We Shepherds are the Best of Men

We Shepherds are the Best of Men

Roud 284

as sung by Fred Jordan

As sung by Fred Jordan, Aston Munslow, Shropshire:

1. We shepherds are the best of men
   That e’er trod English ground
   And when we reach an alehouse
   We value not a pound
   
   We drinks our liquor freely
   And pays before we go
   For there’s no ale on the wold
   Where the stormy winds do blow
   
   
2. A man that is a shepherd
   Must have a valiant heart
   He must not be faint-hearted
   But boldly play his part
   
   He must not be faint-hearted
   Be it hail or rain or snow
   With no ale on the wold
   Where the stormy winds do blow.
   
   
3. When I kept sheep on Blockley Hill
   It made my heart to weep
   To see the ewes hang out their tongues
   And hear the lambs to bleat
   
   So I plucked up my courage
   And o’er the hills did go
   To pen my sheep in the fold
   While the stormy winds did blow.
   
   
4. When I had safely penned my sheep
   I turned my back in haste
   And yo a jovial company,
   Good liquor for to take
   
   For drink and jovial company
   Oh they are my hearts delight
   Whilst my sheep safely sleep
   All the fore-part of the night.
   

Available on A Shropshire Lad - Veteran VTD148CD.

as printed by Lucy Broadwood

The song was printed in Lucy Broadwood and J A Fuller Maitland, English County Songs, Leadenhall Press, London, 1893

Lucy Broadwood's notes say:

"The first verse was taken from the recitation of a lady born at Stoke, Gloucestershire in 1793; the remaining verses were recovered from Thomas Coldicote, shepherd. of Ebrington, Gloucestershire. Blockley, referred to in verse 3, is in the parish adjoining Ebrington. Possibly it was usual for the singer to fill in a local name in the place."

Words and music at http://www.folkinfo.org/songs/displaysong.php?songid=251