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158 THINGS IMPOSSIBLE
For English texts somewhat similar to the Michigan version see John Ashton, A Century of Ballads (London, 1887), pp. 315-318; Logan, pp. 360-362; and The Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 295-296. For American texts only slightly similar to the Michigan form see Kittredge, JAFL, XXX, 352-353, and Loraine Wyman and Howard Brockway, Twenty Kentucky Mountain Songs (New York, 1920), pp. 106-109. The present version is from the Gernscy manuscript.
1 Down by one green and shady grove, 'Twas all alone as I supposed, Down by one green and shady grove, 'Twas all alone as I supposed, There did I spy most comely maid Which caused me long time to tarry; And there with me she did entreat For to tell her when I meant to marry.
2 All in my mind was I resolved, All in my mind for to reveal it; All in my mind was I resolved, All in my mind for to reveal it,
To speak the truth and make no jest, But of these things you will be weary; And then in brief I did begin For to tell her when I meant to marry.
3 "When carrots grow in meadows green And rivers flow with milk and honey, When sugar grows on cherry trees, And men refuse to take hard money, When turtle shells turn diamond rings With pearl and brass they are compared, When gold does grow on eagle's wings, Fair maid, with you will I be married.
4 "When the baker he does need no fire, And the brewer he does need no water, When the baker he does need no fire, And the brewer he does need no water, |
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