In the merry month of May
When bees from flower to flower did hum
Soldiers through the town marched gay
And the villagers danced to the sound of the drum.
The cobbler he's got off his awl
With last and apron he has done
Left wax and thread for powder and ball
Gone with the rest to follow the drum.

The tailor he's got off his board
And swore he'd wallop his foes, good Lord
He's changed his bodkin for a sword
Gone with the rest to follow the drum
Robin he got off his plough
His team and furrow just begun
Of country life he'd had enow
He'd go with the rest to follow the drum.

Three old dames, and one was lame
And another deaf, and a third nigh dumb
They said it was a terrible shame
That they couldn't go and follow the drum
In the merry month of May
When bees from flower to flower did hum
Soldiers through the town marched gay
And the villagers danced to the sound of the drum.

© Golden Hind Music