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> Tony Rose > Songs > Searching for Lambs
> June Tabor > Songs > Searching for Lambs
> Peter Bellamy > Songs > Searching for Lambs
> Steeleye Span > Songs > Searching for Lambs

Searching for Lambs

[ Roud 576 ; Ballad Index LO09A ; trad.]

Shirley Collins' sang Searching for Lambs as part of her and her sister Dolly's Song Story which was one half of both their albums Anthems in Eden and Amaranth. Tony Rose recorded this song for his 1971 album Under the Greenwood Tree (which featured Dolly Collins too but not on this track, even though his concertina playing sounds very organ-like). Tony Rose commented in the sleeve notes:

Searching for Lambs is for me as near as one can get to the perfect folk song. When I say that it has a timeless quality about it, I mean that I cannot imagine a time when it would not give me pleasure to sing it.

June Tabor sang Searching for Lambs in March 1972 live at the Stagfolk Folk Club at Shackleford Social Centre, near Godalming. This performance was included in the Stagfolk Live Folk album. She recorded it again in 1988 for her album Aqaba.

Peter Bellamy sang this “well-known ‘rustick idyll’ from the collection of Cecil Sharp” [liner notes] in 1975 on his eponymous US album, Peter Bellamy.

Steeleye Span recorded Searching for Lambs in 1989 for their album Tempted and Tried and Kerfuffle in 2006 for their third album, Links.

This video shows Maggie Boyle singing Searching for Lambs at the Albert Hole Folk Club in Bedminster, Bristol, on May 3, 1995:

Martha Tilston learned Searching for Lambs from her step-mum Maggie Boyle and sang it in 2010 on her CD Lucy and the Wolves.

Jon Boden sang Searching for Lambs as the May 11, 2011 entry of his project A Folk Song a Day.

George Spicer sang the different but related Searching for Young Lambs (Roud 1437) between 1972 and 1974 in his home in Selsfield, West Hoathly, Sussex, recorded by Mike Yates. This was released in 1974 on his Topic LP Blackberry Fold: Traditional Songs and Ballad.

Lyrics

Shirley Collins sings Searching for Lambs	June Tabor sings Searching for Lambs
As I rode out one May morning, One May morning betimes, I met a maid, from home had strayed, All as the sun did shine.	As I walked out one May morning, One May morning betime, I met a maid, from home had strayed, Just as the sun she did shine.
“What makes you rise so soon, my love, Your journey to pursue? Your pretty little feet they tread so neat, Strike off the morning dew.”	“What makes you rise so soon, my dear, Your journey to pursue? Your pretty little feet they tread so neat, Strike off the morning dew.”
“I'm off to feed my father's flocks, His young and tender lambs, That over hills and over dales Lie waiting for their dams.”	“I'm going to feed my father's flock, His young and tender lambs, That over hills and over dales Lie waiting for their dams.”
“But stay, o stay, you handsome maid, And rest a moment here. For there is none but you alone That I do love so dear.”	“O stay, o stay, you handsome maid, And rest a moment here. For there is none that you alone That I do love so dear.”
“How gloriously the sun doth shine, How lovely is the air. I'd rather rest on my true love's breast Than any other where.”	“How gloriously the sun doth shine, How pleasant is the air. I'd rather rest on a true love's breast Than any other where.”
“Now thou art mine and I am thine, And no man shall uncomfort me. We'll join our hands in wedlock bands And married we shall be.”	“For I am thine and thou art mine, No man shall uncomfort me. We'll join our hands in wedded bands And married we shall be.”

Tony Rose sings Searching for Lambs	Peter Bellamy sings Searching for Lambs
As I went out one May morning, One May morning betime, I met a maid, from home had strayed Just as the sun did shine.	As I walked out one May morning, One May morning betime, I met a maid, from home had strayed Just as the sun did shine.
“What makes you rise so soon, my dear, Your journey to pursue? Your pretty little feet they tread so sweet, Strike off the morning dew.”	“What makes you rise so soon, my dear, Your journey to pursue? Your pretty little feet they tread so neat, Strike off the morning dew.”
“I'm going off to feed my father's flock, His young and tender lambs, That over hills and over dales Lie waiting for their dams.”	“I'm going in search of my father's flocks, His young and tender lambs, That over hills and over dales Lie bleating for their dams.”
“O stay, o stay, you handsome maid, And rest you here a while. For there is none save you alone That I do love so dear.”	“O stay, o stay, you handsome maid, Rest but one moment here. For there is none save you alone That I do love most dear.”
“And how gloriously the sun do shine, How pleasant is the air. I'd rather rest on a true love's breast Than any other where.”	“How gloriously the sun do shine, How pleasant is the air. I would rather rest on my true love's breast Than any other where.”
“For I am thine and thou art mine, No man shall uncomfort thee. We'll join our hands in wedded bands And married we will be.”	“For I am thine and thou art mine, No man shall uncomfort thee. We'll join our hands in wedded bands And married we will be.”

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Patrick Montague for correcting the lyrics.