Learned this off of a videotape of a morris dance sing-round. I know I got some of the verses from some other source (they were unintelligable on the tape), but I cant recall where. No idea about the author, age.

Blackthorn

Well I'd sooner be hedgin' than build a stone wall
And put up and push it and hope it don't fall
When the east wind blows bitter and hard in the trees
I'd rather lay blackthorn than dry-all and freeze

Cho:
And I'd sooner lay blackthorn,
sooner lay blackthorn,
Sooner lay blackthorn the rest of me days

I'd sooner go hedgin' than spend all me days
Seeking wealth and position and other mens' praise
Pike, billhook and axe are the tools of me trade
Six shillings a chain is the rate I am paid

I'd sooner go hedging than read from a book
For the longer you study the darker things look
And this readin' and weepin' is hard on the eyes
I'd rather lay blackthorn than learn to be wise

I'd sooner go hedgin', the best thing I know
For anger and anguish (at?) women make woe.
For no matter how hurt or assaulted I feel
A tussle with blackthorn will help it to heal

I'd sooner go hedgin' but come the next spring
I'm up and away like a bird on the wing
And all that I'll miss when I reach my new home
Is hedges to hack at and blackthorn in bloom

I'd sooner drink blackthorn when it brings forth its sloe
Its rheumy red liquor's the best that I know
Well it slips down your throat and it makes you feel good
You may drink your wines but you know that I would
(sooner DRINK blackthorn . .. )

The main body of the song is about making hedgerow out of blackthorn. The last verse may have been added later.

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