Bluegrass Messengers

The Miller's Daughter- Fred Smith (Arkansas) 1958

[From Max Hunter Folk Song Collection; online w/recording.

R. Matteson 2014]

The Miller's Daughter- As sung by Mr. Fred Smith, Bentonville, Arkansas on June 23, 1958

Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=0166

VERSE 1: There was a miller lived by the sea shore
Bow down, bow down
There was a miller lived by the sea shore
Bow and bend to me-o
There was a miller lived by the sea shore
And he had daughters three 'er four
And I'll be true to my love
If my love'll be true to me

VERSE 2: The oldest girl she had a beau
Bow down, bow down
The oldest girl she had a beau
Bow and bend to me-o
The oldest girl she had a beau
And her beau bought her a new hat
Tis, I'll be true to my love
If my love'll be true to me

VERSE 3: The youngest girl she didn't like that
Bow down, bow down
The youngest girl she didn't like that
Bow and bend to me-o
The youngest girl she didn't like that
For her sister's beau bought her a new hat
I'll be true to my love
If my love'll be true to me

VERSE 4: Come sister, come sister, let's walk a sea shore
Bow down, bow down
Come sister, come sister, let's walk a sea shore
Bow and bend to me-o
Come sister, come sister, let's walk a sea shore
An' watch the boats go sailing o'er
Tis, I'll be true to my love
If my love'll be true to me

VERSE 5: While they were walking on the brim
Bow down, bow down
While they were walking on the brim
Bow and bend to me-o
While they were walking on the brim
Th older pushed the younger in
Tis, I'll be true to my love
If my love'll be true to me

VERSE 6: O miller, O miller, there swims a white swan
Bow down, bow down
O miller, O miller, there swims a white swan
Bow and bend to me-o
O miller, O miller, there swims a white swan
If it's not a swan it is a fair one
Tis I'll be true to my love
If my love'll be true to me

VERSE 7: The miller, he threw in his grab hook
Bow down, bow down
The miller, he threw in his grab hook
Bow and bend to me-o
The miller, he threw in his grab hook
And landed her safely out'a the brook
Tis, I'll be true to my love
If my love'll be true to me

VERSE 8: If you'll give me your diamond rings ten
Bow down, bow down
If you'll give me your diamond rings ten
Bow and bend to me-o
But she wouldn't give him her diamond rings ten
And so he shoved her in again
Tis, I'll be true to my love
If my love'll be true to me