THE MERRY
BAG-PIPES:
The Pleasant Pastime betwixt a Jolly Shepherd and a Country Damsel,
on a Mid-Summers-Day in the Morning.
To the Tune of, March Boys, etc.
Licensed according to Order.
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A Shepherd sat him under a Thorn,
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he pull'd out his Pipe and began for to play,
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It was on a Mid-Summers-day in the morn,
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for honour of that Holy-day:
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A Ditty he did Chant along,
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goes to the Tune of Cater-Bordee,
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And this was the burthen of his Song,
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if thou wilt Pipe Lad, I'll Dance to thee,
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To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee, etc.
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And whilst this Harmony he did make,
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a Country Damsel from the Town,
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A Basket on her Arm she had,
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a gathering Rushes on the Down:
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Her Bongrace was of wended Straw,
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from the Sun's hot Beams her Face is free
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And thus she began when she him saw
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if thou wilt Pipe Lad, I'll Dance to thee, etc.
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Then he pull'd out his Pipe and began to sound,
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whilst tempting on her Back she lay,
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But when his quivering note she found,
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how sweetly then this Lass could play:
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She stop'd all jumps and she reveal'd,
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she kept all time with harmony,
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And looking on him, sighing said,
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if thou wilt Pipe Lad, I'll dance to thee,
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To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee, etc.
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She never so much as blusht at all,
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the Musick was so charming sweet,
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But e'er and anon to him she'd call,
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and bid him be active, turn and meet:
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As thou art a bonny Shepherd's Swain,
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I am a Lass am come to wooe thee.
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To play me another double strain,
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and doubt not but I will Dance to thee,
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To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee, etc.
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Altho' I am but a silly Maid,
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who ne'r was brought up at Dancing-School,
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But yet to the Jig that thou hast plaid,
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you find that I can keep time and rule:
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Now see that you keep your stops aright,
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for Shepherd I am resolv'd to view thee,
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And play me the Damsel's chief Delight,
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then never doubt but I'll Dance to thee,
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To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee, etc.
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The Shepherd again did tune his Pipe,
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and plaid her a Lesson loud and shrill,
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The Damsel his face did often wipe,
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with many a thank for his good will:
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And said I was ne'r so pleas'd before,
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and this is the first time that I knew thee,
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Come play me this very Jigg once more,
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and never doubt but I'll Dance to thee,
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To thee, to thee, derry, derry, uo thee, etc.
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The Shepherd he said, as I am a Man,
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I have kept playing from Morning till Neon,
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Thou know'st I can do no more then I can,
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my Pipe is clearly out of Tune:
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To ruine a Shepherd I'll not seek,
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said she, for why should I undo thee,
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I can come again to the Down next week,
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and thou shalt Pipe and I'll dance to thee,
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To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee.
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