Classic Poem

As I walked forth one summer's morn, all in the month of June,
The flowers they were springing, and the birds were in full tune,
I overheard a lovely maid, and this was all her theme:
" Success attend the collier lads, for they are lads of fame."

I stepped up to her, and bending on my knee,
I asked her pardon for making with her so free.
" My pardon it is granted, young collier," she replies,
" Pray do you belong to the brave Union boys?"

" You may see I'm a collier as black as a sloe,
And all the night long I am working down below."
" Oh I do love a collier as I do love my life,
My father was a pitman all the days of his life.

" Come now, my young collier, and rest here awhile,
And when I have done milking, I'll give you a smile."
He kissed her sweet lips while milking her cow,
And the lambs were sporting all in the morning dew.

Come all you noble gentlemen, wherever you may be,
Do not pull down their wages, nor break their unity.
You see they hold like brothers, like sailors on the sea,
They do their best endeavours for the wives and family.

Then she clapped her arms around him like Venus round the vine.
" You are my jolly collier lad, you've won this heart of mine.
And if that you do win the day, as you have won my heart,
I'll crown you with honour, and for ever take your part."

The colliers are the best of boys, their work lies underground,
And when they to the alehouse go they value not a crown.
They spend their money freely and pay before they go;
They work underground while the stormy winds do blow.

So come all you pretty maidens wherever you may be,
A collier lad do not despise in any degree.
For if that you do use them well they'll do the same to thee,
There is none in this world like a pitboy for me.