| One misty, misty morning when cloudy was the weather
|
| I met with an old man a-clothed all in leather
|
| He was clothed all in leather with a cap beneath his chin
|
| Singing how do you do and how do you do
|
| And how do you do again
|
| This rustic was a thresher as on his way he hied
|
| And with a leather bottle fast buckled by his side
|
| He wore no shirt upon his back but wool unto his skin
|
| Singing how do you do and how do you do
|
| And how do you do again
|
| I went a little further and there I met a maid
|
| «A-going a-milking, a-milking, sir», she said
|
| Then I began to compliment and she began to sing
|
| Saying how do you do and how do you do
|
| And how do you do again
|
| This maid, her name was Dolly, clothed in a gown of gray
|
| I being somewhat jolly persuaded her to stay
|
| And straight I fell a-courting her in hopes her love to win
|
| Singing how do you do and how do you do
|
| And how do you do again
|
| I having time and leisure, I spent a vacant hour
|
| A-telling of my treasure while sitting in the bower
|
| With many kind embraces, I stroke her double chin
|
| Singing how do you do and how do you do
|
| And how do you do again
|
| I said that I would married be and she would be my bride
|
| And long we should not tarry and twenty things beside
|
| I’ll plough and sow and reap and mow and you shall sit and spin
|
| Singing how do you do and how do you do
|
| And how do you do again
|
| Her parents then consented, all parties were agreed
|
| Her portion thirty shillings, we married were with speed
|
| Then Will, the piper he did play whilst others dance and sing
|
| Saying how do you do and how do you do
|
| And how do you do again
|
| Then lusty Ralph and Robin with many damsels gay
|
| Did ride on Roan and Dobbin to celebrate the day
|
| And when they met together their caps they off did fling
|
| Singing how do you do and how do you do
|
| And how do you do and how do you do again |