Classic Poem

The : maid, shee went to the well to washe,
Lillumwham, Lillumwham!
the mayd shee went to the well to washe,
whatt then? what then?
the maid shee went to the well to washe;
dew ffell of her lilly white fleshe;
Grandam boy, Grandam boy, heye!
Leg a derry, Leg a merry, mett, mer, whoope, whir!
driuance, larumben, Grandam boy, heye!

White shee washee, & white shee ronge,
Lillumwham &c:
white shee hangd o the hazle wand,
Grandam boy, heye &c.

There came an old Palmer by the way,
Lillumwham &c.
sais, " god speed thee well thou faire maid! "
Grandam boy, hey &c.

" Hast either Cupp or can —
Lillumwham &c. —
to giue an old palmer drinke therin? "
Grandam boy, heye &c.

sayes, " I haue neither cupp nor Cann —
Lillumwham &c. —
to giue an old Palmer drinke therin "
Grandam boy, heye &c.

" But an thy Lem m an came from Roome,
Lillumwham &c.
Cupps & canns thou wold ffind soone. "
Grandam boy, heye &c.

Shee sware by god & good St. Iohn,
Lillumwham &c.
Lemman had shee neuer none;
Grandam boy, heye &c.

Saies, " peace, ffaire mayd! you are fforsworne!
Lillumwham &c.
Nine Children you haue borne;
Grandam boy, heye &c. —

" They were buryed vnder thy beds head; —
Lillumwham &c: —
other three vnder thy brewing leade;
Grandam boy, hey &c.

Other three on won play greene,
Lillumwham &c.
Count, maids, & there be 9 "
Grandam boy, hey &c.

" But I hope you are the good old man —
Lillumwham &c. —
That all the world beleeues vpon;
Grandam boy, hey &c.

" Old Palmer, I pray thee, —
Lillumwham &c. —
Pennaunce tha t thou wilt giue to me. "
Grandam boy, hey &c.

" Penance I can giue thee none, —
Lillumwham &c. —
but 7 yeere to be a stepping stone;
Grandam boy, hey &c.

" Other seauen a clapper in a bell, —
Lillumwham &c. —
Other 7 to lead an ape in hell.
Grandam boy, hey &c.

" When thou hast thy penance done,
Lillumwham, Lillumwham,
when thou hast thy penance done,
whatt then? what then?
when thou hast thy penance done,
then thoust come a mayden home. "
Grandam boy, Grandam boy, hey!
Leg a derry, Leg a merry, met, mer, whoop, whirr!
driuance, Larumben, Grandam boy, heye!