If all those young men were as rushes...
Language: English
If all those young men were as rushes a-growing, Then all those pretty maidens will get scythes go mowing; With rifoldedee, Cal all the day, Rifolidee. If all those young men were as hares on the mountains, Then all those pretty maidens will get guns go hunting; With rifoldedee, Cal all the day, Rifolidee. If all those young men were as ducks in the water, Then all those pretty maidens would soon follow after: With rifoldedee, Cal all the day, Rifolidee.
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with Journal of the Folk-Song Society, Volume 2, 1905-1906, London: Barnicott and Pearce, 1906, second version, pages 40-41.
Text Authorship:
- from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , "Hares on the mountains" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Imogen Clare Holst (1907 - 1984), "Hares on the mountains: If all those young men", 1934, published 1934, first performed 1936 [ SSA chorus a cappella ], from Four Somerset Folk Songs, no. 1, Novello [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2022-06-15
Line count: 9
Word count: 81