Recorded by Martin Carthy.....

The Ball o' Yarn

In the merry month of May
when the birds begin to play
I took a walk quite early in the morning
There I met a pretty maid
she was knitting all of her trade
And I asked her could I wind her ball of yarn

Oh no kind sir she said we are strangers you and I
It's then ye might have any other darling
And besides I've friends in town
they have money all bright in store
And it's there they wind me little ball of yarn

I put my arm around her and I gently laid her down
I meant to do this fair maid no harm
In the middle of the green
where I knew I would be seen
It was there I winded up her ball of yarn

So come all you fair young maidens
and a warning take be me
Don't take your walk so early in the morning
Where the blackbird and the thrush
they are singing all in yon bush
Keep your hand all on your little ball of yarn