Three maidens a-milking did go Three maidens a-milking did go And the wind it blow high and the wind it did blow low It tossed their petticoats to and fro They met with a young man they know They met with a young man they know And they've asked it of him if he had any skill To catch them a small bird or two Oh yes, I've a very good skill Oh yes, I've a very good skill And it's come away with me to the yonder flowering tree And I'll catch you a small bird or two So it's off to the greenwoods went they It's off to the greenwoods went they And he's tapped at the bush and the bird it did fly in Just a little above her white knee And her sparkling eyes they did turn round Just as if she was in a swound And she cried "Oh, I've a bird and a very pretty bird He's a-pecking away at his own ground" Here's a health to the bird in the bush Here's a health to the bird in the bush And we'll drink up the sun, and we'll drink down the moon Let the neighbours say little or much