Peeking into the rock

Words from here, though I do know them by heart. This has a lovely tune, though I like Ewan MacColl's rendition which I can't find for listening to online better than Steeleye Span's. I mean, theirs is lovely and haunting, but his is simple and heartfelt.

Just think about it, though: how harsh a shepherd's life is, that a woman would prefer to take a grueling, 24/7 job in service rather than live with one.

Sheep-Crook and Black Dog (trad)

Here's my sheep-crook and my black dog, I give it to you.
Here's my bag and my budget, I bid it adieu.
Here's my sheep-crook and my black dog, I leave them behind.
Fine laurel, fine floral, you've proved all unkind.

All to my dear Dinah these words I did say,
“Tomorrow we'll be married love, tomorrow is the days.”
“'Tis too soon dear Willy my age is too young,
One day to our wedding is one day too soon.”

“I'll go into service if the day ain't too late,
Oh, to wait on a fine lady it is my intent,
And when into service a year or two bound,
It's then we'll get married and both settle down.”

A little time after a letter was wrote,
For to see if my dear Dinah had changed her mind.
But she wrote that she'd lived such a contrary life,
She said that she'd never be a young shepherd's wife.

Here's my sheep-crook and my black dog, I give it to you.
Here's my bag and my budget, I bid it adieu.
Here's my sheep-crook and my black dog, I leave them behind.
Fine laurel, fine floral, you've proved all unkind.