Roving in the dew (Volkslieder (Folksongs), set by G. Butterworth) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


"Where are you going to, my pretty fair maid,
Red rosy cheeks and coal-black hair?"
"I'm going a milking, kind sir," she answered me,
"For roving in the dew makes the milk-maids fair."

"What is your father then, my pretty fair maid,
Red rosy cheeks and coal-black hair?"
"My father's a farmer, kind sir," she answered me,
"For roving in the dew makes the milk-maids fair."

"What is your mother then, my pretty fair maid,
Red rosy cheeks and coal-black hair?"
"The wife of my father, kind sir," she answered me,
"For roving in the dew makes the milk-maids fair."

"May I come along with you, my pretty fair maid,
Red rosy cheeks and coal-black hair?"
"Just as it please you, kind sir," she answered me,
"For roving in the dew makes the milk-maids fair."

"Suppose I ran away from you, my pretty fair maid,
Red rosy cheeks and coal-black hair?"
"The devil may run after you, I will stand and laugh at you,
For roving in the dew makes the milk-maids fair."

Authorship

Volkslieder (Folksongs)

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

George Sainton Kaye Butterworth (1885-1916)

Folk Songs from Sussex

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

Gentle Reminder

This project is not funded. If you found the information here useful, please consider making a donation. Your gift is greatly appreciated!
- Emily

I also have a wishlist at Amazon.ca.