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Wiltshire Community History

Folk Song Information

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Book Title

Author

Date

Notes

Song Title	Shepherd on the plain
Roud No.	1433
Collected From	Sellars, Charles
Location	Eastleach
County	Gloucestershire
Collected By	Williams, Alfred
Alternative Title
Tune
Date
Source Primary	WSRO: 2598/36 Packet 2 - Gloucestershire: Williams, A: MS collection No Gl 83
Source Secondary	Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 16th October, 1915, p 2, Part 3, No. 12
Recording

Song Lyrics
Verse 1 It's of a gentle shepherd kept his sheep on yonder plain, He was minding his sheep on a bright summer's morn; A lady of honour he chanced for to find, And on the young shepherd she fixed her mind. Verse 2 He played on his pipe and his flock it drew near, Which caused this young lady to stand still to hear; She said - 'Gentle shepherd, pray where do you dwell? I think in my heart I could love you right well.' Verse 3 He says - 'Fair lady, you had better forbear, You might have a man with a thousand a year; You might have a man that is richer than me.' 'I am deeply in love,' this young lady said she. Verse 4 Then straight to the tailor's shop she did go, And ordered a suit from the head to the toe; With a gold laced hat, and a holland shirt so fine, She dressed her young shepherd, it was her design. Verse 5 Down under the shady oak tree that was green, She dressed this young shepherd like a squire to be seen; A gold watch from her pocket she freely did give, She says, 'Gentle shepherd, now can you believe?' Verse 5 They went to the church and were married with speed, And the shepherd he knew not his lady indeed; A coach and attendants stood ready waiting there, Now the shepherd's a squire worth a thousand a year.

Print Song Lyrics

Notes
Williams, Alfred: Ms / WGS: 'A typical shepherd song. Obtained at Eastleach, of Charles Sellars.' Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2010.