Lyrics
As I walked out one morning fair
It being in the month of June
The dew was sparkling on the grass
And the small birds in full tune
And when returning from a walk
By the fields I chanced to stray
It was there I met my heart's delight
By the dawning of the day
Her head and beautiful neck were bare
And mantle none she wore
Her golden hair in ringlets fair
It hung her shoulders o'er
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
They stole my heart away
And I stood to stare at that Venus fair
At the dawning of the day
"Where are you going, my pretty fair maid?
Where are you going so soon?"
"I'm going a-milking my cow, kind sir
It being in the month of June
And the pasture that my cow feeds on
It lies so far away
And I've got to be there each morning fair
By the dawning of the day"
"Come sit ye down, my pretty fair maid
Supposing it was a mile
Come sit ye down on this primrose bank
And we will chat a while
With the lambkins sporting on every side
And the meadows blooming gay
I'll pledge to you my heart and hand
At the dawning of the day"
"Oh no, kind sir," the maid replied
"I cannot tarry now
My parents wait for my return
From the milking of my cow
But perhaps we'll meet some other time
If you chance to pass this way"
And she gently glided from my sight
At the dawning of the day