I was walking down the Strand one day - is it a London song 

February 2008 on [email protected]
A discussion on the song 

Briefly recalled by me and Joyce thought
  


I was walking down the Strand one day
In the merry merry month of May
I was taken by surprise by a pair of lovely eyes
While walkng in the Strand one day .............

Yes that sounds like it

Searching around Google and most confusing

I can find this version

While strolling through the park one day,
In the merry merry month of May,
I was taken by surprise,
By a pair of roguish eyes,
In a moment my poor heart was stole away.

And rumours about Stephen Foster

Perhaps original words got adapted etc etc

From Veronica I wonder if this one written in 1826 started it all ?

Poor Luddy
b. 1826
By T. DIBDIN. Universal Songster, Vol. iii.

As I was walking down the Strand,
      Luddy, Luddy,
  Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.
As I was walking down the Strand,
The traps they nabbed me out of hand
      Luddy, Luddy,
  Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.
          As I was walking, etc.

Said I, kind justice, pardon me,
      Luddy, Luddy,
  Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.
Said I, kind justice, pardon me,
Or Botany-Bay I soon shall see
      Luddy, Luddy,
  Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.
          Said I, kind justice, etc.

Sessions and 'sizes are drawing nigh,
      Luddy, Luddy,
    Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.
Sessions and 'sizes are drawing nigh,
I'd rather you was hung than I.
      Luddy, Luddy,
  Ah, poor Luddy, I. O.
          Sessions and 'sizes, etc.

 

 

The words are close but the tune that it seems to fit does not sound like the first song.

I think it is probably the Foster song we have confused

And of course there is The Strand and a strand

 

 

   

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age