There was an old woman lived under a hill,
Trolly lolly, lolly, lolly, lo!
She had good beer and ale for to sell,
Lolly lo, lolly lo, lolly, lolly, lolly lo!
She had a daughter her name was Siss,
She kept her at home for to welcome her guests.
There came a trooper riding by,
He call'd for drink most plentifully.
When one pot was out he called for another,
He kissed the daughter before the mother!
And when night came on, to bed they went,
It was with the mother's own consent!
Quoth she: "What is this so stiff and warm?"
"Tis Ball, my nag, he will do you no harm!"
"But what is this hangs under his chin?"
"Tis the bag he puts his provender in!"
Quoth he" "What is this?" Quoth she: "Tis a well,
Where Ball, your nag, may drink his fill!"
"But what if my nag should chance to slip in?"
"Then catch hold of the grass that grows on the brim!"
"But what if the grass should chance to fail?" "Shove him in by the head! Pull him out by the tail!"