The Nutting Maid

Collected by Bob Copper from George Attrill (right) in Stopham, Sussex in about 1954: see Chapter Eight, pp. 73-82, of Songs and Southern Breezes for the details; and the appendix, pp. 215, for these words. The photo of George Attrill, West Sussex Council roadman, is credited to George Garland of Petworth (West Sussex).

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Come all you brisk young fellows, come listen to my song,
Come listen to my ditty, it will not take you long.
It's of a fair young maiden that lived down in Kent,
And she rose one summer morning and she a-nutting went.

It's of a fair young farmer, was ploughing of his land,
And he called to his horses and gently bade them stand.
He sat himself down on his plough a song for to begin,
And his voice was so melodious It made the valley ring.

Now while this young maiden was a-nutting in the wood,
His voice was so melodious it charmed her where she stood.
And she had no longer power in that lonely wood to stray,
And what nuts that she had got, poor gal, she flung them all away.

She went straightway to the ploughboy as he set on his plough,
She said, Young man I find myself indeed I can't tell how.
He said, My pretty fair maid, I'm glad to see you here,
Come set yourself down by my side, I'll keep from you all fear.

Now young Johnny left his horses, likewise he left his plough,
And he took her to some shady grove his courage for to show.
He took her all round her middle so small and gently laid her down,
And she said, My dear, I think I see the world go round and round.

Now he went back to his horses to finish off his song,
He said, My pretty fair maid, your mother will think you long.
But she flung her arms all round his neck as they went over the plain,
She said, My dear, I should like to see the world go round again.

Now all you pretty fair maids a warning take in time,
And if a-nutting you should go, pray do get home in time.
For if you should stay out late to hear the ploughboy sing,
It's a nurse you are sure to want at the beginning of the spring.

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