A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow / Cailin Deas Crúite na mBó in the Irish language is a traditional 18th-century Irish ballad. The English version is attributed to Thomas Moore (1779–1852). Originally sung in Irish Gaelic, the song was popular through the early 20th century. It enjoyed a revival when an updated swing version sung by Irish-American singer/actress Judy Garland was featured in the 1940 film ‘Little Nellie Kelly’
The melody we use here is taken from an old manuscript published by Paxton & Co: Book 2 of Songs of Ireland edited by Granville Bantock in which the song is entitled The Pretty Maid Milking Her Cow. This version has a beautiful melody on the B-part of the tune, which appears to be absent from most contemporary versions of the melody. We need to cross reference this score with the original published Moore’s melody.
MELODY
MELODY and OOH HARMONIES
MELODY and LOW OOHS
LOW OOHs ONLY
MELODY and HIGH OOHS
HIGH OOHS only
Choir singing (27th November 2017)
WORDS
ThePrettyMaidMilkingHerCow_MCC
It was on a fine summer morning
The birds sweetly tuned on each bough
And as I walked out for my pleasure
I saw a maid milking her cow
Her voice so enchanting melodious
Left me quite unable to go
My heart it was loaded with sorrow
For Colleen dhas cruthea na moe
Then to her I made advances
“Good morrow most beautiful maid”
Your beauty my heart so entrances
“Pray Sir, do not banter,” she said
That I should enamour you so,
I am but a poor little milk-girl”
Says Colleen dhas crutheu na moe
“The Indies afford no such jewel
So bright and transparently clear
Ah! do not add flame to my fuel
Consent but to love me my dear”
Oh had I the lamp of Aladdin
Or the wealth of the African shore
I’d rather be poor in a cottage
With Colleen dhas crutheu na moe
Arranged by Brona McVittie