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