Ballad Variations (The Lover’s Tasks)

trad. child ballad, adapted 

As I roved out all by the seaside,

    Aye every rose grows merry in time

I met a maid an’ gav her my hand

    It’s lass will ye be a true luver o’ mine?

If you’re to be a luver o’ mine

Ye maun sew me a shirt wi’out needle or thread

Then you maun find a farm o’ the best land

Between the salt water an’ the sea strand

Then you must wash it in a spring well

Where water ne’er ran, nor rain never fell

Ye maun plow the land wi’ a ram’s horn

An’ sow it all o’er with one grain o’ corn.

When he has done wi’ all his work

Tell him tae come for his fine pretty shirt.

Oh are ye go’in tae Scarborough Fair

    Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Remember me who once was there

    Aye, then ye’ll be a true luver o’ mine