Shelling Green Peas - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
SHELLING GREEN PEAS Tune-"Sarah's Young Man." 
I sing you a ditty, of a damsel so pretty, Who liv'd from the city some seventeen miles; Her name is Maria, her worthy old sire Was clerk and town crier-his name was John Styles. With lips like the cherry, a smile, too, so merry, I thought her the very one suited to please, And when I first met her, and tried hard to get her, For worse or for better, she was shelling green peas. 
Chorus. Under the trees, a bowl on her knees, Maria sat silently shelling green peas. 
I'd long lov'd her dearly, truly, sincerely, At length I thought, really, I'd settle in life; Although aged fifty, I'd been very thrifty, And thought 'twas high time to be taking a wife. With bosom on fire, in search of Maria, Thro' lanes of wild-brier, o'er-shadowed by trees; I stroll'd to the spot where, outside her cot there, She was sitting so patiently shelling green peas. Under the trees, a bowl on her knees, &c. 
I step up unto her, commencing to woo her, I said, " That no truer fond heart could be found Than mine, if she'd take me some morning, and make me The happiest mortal for twenty miles round." I said, "Our life might be one round of delight, Like the little birds singing upon the green trees." To a whisper then dropping my voice, without stopping, The question was popping, as she popped the peas. Under the trees, a bowl on her knees, &c. 
No answer she made, and I was much afraid That this beautiful maid had not heard all I said. It her feet kneeling, I tried to be stealing A kiss-when came reeling her hand on my head; 'Do you think I'd engage." she cried out, in a rage, "With a man twice my age, so clear out if you please." n a terrible passion, at me she sent crashing, On my head smashing, the bowl of green peas. Under the trees, a bowl on her knees, &c. 
By way of addenda, she said, "Sir, remember. That May and December can never unite, If our leave, sir, be taking," my neck nearly breaking, I made my escape in a terrible fright. a never will marry, but single will tarry, Tho' friends and acquaintances do nothing but tease; Whenever they meet me, in this style they greet me, "Old boy, what's the price now of lamb and green peas?" Under the trees, a bowl on her knees, &c.