This is an earlier and a more complete version of the song that others have called JOAN, TO THE MAYPOLE, and posted above. I found 2 copies of this song, that vary only in insignificant details; one is in the Bodleian collection, Douce Ballads 2(152a); the other is in The Roxburghe Ballads: Illustrating the Last Years of the Stuarts Vol. 7, Part 1, edited by J. Woodfall Ebsworth (Hertford: Ballad Society, 1890), page 79:

[I have modernized the spelling and punctuation, except in the title.]


The May-Day Country Mirth;
Or,
The Young Lads and Lasses' Innocent Recreation,
Which is to be priz'd before Courtly Pomp and Pastime.
To an Excellent New Tune. Licensed according to Order.

1. Joan, to the maypole away let's run.
The time is swift and will be gone.
There go the lasses away to the green,
Where their beauties may be seen:
    Nan, Doll, Kate and Moll,
Brave lasses have lads to attend 'em;
    Hodge, Nick, Tom, Dick,
Brave dancers, who can amend 'em?

2. Did you not see the Lord of the May,
Walk along in his rich array?
There goes the lass that is only his.
See how they meet and how they kiss!
    Come, Will; run, Gill,
Or dost thou list to lose thy labour?
    Kit Croud, scrape aloud.
Tickle her, Tom, with a pipe and tabor!

3. Lately I went to a mask at court,
Where I see dances of every sort.
There they did dance with time and measure,
But none like country dance for pleasure.
    There did they dance just as in France,
Not like the English lofty manner;
    And every she, must furnished be
With a feathered knack when she sweats for to fan her.

4. But we, when we dance, and do happen to sweat,
Have a napkin in hand for to wipe off the wet,
And we with our doxies do jig it about,
Not like the court which often are out;
    If the tabor do play, we thump it away,
And turn and meet our lasses to kiss 'em.
    Nay, they will be as ready as we,
That hardly at any time can miss 'em.

5. Yonder comes Dolly over the down,
And Roger he gives her a fair green gown.
See how he hands her up again,
And how they trip along amain.
    They pass, o'er the grass,
And at every stile they are billing.
    He gives; she receives,
Being youthful, ready and willing.

6. There is not any that shall out-vie
My little pretty Joan and I,
For I'm sure I can dance as well
As Robin, Jenny, Tom, or Nell.
    Last year, we were here,
When ruff Ralph he played us a bourée,
    And we, merrily
Thumped it about and gained the glory.

7. Come, sweet Joan; let us call a new dance,
That we before them may advance.
Let it be what you desire and crave,
And sure the same sweet Joan shall have.
    She cried and replied:
If to please me thou wilt endeavour,
    Sweet pig, the wedding jig,
Then, my dear, I'll love thee for ever.

8. Sure I will grant thee thy request,
And learn thee that among the rest,
For ere it be long, we'll married be,
And then my pretty Joan shall see,
    Fine toys, sweet joys,
And soft kisses too, out of measure;
    Sweet charms, in my arms,
This will be a fountain of pleasure.

9. And if we hold on as we begin,
Joan, thee and I the garland shall win;
Nay, if thou live till another day,
I'll make thee Lady of the May.
    Dance about, in and out,
Turn and kiss, and then for greeting;
    Now, Joan, we have done.
Fare thee well till the next merry meeting.