You fair maids of London who lead a single life
It's better far being a barrow girl than a rich merchant's wife
For so early in the morning you will hear her to cry
Artichokes and cauliflowers pretty maidens will you buy
There sits a girl at Saint Billingsgate I'll not tell to you her name
She's proper tall and handsome and worthy of her fame
As she waits for her jolly waterman to come rowing by still she cries
Artichokes and cauliflowers pretty maidens will you buy
Her husband he's a quiet man and a quiet man is he
All for to wear the horns me boys contented he must be
As she goes and takes her pleasure when the waterman he comes nigh
Artichokes and cauliflowers pretty maidens will you buy
Oh the waterman that's a trade me boys that's a trade that seldom fails
Come hail rain or sunshine our boats are in full sail
And the barrow girl so merrily to her waterman she will fly
Artichokes and cauliflowers pretty maidens will you buy
Here's to your love and to my love and all true hearted souls
Likewise unto the jolly waterman with his full flowing bowl
Here's a health to the jolly waterman who in Billingsgate still she cries
Artichokes and cauliflowers pretty maidens will you buy