Three Maidens

Collected by Bob Copper in about 1954, from Fred Hewett, of Mapledurwell [pronounced 'Mapley-well'], Hants: see Chapter Sixteen, pp. 135-140, of Songs and Southern Breezes for the details; and the appendix for these words.

Three maidens to milking did go (repeat),
And the wind it did blow high and the wind it did blow low,
And it tossed their milking pails to and fro.

I met with a man I knew well (repeat),
And I kindly asked of him if he had got any skills
For to catch me a small bird or two.

O yes, I got some excellent good skills (repeat),
Now come along with me down by yonder shady tree,
I'll catch thee a small bird or two.

Here's luck to the blackbird and thrush (repeat),
It's a bird of one feather and we'll all flock together,
Let the people say little or much.

Here's luck to the jolly dragoon (repeat),
We'll ramble all the day and at night we'll stand or play,
And go home by the light of the moon.

He tapped at the bush and the little birds flew out
Right into her lily-white breast.