This is the Hampshire version as sung by Daniel Wigg. The words are rather different from the other versions given above.


'TWAS THROUGH THE GROVES

'Twas through the groves the other day
One morning by the break of day,
'Twas there I heard a fair maid say,
The lad I love is gone astray.

O hark, O hark, what voice I hear,
I think it is my dearest dear.
If I had wings I would fly to him
To see what love, true love could bring.

If I had a lock fixed to my breast
I'd keep it locked whilst life shall last,
With a golden lock and a silver key
To keep my heart from going astray.

Over hills and dales and shady rocks
Where shepherds do attend their harmless flocks,
Over hills and dales and valleys low
The hills and dales were covered with snow.

On the banks of lilies I lay my head,
The heavens above shall be my comrade.
There I will lay till the break of day,
The harmless lambs shall round me play.

Roud Index #1046

Collected by George Gardiner from Mr Daniel Wigg at Preston Candover by Alresford, Hants, July 1907. The text is as printed in James Reeves, The Everlasting Circle, (London, Heinemann, 1960) p.165.
Gardiner's mss., which are held at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, include the music to this song.