The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #5330   Message #2346595
Posted By: Jim Dixon
21-May-08 - 11:49 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Lavender's Blue
Subject: Lyr Add: DIDDLE DIDDLE, OR THE KIND COUNTRY LOVERS
Here's my transcription of the broadsideā€”see Masato's link above:

Diddle, Diddle.
Or,
The Kind Country Lovers.

With sly insinuations he perswades her
And by the bands of Love, along he leads her.
Relating pleasant stories for to bind her
And all to make her unto him prove kinder.
And so in Love at last they live together
With pleasant dayes enjoying one another.

Tune of Lavender green, &c.

With Allowance, Ro. L'Estrange.

Lavenders green, didle, didle
  Lavenders blue,
You must love me, diddle, diddle
  cause I love you.
I heard one say, diddle, didle,
  since I came hither
That you & I diddle, diddle.
  must lie together.

My Hostesse maid, diddle, dddle
  her name was Nell,
She was a Lass, diddle diddle
  that I loved well.
But if she dye Diddle, diddle,
  by some mishap,
The she shall lye, Diddle, d[iddle]
  under the Tap.

That she may drink Diddle, diddle,
  when she's a dry,
Because she lov'd Diddle, diddle
  my Dog & I.
Call up your Maids Diddle, diddle
  set them to work,
Some to make Hay, Diddle, diddle
  some to the Rock.

Some to make Hay, Diddle, diddle,
  some to the Corn
Whilst you and I Diddle, diddle,
  keep the bed warm.
Let the birds sing, Diddle, diddle
  and the lambs play,
We shall be safe Diddle, diddle
  out of harms way.

James at the George, Diddle, diddle
  Sue at the Swan,
He loves his maid, Diddle diddle,
  she loves her man.
But if they chance Diddle, diddle
  for to be found,
Catch them i'th Corn Diddle diddle
  put them i'th pound.

I heard a bird Diddle, diddle
  sing in my Ear
Maids will be scarce Diddle, diddle
  the next New year.
For young men are Diddle diddle
  so wanton grown
That they ne'r mind Diddle, didle,
  which is their own.

Down in a Vale Diddle diddle
  where flowers do grow,
And the trees bud Diddle diddle
  all on a row.
A brisk young man Diddle diddle
  met with a Maid,
And laid her down, Diddle diddle
  under the shade.

Where they did play Diddle, diddle
  & kiss & Court,
Like lambs in May Diddle diddle
  making fine sport.
There lives a Lass Diddle diddle
  over the Green,
She sells good Ale Diddle diddle
  think what I mean.

Oft have I been Diddle diddle
  with her i'th dark
And yet I nere Diddle diddle
  shot at the mark.
But now my Dear Diddle diddle
  have at thy burnin[?]
For I do swear Diddle diddle
  now I am come.

I will be kind Diddle diddle
  until I dye,
Then prithee love Diddle didle
  my Dog & I.
For thee & I Diddle diddle
  now are all one,
And we will lye Diddle diddle
  no more alone.

Finis.

London, Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright(?) and J. Clark.