O can ye sew cushions? (Volkslieder (Folksongs), set by B. Britten) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


 O can ye sew cushions and can ye sew sheets,
 And can ye sing ballulow when the bairn greets?
 And hie and baw, birdie, and hie and baw, lamb,
 And hee and baw, birdie, my bonnie wee lamb.

 Hie-o, wie-o, what will I do wi' ye?
 Black's the life that I lead wi' ye,
 Many o' you, little for to gi' ye,
 Hie-o, wie-o, what will I do wi' ye?

 I've placed my cradle on yon hilly top,
 And aye as the wind blew my cradle did rock.
 O hush-a-by, babie, O baw lily loo,
 And hee and baw, birdie, my bonnie wee doo.

Input by Ted Perry

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)

(Edward) Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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