Hi Brian,

One way to group the versions is by the refrains:

1. "Blow, blow, blow, ye winds blow" or "The wind blew the bonny lassie's plaidie awa' "
2. Herb refrains, such as "Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme."
3. Syllable refrains.
4. "Sing ivy," refrains.

Here's a similar version to the broadside text published by Joseph Ritson about the same date (c. 1780) from "Gammer Gurton's Garland; Or, The Nursery Parnassus. A Choice Collection of Pretty Songs and Verses" (c. 1783).

"Can you make me a cambrick shirt,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Without any seam or needle work?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

"Can you wash it in yonder well,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Where never sprung water nor rain ever fell?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

"Can you dry it on yonder thorn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Which never bore blossom since Adam was born?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

"Now you have asked me questions three,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
I hope you'll answer as many for me.
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

"Can you find me an acre of land,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Between the salt water and the sea sand?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

"Can you plow it with a ram's horn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And sow it all over with one pepper corn?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

"Can you reap it with a sickle of leather,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And bind it up with a peacock's feather?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

"When you have done, and finished your work,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Then come to me for your cambrick shirt,
And you shall be a true lover of mine."

* * * *

Richie