From The Bodleian Library ballad collection, 2806 c.16(64).
Harding B 11(2370) is similar.


MARY'S GARDEN AND THE GARDENERS ROOT

Young Mary had got a small garden so neat,
It blossomed so pleasing, so fair and complete,
And Johnny the gardener would long indeed,
To sow in young Mary's garden his seed.

No flower had yet blown in her garden at all,
So the gardener a root had and not very small,
So he showed it the maid, it her favour did win,
And at length she agreed that he should plant it in.

So next day was agreed on to finish the job,
When the gardener's root Mary said she would rob,
So he turned up the mould and to plant it began,
And the seed in her garden so quickly it ran.

Young Mary with transport and pleasure did cry,
When the root and the seed met her wonder struck eye,
Says she, Johnny, tell me what is it now speak,
I should guess from its length and its strength 'tis a leek.

Says he, 'tis a daffa-down-dilly my dear,
It's too large for my garden, says she sir, I fear,
Oh no it is not, he exclaimed with a grin,
If you'll lend me your hand we will soon get it in.

Their labour was hard, but they tried all their might,
And at length they contrived to put it out of sight,
When suddenly she in astonishment cried,
Why see here's two onions [left] dangling outside.

Says Johnny, my dear these two onions you trace,
They keep the root standing in the proper place,
Says she, why I thought so, I'm certain and sure,
Cause, I found when I squeezed them it stood more and more.

So Mary her garden from that very day,
Gave up to the care of young Johnny they say,
And before she'd no flowers at all I declare,
But now she has flowers twelve times every year.