"'TWAS ON THE MORN."
(Vol. vi., p. 556.)
This is a very celebrated Gloucestershire ballad, which though at one time popular, is, I believe, rarely heard now. I have before me an old and much mutilated broadside of it, which, at the conclusion, has the initials "L. & B." I presume the words are wanted, and therefore send them; and not knowing whether the tune has been published, will also forward it, if wished for by your querist.
1.
"'Twas on the morn of sweet May-day,
When Nature painted all things gay,
Taught birds to sing, and lambs to play,
And gild the meadows fair;
Young Jockey, early in the morn,
Arose and tript across the lawn;
His Sunday clothes the youth put on,
For Jenny had vow'd away to run
With Jockey to the fair.
For Jenny had vow'd away to run
With Jockey to the fair.
2.
The cheerful parish bells had rung,
With eager steps he trudg'd along,
While rosy garlands round him hung,
Which shepherds us'd to wear;
He tapt the window: 'Haste, my dear;'
Jenny impatient cry'd, 'Who's there?'
''Tis I, my love, and no one near;
Step gently down, you've nought to fear,
With Jockey to the fair.'
Step gently, &c.
3.
'My dad and mammy's fast asleep,
My brother's up, and with the sheep;
And will you still your promise keep,
Which I have heard you swear?
And will you ever constant prove?'
'I will, by all the Powers above,
And ne'er deceive my charming dove.
Dispel those doubts, and haste, my love,
With Jockey to the fair.'
Dispel, &c.
4.
'Behold the ring,' the shepherd cry'd;
'Will Jenny be my charming bride?
Let Cupid be our happy guide,
And Hymen meet us there.'
Then Jockey did his vows renew;
He would be constant, would be true.
His word was pledg'd; away she flew,
With cowslips tipt with balmy dew,
With Jockey to the fair.
With cowslips, &c.
5.
In raptures meet the joyful train;
Their gay companions, blithe and young,
Each join the dance, each join the throng,
To hail the happy pair.
In turns there's none so fond as they,
They bless the kind, propitious day,
The smiling morn of blooming May,
When lovely Jenny ran away
With Jockey to the fair.
When lovely, &c.
H. G. D.