ALL JOLLY FELLOWS THAT FOLLOW THE PLOUGH

It was early one morning at the break of the day,
The cocks were a-crowing and the farmer did say
"Arise, my good fellow, arise with good will,
For your horses want something their bellies to fill."

When five o'clock comes to the stable we're away,
To fill up our horses with corn and with hay.
And with rubbing and scrubbing our horses, I vow,
We're all jolly fellows that follow the plough

When six o'clock comes then our breakfast we meet,
With bread, beef and pork, boys, we heartily eat.
With a piece in our pocket, I'll swear and I'll vow
We're all jolly fellows that follow the plough

When seven o'clock comes to the fields brave and bold,
To see which of us a straight furrow can hold.
Then with whistling and singing, I'll swear and I'll vow
We're all jolly fellows that follow the plough

Then our master comes to us and thus he did say,
"What have you been doing, boys, all the long day.
For you haven't ploughed an acre, I'll swear and I'll vow
And you're damned idle fellows that follow the plough."

Then I turned round on him, and made this reply.
"We've all ploughed our acre, so you tell a lie.
We've all ploughed our acre, I'll swear and I'll vow
And we're all jolly fellows that follow the plough."

Then he turned to one side, and he laughed at the joke.
"It's past two o'clock boys and it's time to unyoke.
Unharness your horses and rub them down well,
And I'll bring you a jug of the very best ale."

So come all young fellows, take warning from me.
And don't fear your master whoever he may be.
But tell him quite plainly with a curse and a bow
That we're all damned good fellows that follow the plough .

Tune: Villikins and his Dinah (without chorus)
Collected 1982 from Gordon Syrett (b 1887) at Mendlesham Green, Suffolk.