trad
Collected by Cecil Sharp from William ‘Farmer’ King in 1904.
The Watersons: Rosebuds in June
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVbAFVKURQM
Here the rosebuds in June and the violets are blowing, The small birds they warble on every green bough. Here’s the pink and the lily and the daffy-down-dilly To adorn and perfume those sweet meadows in June. Chorus (after each verse): If it weren’t for the plough, the fat ox would grow slow And the lads and the bonny lasses to the sheep-shearing go. Our shepherds rejoice in their fine heavy fleeces, And frisky young lambs which their flocks do increase. Each lad takes his lass all on the green grass To adorn and perfume those sweet meadows in June. Our clean milking pails, they are fouled with good ale; At the table, there’s plenty of cheer to be found. We’ll whistle and sing and we’ll dance in a ring To adorn and perfume those sweet meadows in June. Now sheep-shearing’s over and harvest do draw nigh, We’ll prepare for the fields, our strength for to try. We’ll reap and we’ll mow, we’ll plough and we’ll sow To adorn and perfume those sweet meadows in June.