TY Lighter, Here's the text from Popular ballads and songs, from tradition, MSS., and scarce eds.; edited by Robert Jamieson, 1806 which he says comes from the 1656 edition of "Musarum Deliciae." There are numerous small differences which may be editorial-- the question is why are there differences. Jamieson's notes and text follow: *From "Musarum Deliciae, or the Muse's recreation, containing several pieces of Poetique Wit, the second edit, by sir J. M. and A. S. 1656." It is also found in "Wit Restored, by J.S. London, 1658 and in Dryden's Miscellanies; and is said to be by Mr Smith. THE MILLER AND THE KING'S DAUGHTER There were two sisters, they went a-playing, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a; To see their father's ships sailing in, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a. And when they came into the sea brim, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a, The elder did push the younger in, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a. "O sister, sister, take me by the gown, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a', And draw me up on the dry ground, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a'." "O sister, O sister, that may not be, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a, Till salt and oatmeal grow both of a tree, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a." Somtymes she sank, sometimes she swam, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a', Untill she came unto the milldam, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a'. The miller run hastily down the cliffe, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a, And up he betouk her withouten life, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a. What did he doe with her brest bone, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a, He made him a violl to play thereupon, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a. What did he doe with her fingers so small, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a', He made him peggs to his viol withall, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a. What did he doe with her nose-ridge, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a', Unto his violl he made him a bridge, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a'. What did he with her veynes so blew, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a', He made him strings to his viole thereto, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a. What did he doe with her eyes so bright, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a', Upon his violl he play'd at first sight, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a'. What did he doe with her tongue so rough, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a? Unto the violl it spoke enough, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a. What did he doe with her two shinnes, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a', Unto the violl they danct Moll Syins, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a. Then bespake the treble string, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a, "O yonder is my father the king, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a." Then bespake the second string, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a. "O yonder sits my mother the queen, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a." And then bespake the strings all three, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a. "O yonder is my sister that drowned mee, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a." "Now pay the miller for his payne, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a; And let him begone in the devil's name, With a hie downe, downe, a downe a." * * * * Richie
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