Lemady (Arr. Britten)

One midsummer’s morn as I were a-walking

The fields and the meadows were coverèd with green,

The birds a-sweetly singing so pleasant and so charming,

So clearly in the morning by the break of the day.

Arise, arise, go pluck your love a posy

Of the prettiest flower that grows in yonder green,

O yes I’ll arise and pluck lilies, pink and roses

All for my dearest Lemady, the girl I adore.

O Lemady, O Lemady what a lovely lass thou art,

Thou art the fairest creature that ever my eye did see!

I’ll play you a tune all on the pipes of ivory

So early in the morning by the break of the day.