Pretty Maid Milking A Cow
(aka It Was On A Fine Summer's Morning)
Composer(s): Caelin Deas; Thomas Moore



It was on a fine summer's morning
When the birds sweetly tuned on each bough
I heard a fair maid sing most charming
As she sat a-milking her cow
Her voice, it was chanting melodious
She left me scarce able to go
My heart it is soothed in solace
My Cailín deas crúite na mbó

With courtesy I did salute her
"Good-morrow, most amiable maid
I'm your captive slave for the future"
"Kind sir, do not banter," she said
"I'm not such a precious rare jewel
That I should enamour you so
I am but a plain country girl"
Says Cailín deas crúite na mbó

"The Indies afford no such jewel
So precious and transparently fair
Oh! do not to my flame add fuel
But consent for to 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 Cailín deas crúite na mbó"

"Or had I the wealth of great Damer
Or all on the African shore
Or had I great Devonshire treasure
Or had I ten thousand times more
Or had I the lamp of Alladin
Or had I his genie also
I'd rather live poor on a mountain
With Cailín deas crúite na mbó"

"I beg you'll withdraw and don't tease me
I cannot consent unto thee
I like to live single and airy
Till more of the world I do see
New cares they would me embarrass
Besides, sir, my fortune is low
Until I get rich I'll not marry"
Says Cailín deas crúite na mbó

"An old maid is like an old almanack
Quite useless when once out of date
If her ware is not sold in the morning
At noon it must fall to low rate
The fragrance of May is soon over
The rose loses its beauty, you know
All bloom is consumed in October
Sweet Cailín deas crúite na mbó"

"A young maid is like a ship sailing
There's no knowing how long she may steer
For with every blast she's in danger
Oh! consent, love, and banish all care
For riches I care not a farthing
Your affection I want and no more
In comfort I'd wish to enjoy you
My Cailín deas crúite na mbó.."