THE ROLLING OF THE STONES
(Trad. first mentioned in print 1803)


Will you go to the rolling of the stones
Or the dancing of the ball?
Or will you go and see pretty Susie
And dance among them all

I will not go to the rolling of the stones
Or the tossing of the ball
But I will go and see pretty Susie
And dance among them all

They hadn't danced but a single dance
More than once or twice around
Before the sword at her true love's side
Gave him his fatal wound

They picked him up and carried him away
For he was sore distressed
They carried him and buried him all
in the greenwoods
Where he was wont to rest

Pretty Susie she came awandering by
With a tablet under her arm
Until she came to her true love's grave
And she began to charm

She charmed the fish out of the sea
And the birds out of their nests
She charmed her true love out of his grave
So he could no longer rest

Will you go to the rolling of the stones
Or the dancing of the ball?
Or will you go and see pretty Susie
And dance among them all

I will not go to the rolling of the stones
Or the tossing of the ball
But I will go and see pretty Susie
And dance among them all



(Contributed by Andy & Mogg - March 2003)