Phyllis and Her Mother

Waiting for her shepherd lover,
Tra la ra lee Te ra le ra la
Little Phyllis took to cover
Tra le ra lee Te ra.
Into the bushes, she did creep,
And while waiting fell asleep.
Tee ra le ra lee Tee ra le ra la,
Te ra le ra lee Tee ra le ra la.

But her mother was suspicious;
Tra la ra lee Te ra le ra la
Stolen fruits are so delicious!
Tra le ra lee Te ra
After Phyllis she did creep,
Found the innocent fast asleep
Tee ra le ra lee Tee ra le ra la,
Te ra le ra lee Tee ra le ra la.

Pleased to find how well she'd taught her,
Tra la ra lee Te ra le ra la
Motherwise, she kissed her daughter.
Tra le ra lee Te ra
"Oh," sighed Phyllis, half awake
"Damon dear, how long you take!"
Tee ra le ra lee Tee ra le ra la,
Te ra le ra lee Tee ra le ra la.

Hear the angry mother screaming!
Tra la ra lee Te ra le ra la
Fright'ning Phyllis from her dreaming,
Tra le ra lee Te ra.
"Brazen hussy! You fooled me so!
"To a convent you shall go!"
Tee ra le ra lee Tee ra le ra la,
Te ra le ra lee Tee ra le ra la.

Phyllis shivered with misgiving,
Tra la ra lee Te ra le ra la
"That's not my idea of living."
Tra le ra lee Te ra.
"And if love is wrong," said she,
"Tell me how I came to be."
Tee ra le ra lee Tee ra le ra la,
Te ra le ra lee Tee ra le ra la.

Trad, from singing of Richard Dyer-Bennet
Richard Dyer-Bennet 1 August 1955
DRO