Wild Rippling Water and Nightingale tunes don't play. Presume all tunes are down.

The following song has the title, "Merry Month of May." It is possible to use the same tune, and it may be the source of the title referred to in a couple of the threads posted above.

MERRY MONTH OF MAY

'Twas in the merry month of May,
When bees from flower to flower did hum;
Soldiers, through the town, march'd gay,
And all resolved to follow the drum.

From windows, lasses looked a score,
And neighbors met at every door;
The soldier-lads charm'd ev'ry sight;
For, eyes beam'd with pleasure, hearts danc'd light;
'Twas in the merry month of May, etc.

Young Roger swore he'd leave his plough,
His team and tillage, and all, by gum!
Of a country life he'd had enough [enow],
He'd leave them all and follow the drum.

He'd leave his thrashing in the barn;
To thrash his foes right soon he'd larn;
With sword in hand, he wouldn't parley,
But thrash his foes instead of the barley.
'Twas in the merry month of May, etc.

The Cobbler he threw by his awl;
When all were glad, he'd ne'er be glum,
But quick attend to Glory's call,
And like a man, would follow the drum.

No more at home he'd be a slave,
But take his seat amid the brave;
In Battle's plains none should be prouder,
'Stead of bales of wax he'd have balls of powder.
'Twas in the merry month of May, etc.

The tailor, he got off his knees,
And to the ranks did boldly come;
He said no more he'd sit at his ease,
But like the lads, would follow the drum.

How he'd leather his foes, Good Lord!
When for a bodkin he'd a sword!
The foe would find he didn't wheedle, (or, the French would...)
When he had a spear instead of a needle.
'Twas in the merry month of May, etc.

Three old women; the first was lame,
The second was blind, the third was dumb--
To stay behind's a burning shame,
So, like the lads, we'll follow the drum.

Our wills are good, but, Lack-a-day!
To catch the lads we'll have a try for 't;
For, where there's a will, there's always a way;
So, we'll walk a mile or two, if we die for 't.
'Twas in the merry month of May, etc.

As sung by Tony Pastor.
Printed by H. De Marsan, New York, ca. 1860.
Harding B31(85) Bodleian Library, Ballads.
Another printing (Firth c14(349) has a few different words.