HARES ON THE MOUNTAIN

(trad. English)


If all you young men were hares on the mountain,
How many young girls would take guns and go hunting?

If the young men could sing like blackbirds and thrushes,
How many young girls would go beating the bushes?

If all you young men were rushes a-growing,
How many young girls would take scythes and go mowing?

If all you young men were ducks in the water,
How many young girls would undress and dive after?

But the young men are given to frisking and fooling,
I'll leave them alone and attend to my schooling




recording: Shirley Collins with Davy Graham [YouTube]

notes: song background and discography [Mainly Norfolk]