Date:
Early 17th century (published 1611)
Description:
The Maid She Went a-Milking by Thomas Ravenscroft is a lively, light-hearted English folk song with a humorous and playful character. It tells the story of a young maid who goes milking, with the repeated refrain emphasizing the innocence and simplicity of the task. This work is an example of the lighter, more humorous side of Ravenscroft’s repertoire.
Discussion:
Published in Ravenscroft’s Pammelia (1611), The Maid She Went a-Milking features a catchy, repetitive melody and a structure designed to be easily remembered and sung. The text plays with folk themes of rural life, and the music mirrors this with a simple yet effective melody, often sung in unison or in harmony.
This song is frequently performed in its original setting for unison voices or in modern arrangements for small ensemble or mixed voices. It is part of the genre of English part-songs and was likely meant for both domestic and public performances.
Composer:
Thomas Ravenscroft
Arranged by:
Various arrangements exist for unison voices, SATB, or voice with simple accompaniment
Sheet Music:
Available in collections of English folk songs and in anthologies of Ravenscroft’s works
The arrangement we use is available here as a pdf or musescore file
Parts:
Originally for unison voices or two-part harmony
Type:
Folk song / part-song
Language:
English
Ranges:
- Soprano: C4–G5
- Alto: A3–E5
- Tenor: G3–C5
- Bass: E3–G4
Advice for beginners:
The Maid She Went a-Milking is a great piece for beginners due to its simple and repetitive melody. Singers should focus on clear diction and light articulation. The piece works well for young or beginner choirs, particularly in two parts, and it is a good exercise in rhythm and phrasing.
Sound Files:
Here are some sound files for reference. mid