Popular Music Of The Olden Time Vol 2

Share page



	668 ENGLISH SONG AND BALLAD MUSIC.

	Now harvest it is ended, and supper it is past, To our good mistress' health, boys, a full and flowing glass, For she is a good woman, and makes us all good cheer : Here's to our mistress' health, boys, so all drink off your beer. Then drink—boys—drink—and see you do not spill, For if you do, you shall drink two, it is our master's will." Sometimes the following verse is added, or the song commences with it:— " Here's a health unto the woodcutter, that lives at home at ease; He takes his work so light in hand, can leave it when he please; He takes the withe and winds it, and lays it on the ground, And round the faggot he binds it,—so let his health go round. Then drink—boys—drink—and pass it round to me, The longer we sit here and drink, the merrier we shall be." The tune of The jolly Miller was one of those harmonized by Beethoven for George Thomson, in 1824. Thomson included it in his collection of Scotch songs, not because it was Scotch, but on account of " its merited popularity, and the great additional interest which Beethoven has conferred upon it by his truly original and characteristic accompaniments." The following are the words now usually sung:—



	I love my mill, she is to me like parent, child, and wife; I would not change my station for any other in life: Then push, push, push the bowl, my boys, and pass it round to me; The longer we sit here and drink, the merrier we shall be.