Peter The Miller

Peter The Miller
(Traditional)



When Peter the Miller went unto the fair
Young Paul, very downcast, met with him there
"What's wrong?" Peter cried. "I'm in love" said Paul
"And terribly troubled I am with it all
Though the maid, she is willing and ready to wed
Yet her father's as crusty as home-made bread
And he swears that wedded we never shall be
Oh what would you do, if you were me?
What would you do, what would you do
What would you do, if you were me?"

Well said Peter the Miller, "When I were young
Such crusty old fathers could go and get hung
I'd choose a dark night, if she didn't say nay
Slip an arm round her waist and I'd up and away
I'll help 'ee, me lad, and tonight if you'd care
Why, I'll lend 'ee me trap and me old grey mare
Make off with thee lass, lad, that's what I'd do
That's what I'd do, if I were you
That's what I'd do, that's what I'd do
That's what I'd do, if I were you"

Well, when Peter the Miller got home that night
No log in the fire, in the window no light
But where could his daughter be, plague take the maid
What's this, here's a note on the table laid
"Dear Father, we thought your advice was so good
We carried it out just as soon as we could
If you ask our advice as to what you should do
Oh, we'd just make the best of it, if we were you
That's what we'd do, that's what we'd do
That's what we'd do, if we were you"