So Abroad as I was Walking Collected by Bob Copper in about 1954, from Victor 'Turp' Brown, of Cheriton, Hants: see Chapter Eighteen, pp. 151-168, of Songs and Southern Breezes for the details; and the appendix for these words.
So abroad as I was walking down by some silent grove,
Down by some crystal fountain I saw my own true love
When flowers were a-springing young lambs they were a-playing,
It's down by the banks of Ireland so carelessly they lay.The first time I saw my love she quite surprised me
With the blooming of her cheeks and the spark-a-ling of her eyes,
My love she's tall, she's handsome, most beautiful and fair,
There's not a-one in this count-ery can with my love compare.So walking and a-talking, a-walking goes I
To meet my own sweet William, he'll surely come bye and bye,
When meeting is a pleasure and parting is a grief
And an inconstant lover is worse than a thief.For a thief he will rob you and take all you have,
But an inconstant lover will drive you to the grave,
The grave it will decay you and turn you to dust.
There's not a-one in this count-ery, my love, as you can trust.
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