The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #46931   Message #698943
Posted By: Nigel Parsons
26-Apr-02 - 04:37 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: May Song (D Webber) and other May songs
Subject: Lyr Add: JOAN TO THE MAYPOLE
May does seem a little underrepresented in the DT. so 1 addition.

JOAN TO THE MAYPOLE

Joan, to the Maypole away let us on,
The time is swift and will be gone;
There go the lasses away to the green,
Where their beauties may be seen;
Bess, Moll, Kate, Doll,
All the brave lasses have lads to attend 'em,
Hodge, Nick, Tom, Dick,
Jolly brave dancers, and who can amend 'em?

CHORUS:
Joan, to the Maypole away let us on,
The time is swift and will be gone;
There go the lasses away to the green,
Where their beauties may be seen.

Now, if we hold out as we do begin,
Joan and I the prize shall win;
Nay, if we live till another day,
I'll make thee Lady of the May.
Dance round, skip, bound,
Turn and bob, and then for a greeting;
Now, Joan, We've done,
Fare thee well till the next merry meeting.

CHORUS:
Joan, to the Maypole away let us on,
The time is swift and will be gone;
There go the lasses away to the green,
Where their beauties may be seen;


Notes: Taken from the "National Song Book" where it is listed (authorless) as 17th Century.
My copy of the National Song Book is coverless, so I can't give compilers details, but was in use in Cardiff schools in the late 1950s.

NP