1 (Tune 1) When I was young, I went courting round Dorset A pretty young maid with a delicate touch, And rashly I promised I’d follow her anywhere, Well, I never thought she'd like walking so much.
2 (Tune 1) She said, "Meet me this evening in Charmouth at seven, Across the green meadows to Beaminster we'll stroll." But when I got to Charmouth, she'd popped into Bridport, And a rope maker told me she'd gone to Puncknowle.
3 (Tune 2) Eypes Mouth and Abbotsbury, Winterbourne Steepleton, I limped into Dorchester weary and lame. I thought she might wait, but I was too late. She'd gone off with a milkman to Winterbourne Came.
4 (Tune 1) I met her next evening by Fontmell Crosstree. She was fresh as a daisy. I was stiff as a board. She said, "Let's go up the hill to Tarrant Gunville, And a drink in the Bugle Horn shall be your reward."
5 (Tune 2) Oh! Blow that old Bugle Horn, she rushed on to Hinton, Then Monkton and Keyneston and Spetisbury as well. As I crawled into Blandford, she called in at Hanford, And courted a clubman on Hambledon Hill.
6 (Tune 1) We went to Corfe Castle. Round the ruins we rambled. She held my hand tight as the sun slipped away. I was ready for kissing, but off she went missing, To Kimmericige, Lulworth and Worbarrow Bay.
7 (Tune 2) I made her a gift of two lovely wool jumpers. I begged her to wear 'em but still she'd not stop. Studland, Sandbanks, the ferry to Brownsea-- She said, "Let's go to Ashmore", and down I did drop.
8 (Tune 1) At Christmas to Sherborne I took her shopping, But she sloped off to Thorncornbe and Melbury Bubb, Then Corscombe, Mosterton, Toller Porcorum, At Newton, my maiden ran straight past the pub.
9 (Tune 1) She flew on to Batcombe, Up Cerne and Duntish. When I went to Pulham, she climbed Woolland Hill. As I paddled the Piddle, she went to Purce Caundle, With a cove from the navy they call Portland Bill.
10 (Tune 1) She said, "Men are feeble. To walk they ain't able. All over Dorset I've led you a dance.” "My dear," I says nicely, "Please don't deride me. If you want to ramble, give me one more chance."
11 (Tune 1) I said, "Let's start at Shaftesbury, then Marnhull and Manston. I'll meet you on Bulbarrow Hill if you like." She was off like the wind but I just sat and grinned, 'Cos in Hazelbury Bryan I'd hidden my bike.
12 (Tune 2) When she got to Bulbarrow, I was in Stalbridge. I put ad in the paper saying, "Meet me in Leigh". When she got to Durweston, I popped the question Saying, "Stand still a minute and please marry I.”
13 (Tune 1) We honeymooned in Bedchester, lived cosy at Warmwell. I told her I’d won her. She said, "None of your lip. I could see you were cheatin'. A girl can't be beaten By a chap who goes walking in bicycle clips."
14 (Tune 2) We moved to Long Bredy and raised a large family. The high hills of Dorset together we roam. And I know before long, when they grow fine and strong, Our children will ramble away from their home.
T Laycock Recorded on: Cassette Looking for the Sunshine - Conifer MCRR 502 CD Looking for the Sunshine – Conifer CDRR502