The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #174646 Message #4235029
Posted By: Steve Gardham
27-Jan-26 - 05:33 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: The Gardener's Wife (?) (Bawdy)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Gardener's Wife (?) (Bawdy)
Not the one you're after but close, and at least the sexual euphemisms are present.
The Gardener (aka The Periwinkle) printed by Morren of Edinburgh c1800
As Miss Betsey one day in the garden was walking, She met with young Robin, who of love was talking; His words were so pretty, his ways were so pleasing, But still she cried, Robin, how can you keep teasing.
Says Robin to Betsey, I'm a gardener by trade; And many a fine garden in my time I have made; Besides, my dear girl, it won't cost you a farthing, Neither for planting nor weeding your garden.
My garden, said she, has too long been untill'd, It is now overgrown, and almost got wild; It wants digging and trenching, and manure likewise, To make the flowers spring and the onions to rise.
Then like another gardener, for to work on the ground, In order to till her garden all round; Says Betsey to Robin, You make my eyes twinkle, Och, what are you doing with my periwinkle!
Says Robin to Betsey, I am sowing of seed, But I must turn it up, it is so full of weeds; I'll do my work neatly, I'll take out every wrinkle, So Robin kept working at her periwinkle.
National Library of Scotland, LC 2805(8) 117780616