Three maidens a-milking did go :|
And the wind it blow high and the wind it did blow low
It tossed their petticoats to and fro
|: They met with a young man they know :|
And they've asked it of him if he had any skill
To catch them a small bird or two
|: Oh yes I've a very good skill :|
And it's come away with me to the yonder flowering tree
And I'll catch you a small bird or two
So |: it's off to the greenwoods went they :|
And he's tapped at the bush and the bird it did fly in
Just a little above her white knee
And her sparkling eyes they did turn round
Just as if she was in a swound
And she cried “Oh, I've a bird and a very pretty bird
He's a-pecking away at his own ground”
|: Here's a health to the bird in the bush :|
And we'll drink up the sun, and we'll drink down the moon
Let the neighbours say little or much
