Maddy Prior, June Tabor - Singing the Travels lyrics

Well met, my brothers dear
All along the highway riding
So solemn I was walking along
So pray come tell to me
What calling yours may be
And I'll have you for a servantman

Some servingmen do eat the very best of meat
Such as cock, goose, capon and swan
But when lords and ladies dine
They drink strong beer, ale and wine
That's some diet for a servantman

Don't you talk about your capons
Let's have some rusty bacon
And aye, a good piece of pickled pork
That's always in my house
A crust of bread and cheese
That's some diet for a husbandman

When next to church they go with
Their livery fine and gay
And their cocked hats and
Gold lace all around
With their shirts as white as milk
And stitched as fine as silk:
That's some habit for a servantman

Don't you talk about your livery
Nor all your silken garments
That's not fit for to travel the bushes in
Give me my leather coat, aye
And in my purse a groat:
That's some habit for a husbandman

So me must needs confess that
Your calling is the best
And will give you the uppermost hand
So now we won't delay but
Pray both night and day
God bless the honest husbandman