American Old Time Song Lyrics: 40 The Pretty Maid Milking Her Cow
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 40
The Pretty Maid Milking Her Cow.'
It being on a fine summer's morning,
As birds sweetly tuned on each bough,
I heard a fair maid sing most charming,
As she sat a-milking her cow.
Her voice was enchanting-melodious,
Which left me scarce able to go;
My heart It was soothed in solace
By the pretty maid milking her cow.
With courtesy I did salute her:
"Good-morrow, most amiable maid,
I am your captive slave for the future."
"Kind sir, do not banter," she said.
"I am not such a precious, rare Jewel
That I should enamor you so,
I am but a plain country girl;"
Said this pretty maid milking her cow.
"The Indies afford no such Jewel,
So precious and transparent clear;
Oh, do not refuse to be my Jewel,
But consent und love me, my dear;
Take pity and grant my desire.
And leave me no longer in woe;
Oh, love me. or else I'll expire,
Sweet Colleen dhas crutheen na moe."
"I don't understand what you mean, sir,
I never was a slave yet to love;
These emotions I cannot experience,
So, I pray, these affections remove.
To marry, I can assure you,
That state I will not undergo;
So, young man, I pray you will excuse me,"
Said this pretty maid milking her cow.
'Had I the wealth of Omar,
Or all on the African shore.
Or had I great Devonshire's treasure.
Or had I ten thousand times more;
Or had I the lamp of Alladln,
And had I his genius, alsoI'd rather live poor on a mountain
With Colleen dhas crutheen na moe."
"I beg you withdraw, do not tease me,
I cannot consent unto thee;
I prefer to live single and airy,
Till more of the world I see.
New cares they would me embarass-
Beside, sir, my fortune is low,
Until I get rich I'll not marry-
Said the Colleen dhas crutheen na moe.
"A young maid is like a ship sailing;
She don't know how long she may steer,
For in every blast she Is in danger;
So content, and love me, my dear.
For riches I care not a farthing,
Your affection I want and no more;
In wedlock I wish to bind you,
Sweet Colleen dbas crutheen na moe."