The Shepherd's Song

We shepherds are the best of men that e'er trod England's ground
And when we reach an earl house, we value not a crown
We spend our money freely and we pay before we go
There's no ale on the wold where the stormy winds do blow
A man that is a shepherd must have a valiant heart
He must not be faint-hearted but boldly play his part
He must not be faint-hearted, be it rain or frost or snow
For there's no ale on the wold where the stormy winds do blow
When I kept sheep on Blockley Hill, it made my 'eart to weep
To see the owls hang on their tongues and hear the lambs to bleat
So I plucked up my courage and o'er the hills did go
To pen them in, in the fold while the stormy winds do blow
And when my sheep were safely penned, I turned my back in haste
And took some jovial company, good liquor for to taste
For drink and jovial company, oh they are my heart's delight
While my sheep lie asleep all the forepart of the night