Hey there,
I have some thoughts on this song, as recorded by Steeleye Span...I wonder if anyone has some info and thoughts as well...for instance, where did they get their version of it, what country is it from, what date?

Here's the words as I transcribed them several years ago. I have probably altered them by as well. I think this song is a reference to the old pagan religion. I think that three maidens refers to the triple aspect of the Goddess- usually maid, mother and crone, but symbolically interchangeable. The young man they know I think of as Robin Hood or Jack in the Green, The God, Her lover. What happens next is of course obvious...the bird in the bush.... The ancient sacred rite- fertilizing, fecundating, etc.

Now here is what I find most interesting:

TO DRINK UP THE SUN, WE'LL DRINK DOWN THE MOON, LET THE PEOPLE SAY LITTLE OR NONE! The sun is I believe a reference to the male-god, and the moon a reference to the female-goddess. 'Drinking it up and down' a reference to the act of taking the god/goddess into oneself- something practiced in many religions even today- for example the shamanistic Jzankris of Nepal, where I live. And Finally: 'Let the people say little or none'. During several centuries people tried to practice the old rites covertly, as secretly as possible- off in the forest perhaps- to escape detection, inquisition and the stake!

So what are your thoughts and/or info to add?
I see this story in the song, but for all I know this version was simply written by Steeleye Span...because I have never found the same version in print anywhere else.

Willow

Three maidens a-milkin' did go
Three maidens a-milkin' did go
And the wind it did blow high
The wind it did blow low
It tossed their petticoats to and fro

They met with a young man they know
They met with a young man they know
And then Polly ask'ed him
If he had any skill
To catch them a small bird or two

Oh yes I've a very good skill
And its yes I've a very good skill
And its will you go with me
To yonder flowering tree
To catch a small bird or two

So off to the Green wood went they
And its off to the green wood went they
And she tugged at the bush
And the bird it did fly in
Just a little above her lily-white knee

Her sparklin' eyes they did turn round
Just as if she had been all in a swoon
And she cried, "I've a bird
And a very pretty bird
And he's packin' the weight of his own crown"

Here's a health to the bird in the bush
Here's a health to the bird all in the bush
AND TO DRINK UP THE SUN
WE'LL DRINK DOWN THE MOON
LET THE PEOPLE SAY LITTLE OR NONE