Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads, Harding B 25(1084):

THE LASS WITH THE DELICATE AIR

1. Young Molly who liv'd at the foot of the hill,
And whose fame ev'ry virgin with envy does fill,
Of Beauty is blest with so ample a share,
That men call her the lass with the delicate air.

2. One ev'ning last May, when I travers'd the grove,
In thoughtless retirement, not dreaming of love,
I chanc'd to [e]spy the gay nymph, I declare,
And really she'd got a most delicate air.

3. By a murmuring brook, by a green mossy bed,
A chaplet composing, the fair one was laid;
Surpriz'd and transported, I could not forbear,
With rapture to gaze on her delicate air.

4. That moment young Cupid selected a dart
And pierc'd, without pity, my innocent heart,
And from thence how to win the dear maid was my care,
For a captive I fell to her delicate air.

5. When she saw me, she blush'd, and complain'd I was rude,
And beg'd of all things that I would not intrude.
I answer'd, I could not tell how I came there,
But laid all the blame on her delicate air;

6. Said her heart was the prize which I fought to obtain,
And hop'd she would grant it to ease my fond pain.
She neither rejected, nor granted my pray'r,
But fir'd all my soul with her delicate air.

7. A thousand times since I've repeated my suit,
But still the tormentor affects to be mute;
Then tell me, ye swains, who have conquer'd the fair,
How to win the dear lass with the delicate air.


Another version, with sheet music, is given in The School Song Book .... By Osbourne McConathy, 1909. Although the only attribution given is to Dr. Thomas Arne, it contains 2 verses that are not in the version above:

2. Like sunshine, her glances so tenderly fall,
She smiles not for one but she smiles on us all,
And many a heart she has eased of its care,
Will bless the dear lass with the delicate air,
With the delicate air,
Will bless the dear lass with the delicate air.

3. So snowy her kerchief, so dainty is she,
No garland of posies could prettier be,
And, toiling or resting, she ever doth wear
Sweetest charm of all maidens, a delicate air,
A delicate air,
Sweetest charm of all maidens, a delicate air.