Harvest Song

Fair girls their way are taking
To join the harvest throng.
Who's fain of merrymaking,
Should go with them along.
There's many a maid disporting
Herself the troop among;
Now would ye go a-courting,
You'll get your wish ere long.
Were there for me a maiden fair,
I'd catch her in the barn-shed there;
So were I quit of all my care.

Good fortune Fate decrees them,
Whose sweethearts join the train.
The thing that best would please them,
They soon are like to gain.
Brave youths, arise and speed you,
Whose hearts for love are fain!
The harvest comes to aid you;
Now hide ye, twain and twain!
Then tell them tales, good youths; thereto
Small learning will suffice for you.
'Tis like you'll find occasion due!

If you can slip up near them,
Though at the first they scold,
Laughing ere long you'll hear them!
Then stories shall be told,
When, on the straw reclining,
The girls are gay and bold.
'Twill put an end to pining,
Once their consent you hold.
Such tales to tell good pastime is,
On that side of the brook and this.
To harvest, come! 'Twill bring you bliss!