As Broad as I was Walking
Collected by Bob Copper from a book left by John Johnson (right), 1865-1943, in Fittleworth, Sussex in about 1954: see Chapter Nine, pp. 83-9, of Songs and Southern Breezes for the details; and the appendix for these words. The photo of John Johnson at his garden date is credited to George Garland of Petworth (West Sussex). Click on the photo for a much larger one (also by George Garland, and which might have been taken around 1940) of John Johnson and his wife on their golden wedding anniversary.
As broad as I was walking down in a shady grove,
I heard a fair maid talking, lamenting for her love
Till I became a-courting her in a rude and rakish way,
But her behaviour it was so clever, so modest and yet gay.I clasped my arms all round her, I gave her kisses sweet,
I gently did salute her till she began to weep;
She wept, she wailed, she wrung her hands, crying out,Young man, for shame!
I pray be easy and do not tease me, for I think you are to blame.Or do you think that I am some mistress of delight,
Or do you think that I am a-going to be ruined quite?
Oh no, oh no, oh no, said she, such ways will never do,
I have a lover of good behaviour that's far exceeding you.That man that I admire, he is both kind and true,
He's comely in behaviour that's far exceeding you
He's proper tall, genteel with all, he has no deluding tongue,
He is no rover but a true lover to me, a damsel youngAnd if I can't enjoy the man that I love best,
I never will get married as long as I draw breath.
No, never will I married be nor yet be made a wife
If I lose my choice, I will rejoice in a sweet and single life.
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