This lovely little song was one of several sent to Baring-Gould by Lady Lethbridge. He says, in his note to the song, that he believes that the first verse is missing and he was not able to identify its source. I have been no more successful, so far. The tune that Jeff Gillett plays at the end is ‘Richard’s Hornpipe’ is one of several collected by Baring-Gould from the fiddler William Andrew of Sheepstor.

 

 

As she was feeding her flock on the mountain

She led them away to the side of a fountain

When who should come by but her own darling swain

Oh! yes he was coming with her heart back again

 

Now what made my love for to fly in such a passion

And what made her flout without any occasion?

Oh! if it was my fault, love, it was not my design

If I stole away your heart, love, in its place I left mine.