This song is taken straight from June Tabor’s rendition on Airs and graces, which she learned from the singing of Belle Stewart.
Well, I say it’s straight from June Tabor. I learned the tune and the words from her version, but my version’s a lot plainer; I can’t match her decoration for decoration. Also, I’ve gone back to Belle Stewart’s words in a couple of places where I thought they were better.
Lovely song, anyway. It does give a slightly romanticised picture of the life of the shepherdess, but there’s a definite class dynamic in there.
Fifty-Two Folk Songs 