three maidens a-milking did go
and the wind it did blow high and the wind it did blow low
it tossed their petticoats to and fro
they met with some young man they know
and they boldly asked him if he had any skill
to catch them a small bird or two
oh yes i've a very good skill
and it's come along with me to yonder flowering tree
and i'll catch a small bird or two
so off to the greenwood went they
and it's off to the greenwood went they
and he tapped at the bush and the bird it did fly in
a little above her lilywhite knee
her sparkling eyes they did turn around
just as if she had been all in a swoon
and she cried "i've a bird and a very pretty bird
and he's pecking away at his own ground"
here's health to the bird in the bush
and we'll drink up the sun, we'll drink down the moon
let the people say little or much