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Cakes and Ale

[Henry Purcell]

This catch by Henry Purcell was sung a cappella by Maddy Prior and June Tabor for their second Silly Sisters album, No More to the Dance. The track was also included in 1990 on the June Tabor anthology Aspects.

Lyrics

I gave her cakes and I gave her ale
And I gave her sack and sherry
I kissed her once and I kissed her twice
And we were wond'rous merry

I gave her beads and bracelets fine
And I gave her gold down derry
I thought she was afear'd till she stroak'd my beard
And we were wond'rous merry

Merry me hearts, merry me cocks, merry me sprites
Merry, merry, merry, merry, merry me hey down derry
I kissed her once and I kissed her twice
And we were wond'rous merry