The Ballads & Songs of Derbyshire / With Illustrative Notes, and Examples of the Original Music, etc.

The Florist's Song.

The Florists' Society of Derby flourished in the latter part of last century. Its meetings were held at the Angel Inn, in the Corn-market; and it held exhibitions, at which prizes were awarded. The following song was sung at the convivial meetings of its members, and is here reprinted from a broad-sheet in my own possession.

Attend ye jolly Gardeners
of every Degree,
From the Setter of a Flower,
to the Planter of a Tree:
And a Planting we will go, will go,
and a Planting we will go.

Our first Great Father Adam,
was a Gardener by Trade;
And likewise Eve our Mother,
did use the pruning Blade:
And a Planting, &c.

Since Gardening so Ancient,
it's Praises let Us sing;
For in his own Enclosure,
he's as happy as a King:
And a planting we will go, &c.

Observe th' lowly Shrub,
and lofty spreading Trees;
That form the pleasant Shade,
fann'd by th' pleasant Breeze:
And a Planting, &c.

The Florist claims the Precedence,
in this delightful Art;
In ranging of his Flowers,
and setting each a-part:
And a planting, &c.

Take Notice of their Beauties,
and all their various Hues;
Set by his skillful Hand,
and rais'd by gentle Dews:
And a Planting, &c.

It wou'd be much too tedious,
to tell each Flower's Name;
Or, which for Smell or Beauty,
th' Preference can claim:
And a Planting, &c.

Yet all allow the Auricula
has the greatest Share;
Since Feasts are held in Honour
of the Flower ev'ry Year:
And a Planting, &c.

It is of Ancient standing,
and well conducted too;
When each in Emulation,
their finest Flowers show:
And a Planting, &c.

There is a Prize allotted,
to him that gains the Day;
And 'tis the noblest Flower,
that bears the Prize away:
And a Planting, &c.

Likewise the Second best,
for so we all agree;
Has both his Ordinary
and Extraordinary free:
And a Planting, &c.

These Flowers rais'd from Seed,
which we preserve with Care;
For if the Seed be bad,
the Flowers they are not Fair:
And a Planting, &c.

We have Stewards at our Feasts,
to see that all be right;
In Joy we spend the Day,
and Pleasure crowns the Night:
And a Planting, &c.

Our Feasts are full of Mirth,
we have no windy Wars;
We never raise Disputes,
and are very free from Jars:
And a Planting, &c.

Our Judges are impartial,
both faithful Men and true;
They never take a Bribe,
but gives each Man his due:
And a Planting, &c.

Then to Conclude, since FLORISTS
enjoy so sweet a Life;
Here's a Health to the Society
all Foes to Care and Strife:
And a Planting we will go, will go,
and a Planting we will go.

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