows I milk and there I taste The sweet that Nature yields, And the lark is sure to welcome me Into the flowery fields. Verse 3 And when the meadows they are mown My part I then do take, And with the other village maids I go the hay to make, Where friendship, love and harmony Amongst us there is seen, And the swains invite the village maids To dance upon the green. Verse 4 Now in the time of harvest So cheerfully we go, Some our hooks and sickles, And men with scythes to mow; And when the corn is safe from harm, We have not far to roam, But all await to celebrate And welcome harvest home. Verse 5 Now in the winter, when the cattle Are foddered with straw, The cock he crows to wake me My icy cream to thaw; The western winds may whistle, And northern winds may blow, 'Tis health and sweet contentment The country lass doth know. Verse 6 In winter or in summer We are never known to grieve, In time of need, each other Will their neighbours relieve: So I still think a country life All others does surpass, I sit me down contented, I'm a happy country lass. | |
Print Song Lyrics | |
Notes | |
Note 1 Williams, Alfred: Ms / WGS: 'For many years this song was the first to be sung at the general harvest home observed at Meysey Hampton. It is of good age. I have seen the words on an old ballad sheet bought at Cirencester Mop. Copy of W Merritt, Mersey Hampton.' Note 2 Verses 1, 5 and 6 are heavily corrected. The original wording is crossed out in heavy blue crayon. Verses 2 and 4 contain slight corrections. The alternative lines are: Verse 1 line 5 on: For I do think a county life All others to surpass I can sit me down contented I'm a happy country lass. Verse 2 line 7: And the lark so soon to welcome me Verse 4 line 7: But we away to master's house Verse 5 line 5 on: I do not mind cold frost or snow Nor yet the stormy blast I can sit me down contented I'm a happy country lass. Verse 6 lines 3 and 4: In sickness or in sorrow Each neighbour does relieve Verse 6 line 6: All others to surpass Verse 6 line 7: Now I'll sit me down contented Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2010. |
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