Singing the Travels

Well met, my brother dear, all along the highway riding

So solemn I was walking along

So pray come tell to me what calling yours may be

And I'll have you for a servant man.

Some serving men do eat the very best of meat

Such as cock, goose, capon and swan

But when lords and ladies dine, they drink strong beer, ale and wine

That's some diet for a servant man.

Don't you talk about your capons, let's have some rusty bacon

And aye, a good piece of prickled pork

That's always in my house, a crust of bread and cheese

That's some diet for a husband man.

When next to church they go with their livery fine and gay

And their cocked hats and gold lace all around

With their shirts as white as milk, and stitched as fine as silk

That's some habit for a servant man.

Don't you talk about your livery nor all your silken garments

That's not fit for to travel the bushes in

Give me a leather coat, aye, and in my purse a groat

That's some habit for a husband man.

So me must needs confess that your calling is the best

And will give you the uppermost hand

So now we won't delay but pray both night and day

God bless the honest husband man.