A Scottish chapbook dated 1800 is an early source for "Pretty maid milking her cow"


Scottish chapbook (eight pages) at the National Library of Scotland.
Printed by J. & M Robertson, Saltmark (Glasgow) 1800.

Maid Milking her COW.
To which are added,
A SONG by GENERAL WOLF.
etc.


It was on a fine Summer's morning,
As birds sung sweetly on each bough,
I heard a fair maid sweetly singing,
As she sat milking her cow.
She sung with a voice so melodious,
That made me scarce able to go;
My heart it was smother'd with sorrow,
By the pretty maid milking her cow.

I courteously thus did salute her,
Good morrow, fair amorous maid,
I'm your captive slave for the future
Kind sir, do not banter, she said.
I'm not such a precious jewel,
That you could remember me so;
I'm but a plain country girl,
Said the pretty maid milking her cow.

All India can't afford such a jewel,
So charming a transparent fair!
Pray do not add flames to my fuel,
But consent and love me my dear.
Take pity and grant my desire,
And leave me no longer in woe;
Come love, or else I'll expire,
You pretty maid milking your cow.

I don't understand what you mean, sir,
I've ne'er been a slave yet to love;
Such amours I seldom experienc'd,
Therefore your affections remove.
To marry, then, I can assure you,
Is a thing that I can't undergo;
Therefore, young man, pray excuse me,
Said the pretty maid milking her cow.

No young man could excuse you,
Or it would be against his own will;
To pen your perfection in beauty,
Some volumes I'm sure it would fill;
I would patiently wait for an answer
My destiny pray let me know;
Your consent, till death, be the ransom,
Your pretty maid milking your cow.

I pray sir, withdraw, and don't tease me,
I'll never consent unto thee;
I like to live single and easy,
Till more of this world I do see.
Lest care it should early embrace me,
Beside that my fortune is low;
Until I grow rich I'll not marry,
Said the pretty maid milking her cow.

To say you would wait for a fortune,
Is a civil way to deny;
And I have got money and cattle,
Dear love, all your wants to supply.
Delays are attended with dangers,
And youth it hath no second spring;
And likewise when beauty is faded,
It never will return again.

A fair maid is like a ship sailing,
She knows not how long safe she'll go,
For in every blast she's in danger,
You pretty maid milking your cow.

An old maid is like an old almanack,
Useless when once out of date;
If her ware is not sold in the morning,
At noon it goes at a low rate.
The fragrance of noon is soon over,
Garnish'd with beauty you know;
And blooms are consum'd in October,
You pretty maid milking your cow.


"The Pretty Maid Milking Her Cow"
Extra final verse added in early 19th century broadside versions, in the Bodleian Library, between 1797 and 1838.
(Roud 3139)

Your words consists of much reason,
My obstinancy I do resign;
That sort of fruit ripens early,
Does always soon taint and decline;
And if you'll consent for to marry,
And keep me from sorrow and woe;
Come now and no longer tarry,
Says the pretty maid milking her cow.


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