Bushes and Briars

Traditional
(Isla Cameron)

Through bushes and through briars
I lately took my way,
All for to hear the small birds sing
And the lambs to skip and play.
All for to hear the small birds sing
And the lambs to skip and play.

I overheard my own true love,
His voice it sounds so clear,
"Long time I have been waiting for
The coming of my dear."
"Long time I have been waiting for
The coming of my dear."

Sometimes I am uneasy
And troubled in my mind.
Sometimes I think I'll go to my love
And tell to him my mind.
Sometimes I think I'll go to my love
And tell to him my mind.

But if I should go to my love,
My love he will say, "Nay."
If I show to him my boldness
He'll ne'er love me again.
If I show to him my boldness
He'll ne'er love me again.


Note: The song was overheard by Vaughan-Williams in 1905 whilst
in Essex. He persuaded the singer, a Mr. Potipher, to let him
take it down. It is supposedly the song which kindled VW's
interest in folk music and led to the modern folk revival.

On "Songs and Dances of Scotland 5" record, Murray Hill Records

http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=1001