Rolling in the Dew

Collected by Bob Copper in about 1954 from a book left by John Johnson (right), 1865-1943, in Fittleworth, Sussex: 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.

---

O where are you going, my sweet and pretty fair maid,
With your red rosy cheeks and your curly black hair?
O I am going a milking,
Kind sir, she answered me,
For rolling in the dew makes the milkmaids so fair.

Shall I go along with you, my sweet and pretty fair maid,
With your red rosy cheeks and your curly black hair?
Just as you please,
Kind sir, she answered me,
For rolling in the dew makes the milkmaids so fair.

Supposing I should lay you down, my sweet and pretty fair maid,
With your red rosy cheeks and your curly black hair?
Then you would have to pick me up again,
Kind sir, she answered me,
For rolling in the dew makes the milkmaids so fair.

Supposing you should be with child, my sweet and pretty fair maid,
With your red rosy cheeks and your curly black hair?
Then you would be the father of it,
Kind sir, she answered me,
For rolling in the dew makes the milkmaids so fair.

What would you do for linen, my sweet and pretty fair maid,
With your red rosy cheeks and your curly black hair?
My father he's a linen draper,
Kind sir, she answered me,
For rolling in the dew makes the milkmaids so fair.

What would you do for a cradle, my sweet and pretty fair maid,
With your red rosy cheeks and your curly black hair?
My brother he's a basket-maker,
Kind sir, she answered me,
For rolling in the dew makes the milkmaids so fair.

Supposing I should go to sea, my sweet and pretty fair maid,
With your red rosy cheeks and your curly black hair?
Then I might follow after you,
Kind sir, she answered me,
For rolling in the dew makes the milkmaids so fair.

Supposing I should jump overboard, my sweet and pretty fair maid,
With your red rosy cheeks and your curly black hair?
Then the Devil would jump after you,
Kind sir, she answered me,
For rolling in the dew makes the milkmaids so fair.

---

New: 10 March 2002 | Now: 10 March 2002 | Garry Gillard | index