Creeping Jane

I will sing you a song and a very pretty one
Concerning Creeping Jane, oh
How she never saw a mare or a gelding in her life
That she valued at the worth of half a pin
Lal dee day dee o, the diddle lie de day o
How she never saw a mare or a gelding in her life
That she valued at the worth of half a pin

When Creeping Jane on the racecourse came
The gentlemen viewed her round, oh
And all they had to say concerning little Jane
"She's not able for to gallop o'er the ground."
Lal dee day dee o, the diddle lie de day o
And all they had to say concerning little Jane
"She's not able for to gallop o'er the ground."

Now when they came to the second milepost
Creeping Jane was far behind, oh
The the rider flung his whip around her bonny little neck
And he said, "My little lassie, never mind."
Lal dee day dee o, the diddle lie de day o
The the rider flung his whip around her bonny little neck
And he said, "My little lassie, never mind."

Now when they came to the third milepost
Creeping Jane looked blithe and smart, oh
And then she lifted up her little lily white hoof
And she flew past them all like a dart
Lal dee day dee o, the diddle lie de day o
And then she lifted up her little lily white hoof
And she flew past them all like a dart

Now Creeping Jane this race has won
And scarcely sweats one drop, oh
Why, she's able for to gallop the ground o'er again
While the others are not able for to trot
Lal dee day dee o, the diddle lie de day o
And then she lifted up her little lily white hoof
And she flew past them all like a dart

Now Creeping Jane is dead and gone
And her body lies in the cold ground, oh
I'll go down to her master one favor for to beg
That's to keep her bonny body from the hounds
Lal dee day dee o, the diddle lie de day o
I'll go down to her master one favor for to beg
That's to keep her bonny body from the hounds

DT #532
Laws Q23
recorded by John Roberts and Tony Barrand
printed in Karen Myers, Harmonious Companions
SOF