The Banks of the Mossen

Collected by Bob Copper in about 1954 from Harold 'Jim' Swain in Angmering, Sussex: see Chapter Ten, pp. 90-95, of Songs and Southern Breezes for the details; and the appendix for these words.

As I was a-walking down by some shady grove,
Down by some shady fancy, my heart my soul's delight.

Chorus:
Young lambs they were a-playing all on the banks of sweet Mossen,
All on the banks of sweet Mossen all on through happy spring,
The lark all in the air she rise all in the morning
And brings me joyful tidings of Nancy my dear.

The song-birds on the branches is now sat down to rest
I'll write to lovely Nancy, my heart my soul's delight.
Chorus

Oh, give me ink and paper that I may sit down to write
I'll write to lovely Nancy, my heart my soul's delight.
Chorus