Woodside Morris Men's Songbook: Country Life, an excellent social song, made famous by the Watersons.

Songbook

When it comes to singing, it may fairly be said that Woodside, on occasions, demonstrate a greater level of enthusiasm than quality. But such is often the fate of Folk singing - the songs are sung by people 'of the people' and our abilities brilliantly reflect that great and noble custom. The truth is, when singing with a pint in your hand after an arduous evening's dancing and playing, it is enthusiasm, participation and camaraderie that tend to create the moment.

And speaking of participation, here is your chance to make the difference! Select from the songs below, and lo! Your pleasure shall be displayed in the song panel to the right! Put your finger in your ear, and let it rip...

Country Life

Drunken Sailor

Pleasant and Delightful

The Boar's Head Carol

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Country Life

Chorus

I like to rise when the sun she rises,

Early in the morning.

And I like to hear them small birds singing,

Merrily upon their layland.

And hurrah for the life of a country boy,

And to ramble in the new mowed hay.

Verse 1

In spring we sow at the harvest mow,

And that is how the seasons round they go.

But of all the times choose I may,

I’d be rambling through the new mowed hay.

Verse 2

In summer when the summer is hot,

We sing, and we dance, and we drink a lot.

We spend all night in sport and play,

And go rambling in the new mown hay.

Verse 3

In autumn when the oak trees turn,

We gather all the wood that’s fit to burn.

We cut and stash and stow away,

And go rambling in the new mown hay.

Verse 4

In winter when the sky’s grey,

We hedge and ditch our times away.

But in summer when the sun shines gay,

We go rambling through the new mown hay.

Verse 5

Oh Nancy is my darling gay,

And she blooms like the flowers every day.

But I love her best in the month of May,

When we’re rambling through the new mown hay.

Verse 6

I like to hear the Morris dancers,

Clash their sticks and drink our ale.

I like to hear those bells a-ringing,

As we ramble in the new mown hay.

Most famously sung by the Watersons, on their 1975 album "For Pence and Spicy Ale". We bring a great deal more words to our version of the song (though I am unsure where they came from), with six verses to the Watersons two. This allows us to cover all four season, the gentleman's strumpet, and a mention of the Morris.

According to the album's sleeve notes, written by The Legendary English Folk song collector A L Lloyd, the Watersons collected their version of the song from a sheep dog trainer called Mick Taylor, from Wensleyday. We are greatful to Mick for his part bringing such an excellent song to everyone's attention.

What we add in lyrics may be taken away in harmony, but it's a great little song to join in with; so please don't hesitate.