The lambs on the green hills, they sport and they play
And many strawberries grow round the salt sea,
How sad is my heart when my love is away
How many's the ship sails the ocean.
The bride and bride's party to church they did go,
The bride she rode foremost, she bears the best show,
But I followed after with my heart filled with woe
To see my love wed to another.
The first place I saw her was in the church stand
Gold rings on her fingers and her love by the hand,
Says I, ma wee lassie, I will be the man
Although you are wed to another.
The next place I saw her was on the way home,
I ran on before her, not knowing where to roam.
Says I, ma wee lassie, I'll be by your side
Although you are wed to another.
Stop, stop, says the groomsman, til I speak a word
Will you venture your life on the point of my sword,
For courtin' so slowly you've lost this fair maid
So, be gone for you'll never enjoy her.
O make now my grave, both large, wide and deep
And sprinkle it over with flowers so sweet,
And lay me down in it to take my last sleep,
For that's the best way to forget her.